Jocole Essential Pants Sew Along Day 2

Jocole Essential Pants Sew Along

Day 2

We're starting out the day with these things on hand:

• Pants front and back

• Pockets (front and back)

Here we go!  We'll start with the Optional Pocket Instructions.  Finish the edges of the pockets by serging or zig zag stitching.  Iron the top edge under at 5/8in and the side and bottom edges 3/8in.

Topstitch the top fold of the pocket.  I chose to use a twin needle, but one line of stitching is just fine.  I knew that I wanted to do most of the topstitching with a twin needle(and let's face it, I get really excited when I get to use a twin needle.  I know, once again you think I'm weird!).

Here is where the marks from the pattern come in handy.  Line up the corners of the pocket right at the marks on the pants back pieces.  Pin the pockets in place.

Stitch the pockets in place.  I used a twin needle(bwahahaha) to stitch down the pockets.  Cute, huh!  It looks like the pocket is crooked but it's supposed to be that way.

Line up the front and back pieces at the side seam, opposite of the crotch side.  Pin. (I know there are some people that HATE to pin, so that's totally up to you.  Don't tell, but I rarely pin.  The only time I pin is when I have to be really careful about lining up fabric.)

Finish the side seams.  If you don't have a serger, it is always acceptable to zig zag stitch the seams.

Open up the pants and iron the seam flat.  I also topstitched the seam(with a twin needle, ha ha!), that is totally optional.  Below, both panels are showing the topstitching.  I also made the front pockets, again optional.  I played around and made the pockets functional instead of faux pockets.   After I spent time banging my head against my sewing table about the stupid pockets, Jodi made a pattern and I wrote some instructions for the Inset Pockets.  Awesome! It was soooo much easier than I was trying to make it!

That's all I have for today!  Let me know if you have any questions.  Get ready for tomorrow, we're ironing and working on the crotch.  I'm showing an alternative to the pattern for sewing the pant legs, so don't miss it!

Jocole Essential Pants Sew Along Day 1

Essential Pants Sew Along

Day 1

I'm so glad you are joining me for the Essential Pants sew along.  I just love doing sew alongs and I love to see all the different creations made from one pattern!  So fun!  Let's go ahead and get started.

  Today is preparation day, so we have what some would consider the not so fun part.  Personally, I LOVE to cut and tape.  Really, I'm not just saying that.  I must not have been allowed to use scissors and paper as a kid because I just love this part.  I think I also like to figure out where each page belongs, I love puzzles(now you think I'm a total weirdo).

First, print your pattern.  You will need pages 18-28 for the pattern pieces, it's up to you if you want to print the instructions as well.  I never print the instructions, I just save my file to dropbox and open it when I'm ready to sew.

When you are taping, it's important to notice that the leg portion is not printed for the front and back panels.  To conserve paper, the front and back pieces take turns being attached to the leg.  You can see below that I have a back attached to the leg and the front piece is waiting for the leg.  I didn't attach pages 1&2 and 3&4 to the leg panel, I kept them separate so that I could change out the leg panel.  You can certainly print two leg portions so that both the front and back pieces have a full leg.

After taping the pattern, you may want to transfer the pattern onto freezer paper.  I like to do this so that I don't cut a size, and then later have to reprint because I want a different size.  I have a tutorial on transferring a pattern to freezer paper here.  Be sure you transfer all markings onto the freezer paper, the pocket marks are particularly important.  I ironed my freezer paper onto my fabric instead of pinning, that's one handy dandy benefit to using freezer paper (yes, it works on wovens too).

There is a tutorial for making faux front pockets here, now is the time to look at the tutorial and make adjustments.  If you want real pockets, see the Inset Pocket tutorial here.

Notice that there are several options for the Essential Pants; shorts, capris and full length.  I'll be making the shorts since we are hopefully going to head into warmer weather soon.  I've seen several people ask if this pattern is appropriate for boys, I absolutely think it is a unisex pattern.  If you don't like the flare on the legs, take the cutting line straight down from the hips.  Just use a ruler and take it straight from the hip to the hem cutting line.

