I loved this issue, I have a lot of denim in my stash and wanted ideas for using it. I know that Helen Wilkinson ( Helen’s closet) has been a very successful designer for me so I started with Ingrid. Her blog has examples in several fabrics. The pattern was easy to follow and gave a good finish. The trickiest part was threading the dungaree clips.
There wasn’t as much ease as I had envisaged, my fault since pictures and measurements are all accurate. This means the front slit comes up higher than I like but I can’t lengthen the straps because it won’t fit well around my hips.
I am trying again, going up a size and lengthening the skirt so slit comes to knee and not above.
I’ve never had any success with a pinafore til now and my husband says it’s my best make ever.
Definitely recommend Ingrid and I’m planning to try the puff bottomed top.
TAUKO represents very good value for money, a lovely magazine with high production values and interesting articles plus a lot of patterns to trace. Snap this one up if you get the chance.
I’m returning to sewing after many years and this is the first pair of trousers I’ve made since.
The photos are very accurate: these are a modern pair of well-designed everyday trousers.
The instructions are outstanding - the best I’ve come across in the half dozen things I’ve made recently. There is no ambiguity and each step is explained very clearly.
Highly recommended!
Good instructions and really lovely pyjama pants, already deciding what fabric to use on my next pair. Delighted.
I love this pattern and have now made two pairs of these trousers as I liked the first pair so much! I found the pattern easy to follow and enjoyable to make. Tessuti patterns always seem to come together easily, the sizing is very reliable and the finished items are stylish and comfortable. There is a lot of topstitching on this pattern so it perhaps isn’t for you if you hate topstitching but it does result in a very nice finish to the trousers and it’s quite fun choosing colour combinations for fabric and thread. I am 5’7” so the hem sits at around the ankle which looks nice with sandals for the summer. I did add an inch to the leg length for the second pair as I wanted them a little longer. Apart from this I didn’t make any adjustments to the pattern and the fit was lovely.
Good quality paper and prompt service
I liked the look of this blouse and the fact that it could be made in a variety of different fabrics. I bought a piece of very vibrant silkette fabric that wasn’t expensive and thought I’d do away with a toile and go for it. The pattern is relatively easy to sew and there is a video tutorial but the translation from the original french is a bit strange. I thought I’d bought the new updated pattern but wasn’t sure after the video if I had the old pattern or the new,
The blouse came together well but I totally missed the piping step which I will do on the next one. The blouse has a high neck and I think next time I’ll lower it at the front, it was just a little high for me. I like the fact the blouse is relatively fitted but not tight. My fabric had zero give in it and frayed quite a bit so that added a challenge.
I’ve returned to sewing after decades. This pattern is well drafted, has extremely clear instructions and is an up-to-date style. I made a toile, but it needed no adjustments as the instructions on how to adapt the pattern were so clear. I made up the dress in Indian block print cotton, lined with block print for the bodice and muslin for the skirt. A joy to make and I’m thrilled with the result. Thank you for such a great pattern.
I really enjoyed making these trousers, not only are they ridiculously comfy to wear but the process was also really enjoyable.
I haven’t worked with stable knits much, I used a ponte Roma and it was a joy to work with, it handled beautifully and kept its structure once sewn.
The instructions are very clear and easy to follow and the pattern fits perfectly straight out of the pattern, the only adjustments I had to make were to shorten it for my 5’2” height. The stripe reminds me of 90s trousers and it’s such a fun nostalgic throwback.
I really recommend this pattern, I’ve already worn mine so much since making them and I’m already planning another pair.
Terrific pattern. I made in a heavy knit kind of like french terry so it had tshirt/ sweatshirt qualities. I get so many compliments. Made it in red. Will make the skirt version in black next if i can find another heavy weight cotton knit.
Very easy to make, instructions were very clear, the only thing that I would say is that (at least on the size 10) on the back side panels of the dress the pocket markers are only 13cm apart from one another when they should be 15cm apart, it's an easy enough fix but I was a little confused and thought I had done something wrong at first.
Made in a very lightweight denim as a bday present for my sister. This pattern was easy to follow. I would consider myself an advanced beginner (comfortable with darts, scared by buttons and zippers) and I found the steps simple and instructions clear. This was my first time working with binding, but it did not need to be cut on the bias so it was easier to make and turned out great. We found the folds stuck out/budged a bit around the hips. I added a small bar tack to the place where the fold met the pant leg (near the knee) and that helped keep everything flat. Also made a version with shorts that turned out cute but I didn't get a picture. This is my second Ready to Sew pattern (first was the Pekka jacket) and I am a fan!
