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Whew! What a week it’s been and it’s only Wednesday. We’ve been truly blown away by the response to the Fancy Pants Sewing Party over the last couple of days. Excitement is in the air and it makes me want to plan all of the pants sewing. This month, I have three pairs of pants planned with a fourth pair planned as a stretch goal.

Project 1: Persephone Pants

First up, adding something simple and practical to my pants wardrobe. I made my first two pairs of Anna Allen Persephone Pants back in August, and reach for the dusty pink pair weekly. What makes this decision, “fancy?” The high-waisted wide leg pant lends itself well to casual day wear, but looks equally stylish paired with a turtleneck and booties. I plan to use a sienna twill inspired by the Kamm pants pictured above. They’re basically an exact copy of Katie’s pants that you see in this post. No shame in my “fancy pants” game. My wardrobe is in dire need of neutrals and hopefully these will fit the bill.

Project 2: Tapered Jenny Overalls

I’ll be honest in saying that I wasn’t initially sold on the Jenny Overalls when the pattern first released. I’ve been a fan of overalls since kindergarten so I’m usually the first one to fall in love when it comes to them. My mind was quickly changed when I saw these golden corduroy ones made by Sara. I’ve selected a beautiful heavyweight olive denim from Sewing Studio for them and am just waiting for hardware to arrive before I can get started.

Project 3: High Waisted Emerson Crop Pants

The True Bias Emerson Pants have been on my radar for a while now. The one hang up I had with them was the mid rise. I just don’t love low or mid rise pants on myself. If my pants aren’t high rise, I find myself pulling them up all day long. Last fall, Kelli introduced a high rise version of the Emerson pattern and I felt like jumping for joy. Sure, I could’ve tried to alter the original pattern with a high rise, but the fact that Kelli had already done the work and done it well made me add the pattern to my library. I got the pattern back in October and have spent literally months trying to settle on the perfect fabric. Last week I found the above inspiration photo on Pinterest and finally settled on a black and white Grid Plaid Tencel from StyleMaker Fabrics. These pants will be my true “fancy” pants and I cannot wait to get them started.

(Stretch Goal) Project 4: Named Palo Jeans

You may remember that I fell head over heels for Breaking the Pattern by Named Clothing. I made the Kaste Dress from the book and already started tracing the Ruska Knot Dress. If I finish my other three pants in a timely manner, I’d love to use some of my leftover denim scraps to stitch up a pair of Palo Jeans. I’m drawn to the slightly edgy look that the color blocking gives these jeans and I think they’d be a welcome addition to my colorful wardrobe.

Well, there you have it. I want to sew about 20 pairs of pants this month, but 4 is a much more realistic goal for me at the moment. If you want to see more pants that are inspiring me at the moment, check out my Fancy Pants Pinterest board. The other ladies of Sew Fancy Pants have rounded up their inspiration as well so be sure to check out these posts written by Jennifer, Loni, and Katie.

Hello! I’m practically bursting at the seams to finally write this post. Last January, I was lucky enough to team up with a few friends to host an Instagram Coat Making Party (more about that here). A couple of months ago, I was talking to Katie (@katiekortmanart) and discussing a possible collaboration when the idea for a Fancy Pants Instagram Sewing Party came to mind. We teamed up with Loni (@havinsewmuchfun) and Jennifer of (@makerheart) to bring you a January filled with fancy pants, inspiration, giveaways, tips, and of course, dancing. Ready for all the details? Here we go!

What is Sew Fancy Pants?

Inspired by the Sew Frosting Challenge and Katie’s #thehandmadehustle challenge, Sew Fancy Pants is a challenge easily tailored to fit your personal sewing goals. The mission of Sew Fancy Pants is to get members of the sewing community making pants that are their own definition of “fancy” and have a little fun while we’re at it. Everyone’s definition of fancy pants might be different, and that’s ok, we accept all forms of fancy pants. Perhaps one may want a professional looking pair of pants for work, maybe someone wants to dip their toes into the wide leg pants trend, or maybe you simply want a pair of silk pants or velvet joggers. This challenge is for everyone. Each week of January will have a theme, some weeks will have giveaways, ending the month with a Fancy Pants Dance Off and grand prize giveaway. To participate, just sew some “fancy” pants and use the hashtag #sewfancypants on IG. Read to the bottom of this post for information on how to be entered in the grand prize giveaway.