We are ready to CUT!  I bet you thought I would NEVER get there.  Sorry, I have typed a lot today but I won't usually have this much to say (but don't ask my family about how much I usually have to say, they might not be so nice!).  Cut the pants (shorts or capris), front and back pieces and the pockets.

Don't forget to cut out your pockets!

Yay for finishing Day 1!  I know it is SOOOOOO tempting to just keep going, but hold tight with me.  You know you need to do laundry anyway.  :)  Come back tomorrow for sewing up the side seams and pockets.

Jocole Essential Pants Sew Along Schedule

Jocole Essential Pants Sew Along

Jocole Coupon Code: "shortypants" good for 25% off entire cart (excludes bundles and Quick Dress).  Good 3/8/14 - 3/10/14

Supply List:  

• Coordinating Fabrics (washed and ironed)

• 3/4" Elastic

• Essential Pants Pattern 

• Freezer Paper (optional)

• Twin Needle

Day 1:

• Preparation day

• Print/tape Pattern

• Cut desired size (front/back pieces of pants and pockets)

Day 2:  Steps 1-5

• Side seams

• Pockets (steps 1-6 in pocket instructions)

Day 3:  Steps 6-17

• Ironing hems 
• Waistband ironing
• Crotch

Day 4:  Steps 18-24

• Hem
• Waistband
• Elastic

Mix & Match Sew Along and Contest details

Are you ready for a Sew Along and CONTEST ?? I wanna see what *YOU* make with the Mix & Match Series patterns

Basic Empire Bodice, Sassy Dress Bottom, Sweet Flounce Sleeves
Metallic Slinky Knit from SpandexWorld.com

My FAVORITE thing about the Mix&Match series is how versatile they are.  Every time someone shares a picture of something they made with the series they are *always* different.  I just did the math and you can make 400 different dresses and tops with this series.  Talk about a BARGAIN ... it's like *endless* options.  I can always make something different ... or embellish it differently ... or change up something.

I've been wanting to DO something with the series so you lovely ladies can try them out and see just how much FUN they can be.  

So let's start with a GIANT sale ... are you ready?!  The *entire* Mix&Match collection of patterns will be HALF OFF *ONLY* on August 7th (ends midnight PST).  (**M&M Bundles excluded)

Available from nb-14 *and* xs-xxxl (23 different sizes) ... now *that* is a LOT of options !!!

Links to Purchase:

ALL Mix&Match Patterns

Bodices

Bottoms

Sleeves

Sew Along Schedule:

Below is the schedule we'll be following (so you can plan ahead).  Each day I'll be posting new things on the blog.  Tips & tricks ... new tutorials ... you just never know what  might show up.

Wednesday August 7th:

Purchase Mix&Match patterns for HALF OFF from jocole.com

Thursday August 8th:

Start planning out YOUR Mix&Match design.  

Order fabric from your favorite knit fabric sources (or purchase locally at your fabric store).

I *LOVE* the knits from GirlCharlee and from SpandexWorld

*twiddle your thumbs waiting for fabric!!  Make something from your fabric stash while you wait :)

Monday August 19th:

Print your pattern pieces, tape pages together and cut out desired size and length

     *bodice, bottom, sleeves

     *tape the bodice & bottom pattern pieces together as shown in the directions if you do NOT want an empire seam

Tuesday August 20th:

Start putting together your bodice ... finish your shoulders, neckline

Wednesday August 21st:

Add your sleeves (if desired) ... hem ... stitch up side seams

Thursday August 22nd:

Stitch up your bottom following your directions ... add to the bodice

Friday August 23rd:

Post your finished Mix&Match pictures in the album found **HERE** in the Jocole Patterns FB Group.

Monday August 26th:

Judging STARTS

Wednesday August 27th:

Contest winner will be announced

Crossover Tunic or Dress: Sew Along Day 4

There is *still* time to catch up ... if you already haven't picked up the pattern you can get the Girls Sizes HERE or Ladies Sizes HERE ... both patterns are available from Jocole.  These sew up SUPER fast and you're gonna love them.

