Linen pants and gathered neckline knit top

[kaitlinnegan]

My sewing has been going in fits and starts lately - I finished these pants over about 3 days, and I think the top took maybe 1 day and a half. The pants were made using Simplicity 3796. The top is from the ever-popular Simplicity 4076.

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I didn't get a close-up, but hopefully here you can get an idea of the topstitching:

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I am really happy with both garments. I used my serger and coverstitch machine (using the new big spools of thread I just ordered) for the top. For the pants, I stitched all the seams with my usual Singer machine, then serged them, then topstitched on my vintage Kenmore. This was my first time really using the Kenmore - it runs so nicely!

The fabrics were 100% linen in a "natural" color, slightly variegated from Joann's, and cotton/lycra jersey from Spandexworld.

Now, about those patterns:

Pants, Simplicity 3796
The pattern includes some very nice details including a couple of options for pockets - patch front pockets with or without trim, and some side pockets which I left off. There is also a different treatment for the drawstring casing included - I think it is stitching down segments of twill tape or something like that? It looked kind of neat.

The really neat thing that I didn't notice when I picked up this pattern is the waistband. You topstitch the waistband 5/8" down, then insert the drawstring below that, so that top edge is empty. It's kind of a neat effect, rather than just having the casing there. The one odd thing about this pattern is that they call for a 1 1/4" hem. They were quite long and I wanted to be able to wear them with sandals and flats, so I ended up chopping 2 1/2" off, but then I wished I had left a bit more on - the hem is not really too narrow, but I think a deeper hem might have been better in this fabric. Oh, by the way, I used a straight size 16 (my hip measurement is about 40").

Top, Simplicity 4076
This pattern is a good one. I shaped the side seams a bit more, since the pattern doesn't really have much of a waist. I think I used a size 10 for the neckline/shoulders, which I picked by comparing the pattern to another T-shirt pattern. I might sew it again, with different sleeves. The cap sleeves are bit awkward - I think I would like them better just a tad longer or shorter. They sort of stand away from the body, but not too badly.

[lendube]

Looks real nice, Kaitlin. That color at your face is lovely. I love linen and the natural color is great. Pants are roomy but that's how they should be. If they stretch a lot then you can just reel 'em in with the tie. I just made some linen fitted pants and the waist just stretches and stretches (and it was a bit too big to begin with). Drawstring makes good sense with linen. Good job.

I love 4076 too. I've got some stretch Hawaiian print that's patiently waiting for me to turn into one of the views.

[HeyJudee]

I love the pants! They look like they will be really cool in hot weather. Top is a nice colour and looks good on you. Great job!

[kaitlinnegan]

Thanks Judy and Lennie!

I forgot to mention that I put some elastic in the drawstring casing. I had a pair of drawstring pants that I loved a couple of years ago, but it was a little annoying to either double knot the drawstring or constantly check to see if the drawstring needed retying or tightening. I think having a little "insurance" will be a good thing.

[MartySews2]

You did a great job on the pants & top. I could see the detail topstitching on the pants. They look great on you. A perfect outfit for summer. The color of the top is one of my favorites.
Marty

[ddreev]

The pants and top look very nice. I was going to ask if the pants had a lot of ease in the hip/thigh area but I can see that it does. Maybe I will get inspired to get some made.

[LeapFrog Libby]

Outstanding As Usual.... That is so much 'the norm' for you nowadays.. I love the colors and your comments are always so informative and helpful..

[kaitlinnegan]

Thanks guys! I have a bit left of the top fabric - enough to make another top, probably, which I definitely will. Pastels aren't really great on me in general, so it's nice to find a summery color that doesn't look weird on me. Summer tends to bring out my "autumn" coloring, since I get freckles even with fairly generous use of sunscreen.

Dorothy D - Yes, there is plenty of ease, but do make sure to check the finished measurements (printed on the envelope, thankfully!) against your body measurements. I have generally been making a 12 or 14 in patterns lately, and I made a 16 for this one. I cut out a 14 for the skirt from the same pattern, which has more ease at the hip, but I'm concerned I might have trouble getting the waistband over my thighs..! I can probably eek a little extra room out of the seam allowance, so hopefully that will be enough.

Oh, and I forgot to mention one weird thing about this pattern - it has a mock fly. Not just a fake topstitched fly, but extra flaps of fabric at the center front that one is supposed to press to one side and topstitch to make a faux fly. That seemed ridiculous to me, so I just chopped them off. Maybe it is vestigial remnant of a previous incarnation of this pattern block - perhaps PJ pants or boxers?

[DorothyL]

You look nice and summery. I love the pants. They look so comfortable. I just bought some woven cotton about that color. It is not one of my favorites but people always tell me how good I look in it so I tend to wear it a lot. It looks good on you too.
Dorothy

[sewhappyrtr]

I like the pants pattern alot. I will have to look for that the next time I am in a store.. nice job.