Week 1: Pattern Selection (January 1-6)

First, we’ll focus on what sewing fancy pants means to each of us and share pattern inspiration as well as our personal pattern selections. Joining us as a guest host will be Sara (@thesaraproject_). We’ll have almost daily pattern giveaways so make sure to follow each of us on IG as each giveaway will only be open for 24 hours.

Week 1 Sponsors:

Itch to Stitch

True Bias

Named Clothing

Helen’s Closet

Alina Design Co.

Anna Allen Clothing

Cashmerette

Week 2: Fabric Selection (January 7-13)

This week we’ll be focusing on fabric selections and sharing tips on how to source high quality bottom weight fabrics. Look for posts filled with fabric ideas and maybe even some discount codes. We’ve teamed up with several fabric sponsors to give away gift cards and fabrics perfect for your fancy pants sewing needs. Again, make sure you’re following all four of us on Instagram to stay up to date on these giveaways.

Week 2 Sponsors:

StyleMaker Fabrics

La Mercerie

Harts Fabric

D & H Fabrics Co

Blackbird Fabrics

LA Finch Fabrics

Week 3: Fitting Those Fancy Pants (January 14-20)

This week we’ll focus on fitting our pants. We’ll each share our pants fitting tips and progress. Mac of Sew Altered Style (@macsmakespace on IG) will be guest hosting and joining us to talk about her pants fitting tips and tricks.

Week 4: Fancy Finishing Details (January 21-27)

This week our focus will be adding those special details that make our fancy pants special. Whether its unique buttons, interesting trim, or stylish top stitching, this week will be about the stuff that makes handmade items truly one of a kind. Teri (@teridodds1 on IG) will be guest hosting to chat about the details she’s added to make her pants fancy.

Week 5: THE FANCY PANTS DANCE OFF!!! (January 28-February 3rd)

This week we’re challenging participants to let loose and dance in your newly made fancy pants. When people dance in their fancy pants and post it to their instagram using #sewfancypantsdance and #sewfancypants, they’ll be entered to win a grand prize. Have fun, get creative, and dance those pants off (just not literally off)! The grand prize winner will be chosen by all four judges, as well as two prize packages with winners chosen randomly from all participants.

Grand Prize Package:

$100 Imagine Gnats Gift Card

Blackbird Fabrics Fabric Package (3 cuts of their favorite bottom weights)

$50 Merritt Makes Gift Card

Harts Fabric Gift Card

$25 True Bias Gift Card

$15 Indiesew Gift Card

1 Itch to Stitch PDF Pattern

1 Seamwork Pant Pattern

1 Megan Nielsen PDF Pattern

1 Hey June PDF Pattern

Prize Package #1

2 Yards Winner’s Choice from Threadbare Fabrics

$25 Closet Case Patterns Gift Card

1 Megan Nielsen PDF Pattern

1 Seamwork Pant Pattern

1 Named PDF Pattern

Prize Package #2

D & H Fabrics Pants Kit

$25 LA Finch Gift Card

Deer and Doe Narcisse Pants PDF Pattern

1 Megan Nielsen PDF Pattern

1 Seamwork Pant Pattern

Well, there you have it! We hope you’ll join with us in sewing fancy pants during the month of January. Just tag us in your IG captions and use #sewfancypants to participate. Several of our sponsors will be providing discount codes throughout the month so stay tuned for more information on that and make sure to follow us on Instagram (Nicole, Katie, Loni, Jennifer) to stay up to date on all things “fancy pants.”

Hello! Today I’m happy to be part of the Coffee and Thread Lana Tour. The Lana pattern (grab it here) comes with a ruffle sleeve and top or dress options. At the request of many tour participants, Olga has also added a long sleeve option. Winter is quickly approaching here in Utah and since I’m always freezing, sewing a long sleeved version was a no-brainer.