Today we're doing Steps 11 through 19.

STITCH skirt pieces together along the side seams, RIGHT sides together.

HEM skirt pieces.

SLIP the bodice inside the skirt, making sure to align all the raw edges and match the side seams.

STITCH bodice and skirt pieces together.

TOMORROW: We'll be posting pictures!!!

Crossover Tunic or Dress: Sew Along Day 3

There is *still* time to catch up ... if you already haven't picked up the pattern you can get the Girls Sizes HERE or Ladies Sizes HERE ... both patterns are available from Jocole.  These sew up SUPER fast and you're gonna love them.

Today we're doing Steps 6 through 10.

STITCH side seams.

Align the bodice front pieces at the center front mark, BASTE in place 1/4" from edge.  Make sure to catch both ends of your binding.

TOMORROW: We'll be doing Steps 11 through 19.  Stay tuned ...

Crossover Tunic or Dress: Sew Along Day 2

There is *still* time to catch up ... if you already haven't picked up the pattern you can get the Girls Sizes HERE or Ladies Sizes HERE ... both patterns are available from Jocole.  These sew up SUPER fast and you're gonna love them.

Today we're doing Steps 1 through 5 ...

STITCH shoulders together.

BIND around the neckline and sleeve edges using the binding strips.  Complete instructions can be found in the sewing instructions included in your pattern.

 TOMORROW: We'll be doing Steps 6 through 10.  Stay tuned ...

Crossover Tunic or Dress: Sew Along Day 1

There is *still* time to catch up ... if you already haven't picked up the pattern you can get the Girls Sizes HERE or Ladies Sizes HERE ... both patterns are available from Jocole.  These sew up SUPER fast and you're gonna love them.

Today we're doing some preparation work.

If you have ANY questions the Jocole Pattern facebook group is a great place to ask them. 

Have you seen the FREE tutorials on modifying this pattern???
Adding Sleeves
Maxi Length Adjustment
Halter Adjustment

(1)     PRINT out pattern pages at 100%.  Make sure that page scaling is set to "None".

(2)     TRIM margins and TAPE pages together.  Matching triangles to create diamonds and lining up the 1" grid lines.

(3)     CUT out desired size along the corresponding line.

(4)     CUT out pattern pieces from FABRIC.  Make sure you cut out 2 opposite bodice front pieces.  You should have a total of 5 pieces: 2 bodice fronts, 1 bodice back, 2 skirt pieces.

 TOMORROW: We'll be doing Steps 1 through 5.  Stay tuned ...

Crossover Tunic/Dress: Sew a Long Day 1

Are you ready for another Sew a Long??  I know *I* am ... yup I can't stop thinking about it.  The last one for the Leggings was just toooooo much fun.  It's like having a long distance sewing party with your girlfriends ... and then at the end we all share our creations and pictures.

I've decided to do another pattern with a HUGE size range ... I want to make sure everyone can participate. Let's do the Crossover Tunic and Dress this time around.  The girls pattern ranges from sizes 12m through 14 ... and the ladies pattern ranges from sizes xs through xxxl.

Links to purchase are below (the patterns will be HALF OFF tomorrow - Wednesday June 19th)... and I'll be adding more FREE tutorials on modifying the pattern.  Oh I LOVE this one.

Girls Sizes HERE

Ladies Sizes HERE

Below is the schedule we'll be following (so you can plan ahead).  Each day I'll be posting new things on the blog.  Tips and tricks ... new tutorials ... you just never know what might show up.

Schedule:

Wednesday June 19th:

Purchase pattern(s) for HALF OFF

Thursday June 20th - Sunday June 23rd:

Purchase fabric for patter if needed

Monday June 24th:

Print pattern, tape pages together and cut out desired size and length.

Tuesday June 25th:

Steps 1 through 5

Wednesday June 26th:

Steps 6 through 10

Thursday June 27th:

Steps 11 through 19

FREE Tutorials:

Sleeve Modification