Each season, there’s one me-made outfit that seems to rise above the rest. This one is it! A pair of cropped, wide-legged pants and a linen Fringe top – -nothing unusual or particularly earth shattering about these makes. Yet, I find myself reaching for them over and over again.
Honestly, these pants are the best thing I’ve made in a long while!
Like every other sewing blogger, I have fallen in love with wide legged pants. They have the double appeal of being stylish and easy-to-wear. The fact that these were an easy ‘sew’ is the icing on the cake!
Simplicity 8841 is an easy-to-sew pattern with a elastic waist and huge pockets. There’s a straightlegged version and a wide legged version, cropped or full length. I went for the wide-legged cropped version, a look I’ve really grown to love.
I chose lightweight cotton chambray for this version. The fabric is so soft, these pants qualify as secret pajamas for sure! There are belt loops and a belt as well, so if I want to tuck something in, the elastic waist is well hidden.
This modified Fringe top is the perfect mate for these pants.
If you aren’t familiar with Chalk and Notch’s Fringe blouse/dress pattern, I can highly recommend it! It was the darling of Instagram for a while, and I fell in love with the many variations I saw there. Search the #fringedresspattern hastag on Instagram and you’ll see what I mean!
To make my top, I modified View A to give it a bit more of a Safari vibe. I left the upper bodice and neckline as designed (and they fit like a dream!). Then, instead of gathering the bottom bodice panel, I cut it to fit the measurement of the upper bodice lower seam, plus a seam allowance. I also drafted darts on the lower bodice to mimic those on the upper bodice. The pattern suggests you insert the ties in the side seams or in the back bodice darts. I chose to put them in the back darts, and I think that’s part of the reason the bodice fits so well. I love the sleeve cuffs and the button tabs.
The appeal of this pattern for me is the lovely v-neck and spot on fit of the bodice. I’ve already cut a dress version, and am interested in another top, likely another modified version. Yes, I was late to the Fringe dress party, but better late than never. This pattern will be a tried and true that will take me into Fall as well.
Fall sewing is on my mind, as well as a few added wardrobe items for a trip to Italy in September. My sewing machine is fired up and ready for a marathon of projects this month, so watch for more blog posts. There will be a few….:) Happy sewing and thanks for stopping by!
That is a great outfit and I love the blouse.
ThAnks, Nancy! It’s such a great fitting bodice.
Such a great outfit! I can see the appeal
Thanks, Diane, I am loving these wide legged pants!!
I can see why you reach for this outfit again and again–it’s fantastic! I love the combination of the blues, and the top looks great on you. I really want to try wide-leg or wide-ish pants with an elastic waist (full or partial–I’m open!) but haven’t gotten around to it yet; yours show just how good they can look!
(And a trip to Italy soon!!! How exciting!)
Thanks, Mads. I do Love any variation of blue! I think Wide legged pants would look great on you! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
It’s a great outfit! I like the way you streamlined the bottom of the top and took out the gathers.
Thank-you! My modifications were motivated by the number of tops with gathers in my closet…It was time for a change!
Great outfit, and love the blue color of your top! How did you find the Fringe sizing? (Yours looks quite fitted.) Did you lengthen the ties? Can you guess that I have the Fringe pattern? (And love your hack?)
Thank-you, Melody! The hack was so fun to do. The fringe sizing and measurements are one of the first pages in the instructions that you print with the pattern. The fit is really great in part because of the ties. I put mine in the back darts. I didn’t lengthen the ties at all, as I could see they were ample for my size. I hope this helps and that you enjoy your fringe as much as I do mine!
A great outfit, surely one to reach for frequently. Not sure that the wide leg crop would work for me but pairing it with those scrappy shoes is cool. Thanks that you added detailed info on your changes.
This is a great outfit. I had the pants on my potential buy list, and after reading your post, I will probably get them. I’m finding that in the summer I really want easy, elastic waist bottoms. Now I just need to sew some! I also love your sandals! Would you share what brand they are?
Thanks, LisA! My sandals are Miz Mooz brand. I bought them at Nordstrom’s last summer. I’m so into easy to wear bottoms too! I think you’d love this pattern.