Here it is! The first #scaredypants2014 post!
I decided to ease my way into the pants sewing world by sewing up what I would consider the “t-shirt” of pants sewing – leggings!
Espresso Leggings by Cake Patterns
There are a number of “draft your own” leggings tutorials out there, including this one on One Little Minute, but after hearing the rave reviews for Cake Patterns’ Espresso Leggings pattern, I decided to make life easy on myself and try it out. (This pattern is available as an instant download or a paper pattern. I opted for paper and saved myself the hassle of printing and taping together the pattern.)
It looks nothing like any pattern you have seen before. Steph walks you through taking detailed measurements, and then, based on those measurements, you connect the dots corresponding with your measurements to create your very own custom fit pattern. This is such a clever idea! It has all the ease of a predesigned pattern, but without having to fuss around with adjusting a pattern piece that is based on industry averages. You get “custom fit” without needing to complete a course in pattern-making yourself!
When I finally pulled these leggings on, I couldn’t get over just how “right” they felt. They fit my (rather high) waist, my thighs, my knees, ankles, and they had the length my long legs need. I have never felt a pair of pants fit like this EVER in my adult life. There is nothing “average” about the ratios between all my curves and I am thrilled to death that I started off this year with such a successful project. THANK YOU,CAKE PATTERNS!
Legging Fabric
Finding a good fabric was probably the trickiest part of this project. For my first attempt at this pattern, I used a cheap clearance jersey and it didn’t have enough width-wise stretch which caused the legs to pull up too short. Twitter consultants recommended finding some 2-way stretch knit instead. One my second Joann’s search, I was able to find the black cotton/spandex jersey. It is from their “performance” knit line and feels more like yoga pants fabric than a cheap t-shirt. If they had this in more colors, I would buy them all. It is just the right weight for leggings.
On an aside, I put a bit of satin ribbon into the back waist bang. It’s always so hard to tell the front from the back for handmade garments. (I saw this tip on Pinterest and couldn’t find it again. I wish I could give proper credit!)
That covers my January pant-sewing obligations! February is just around the corner. I better get cracking.
(Click for more Scaredy Pants posts.)
If any of you are diving into pant-sewing this year, make sure you leave a comment so I can cheer you on!
Great !! I’m going to take a look on this pattern.
Thank you
So awesome! You inspire me 🙂 (and I love your “scaredy pants” logo thing…)
Come visit me and I’ll help you draft yourself a pattern.:)
Love this post; bookmarked the pattern for later, I will definitely have to try this! Thank you!
Awesomesauce! Love the leggings! (And the leopard print shoes 😉 !
I really really wuv those shoes.
Ooh, that is a cleverly designed pattern! And leggings… I actually do wear those, under skirts. Well done!
They look great! Thanks for the inspiration.
I just made myself some pajama bottoms, and I can’t believe how poorly they fit – and they are just pajama bottoms. However, I was able to drastically take in the legs and then lowered the front waistband, and I think they are wearable now. 🙂
Maybe I need a pattern like this one that you did to help me get the right size!
If you used one of the “big four” pattern companies’ patterns, they have a HUGE amount of “ease” in their pajama pants, and they don’t have a modern fit. So I am not surprised you had to make the adjustments you did. Don’t give up! Mistakes are how we learn!
yay! You sure are off to a great start! I need a leggings pattern that works. I tried to draft my own once without much luck.
then I would definitely recommend the pattern to you!
Thank you for sharing the ribbon tip! I am ALWAYS trying to figure which is front and which is back.