I hemmed and hawed over fabric choice for weeks. My indecision was made worse by the fact that I felt conflicted over buying new fabric. With the holidays approaching, I’m trying to save some of my fabric budget for gifts. Indecisiveness turned out to be a good thing in this situation because I realized last Friday that it was too late to be ordering fabric and  would have to come up with something from my stash. Upon opening my bin of large knit scraps I found navy, burgundy, and oatmeal french terry (all from Raspberry Creek Fabrics). Jackpot! One problem: I had about 3/4 yard of the navy, 1/2 yard of the oatmeal, and 1/4 yard of the burgundy. There wasn’t enough of any of them for the entire top.

This turned out to be one of those “make it work” moments that made me thankful for Pinterest. I searched “color-block long sleeve top” and came across this pin of an Abercrombie top that immediately won my vote. Recreating it seemed simple enough so I laid out my fabric and got to work. Ready to make your own? Let’s do this!

Preparing the bodice:

1. Cut a straight line across the front and back bodice pieces 3/8″ below the armscye. Add a 3/8″ seam allowance to the bottom of the bodice top and the top of the bodice bottom.

(FYI: I didn’t actually add the seam allowance to the pattern pieces. Instead I threw caution to the wind and just eyeballed cutting an extra 3/8″ where the new seam allowances should be added.)

Now, let’s prepare the sleeves:

2. Cut a straight line across the sleeve about 2.5 inches below the sleeve top. Now your sleeve is in two pieces. Add seam allowances (as directed in bodice instructions) and set the upper sleeve piece aside.

3. At 4.5 inches below the top of your lower sleeve piece, cut another straight line. Add seam allowances.

4. If you want to add cuffs, straighten out the bottom of the sleeve piece that is angled in and out for the hem. Here your just omitting small bit that angles in from the bottom of the sleeve. just cut straight down instead. 

5. Cut two cuffs. My cuffs were approximately ( 7″ x 5.5″) for a size six.

That’s it. Now we’re ready to sew. 

Assemble color-blocked pieces:

6. Using a 3/8″ seam allowance, stitch the front bodice top and front bodice bottom right sides together along the line you cut in step 1. Repeat for back bodice pieces. 

7. Again, using a 3/8″ seam allowance, stitch the top sleeve piece to the the middle sleeve piece along the line you cut in step 2.

8. Use a 3/8″ seam allowance to stitch the bottom of your middle sleeve piece to the top of your lower sleeve piece along the line you cut in step 3.

Finishing your color-block Lana:

9. Assemble top according to pattern instructions. If not adding cuffs, hem sleeves. 

10. Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, stitch cuff to itself along short edge. Repeat for second cuff. 

11. Fold cuff in half and attach to sleeve using a 3/8″ seam allowance. If you’ve never attached a cuff, check out this post for some photos and more detailed instructions. 

You’ve done it! Put on your cozy new Lana and enjoy!

I’ll leave you with a few notes on sizing for this specific top and what I’d do differently if I made this again. First, the inspiration picture shows a slouchier look than the one I’ve achieved here. I was between a 4 and a 6 in sizing and opted for a 6. Next time, I’d try an 8 or even a 10 for a true slouchy fit. I did end up adding 1 inch to the bodice length and think it turned out just right. Second, due to fabric restraints, I ended up adding a seam down the center of the lower bodice back. It’s not too noticeable, but next time I’ll make sure I have enough fabric to avoid this. 

Overall, I’m happy with the outcome of this top and see it being worn regularly throughout the coming months. The french terry is just warm enough to be comfortable for winter layering without the worry of overheating once I’m back inside a heated space. It was a quick, satisfying sew that made me feel good about using up some decent scraps. Since I usually use knit scraps for baby sewing, finding a way to use them for myself was quite rewarding. 

Thanks for reading! I’ll be back real soon with new makes and projects that have me feeling all the excitement.