Like all Prym stuff this is really good quality and it’s difficult to lose because of the bright colour! It’s especially helpful for pushing the needle through thick or awkward seams.
I just wanted to add a note for anyone thinking about buying this pattern who knows they will need to do a Full Bust Adjustment: when I was going to adjust my pattern (Size E) I realised that the dart legs were so far apart already that it made doing any size of FBA really difficult. The dart was already 3 inches wide, meaning that adding any extra width lead to a really big unwieldy dart. You could probably get around this if you had the patience, but I didn’t, so I gave up. I’m still giving four stars because I didn't get any further with the pattern so can’t comment on the instructions or how well everything comes together. Just felt like people should have this info before they buy.
I made a shorts version of these trousers as a wearable muslin. I used a brushed cotton twill fabric with elastane. Also bought a zipper fly expansion, because I think that the button fly just adds bulk in the tummy area. I sized down two sizes because I was using stretch fabric. I like these shorts a lot, they are very comfortable and the shape is nice, but the waist is very high for me, next time I will shorten the rise by 4 cm.
These jeans are easy to sew, the instructions are excellent and the seam in the back gives you extra opportunities for fitting. So far, the best fitting woven trousers.
This was a difficult sew but an interesting challenge. I finished the side seams higher than the pattern suggests as I found it didn't sit well on my hips otherwise. Made a linen version and a heavier flannel on for cooler days.
These are a bit of a tricky sew but the result is worth it. They are well proportioned and have a nice crisp tailored look. The instructions are scant but they have very comprehensive sewalong videos which are helpful.
I liked that it included directions for bra strap holders. I don't like that if I didn't include them my whole chest would fall out of the dress. The dress is cute and it's a nice pattern. With the bra straps hooked onto the dress everything stays in place and its nice in the heat because everything is loose and airy.
I bought this pattern because I liked the Archer pants so much. Here, the insert is on the outside but there is still scope for economising on fabric by cutting some of the pieces across the grain, especially in the striped canvas fabric that I used.
I followed the pattern apart from using binding on the pocket turnings, inside waistband and at the leg hems.
Unusually, I didn't make any notes on the pattern envelope because everything was A OK.
Could have cut the back pockets across the grain too.
Might try the quilted version when I decide to go somewhere cold!
This is a great pattern, clearly laid out with all the right notches and with clear instructions. I used 10oz denim which was easy to cut accurately although it created some issues with layers of fabric. I mainly used clips instead of pins. I finished all the seams, facings and hem edges (to avoid two quarter inch turns) by binding with a cotton remnant and, in addition, used that material for the under collar. Could have also used it for one side of each side slit but I think the neck facing needed the denim body in order to stabilise the collar.
It might also be possible to size up and then flat fell some seams. Hard to do in the "right" size as the given seam allowance is only half an inch.
I did add top stitching on the sleeve to shoulder seams to make sure the seam lay the right way but omitted some from under the arms as the bulk of the fabric made it tricky to do. (I did try but unpicked it.)
Lots of good tutorials out there about which feet help to top stitch accurately. I used jeans thread on the side which was going to show.
I'll admit I didn't make a toile. I pressed the horizontal seam up instead of down and then trimmed it without thinking which means the join at the front is wavy. Hopefully, you wouldn't have spotted that if I hadn't said.
I am actually likely to wear this "cloak of visibility" on deck. Will be a beacon when I pop it over!
I made the top length with simple sleeves in a beautifully soft brushed sweatshirt fabric.
Size 3 graded to 4 at the hips, and slightly shortened bodice and sleeves as I'm shorter than the pattern's standard height.
I used a lightning stitch as I wasn't sewing with a stretch thread.
The instructions with pictures are simple and clear like all TATB patterns.
It fits well and is very comfortable.
The balloon sleeves are not my taste but I would like to make the dress length version at some point.
This was one of the first things I made.
It was a good, simple project in cotton poplin as a beginner (the trickiest part was hemming curves as I hadn't done that before) but it would be much easier now with more sewing experience.
The apron is cute but not necessarily the most practical as the cross back makes it more difficult to get on and off, and sometimes one side will want to fall open/down if I'm bending forward.
I don't think I'll make another one but it was good experience for a novice.
Another clear and simple one from TATB which was very enjoyable to make.
I made a size 3 slightly shortened for my height and it fits well.
I love all of the options in this pattern. I made my first version in two french terry fabrics - a patterned bodice with plain sleeves and ribbing to match the sleeves. I have plans for different colour blocked versions using left overs from other projects.
