The March Challenge for Project Run & Play stumped me. I wasn't sure where to take this one. The truth is I've sewn too many dresses and skirts of late; we needed more everyday clothes. And so, at the very last minute -- after briefly debating a swimsuit -- I decided to go full-casual in all knit.
The Peanut put on the top and said, "My shirt has holes in it!" I don't think the pictures do justice to the fabrics here. Even she didn't realize the white knit was textured layered over a black interlock until she put it on.
I kept true to the challenge inspiration, but worked in a size 3 wide by size 5 tall. Then I added length to the bodice before adding the final wide-hem band. I pulled the black & white from my February Project Run & Play solution and used the same coral-colored slub jersey to add a single pop of color at the back tie.
The pants are sewn in my current favorite reversible knit. They are Lazy Days Lounge Pants from Gracious Threads. And the only alteration I made here was size: 3 wide by 4 rise by 5 long -- wouldn't you know it, the width is fine but she'll outgrow them in height if I blink! The waistband is the same horizontal stripe as the shirt hem and the pant cuff. They are incredibly comfy and she immediately declared them her new favorite pants. I kind of want a pair in my size.
I was so stumped on this challenge that I didn't start sewing until the day the Project Run & Play link party was due to close. And then of course the sun was no where to be found ...on the first day of Spring. I woke up the next and day and the sun was still hiding behind the clouds. So I used those extra too-cloudy-for-picture-taking hours to make some new shoe laces in the same pop of coral from the shirt. These shiny laces are made from a polyester remnant I picked up simply because it was the right color. At the time I had no clue where it would find it's way into the collection; I certainly didn't think it would be part of our most casual outfit yet.
Pattern
Tee: Knot Dress by Jess Abbot of The Sewing Rabbit, size 5T with modifications
Pants: Lazy Days Lounge Pants from Gracious Threads, size 3 wide by 4 rise by 5 long
Laces: Self-Drafted (Half-Inch Double Fold Bias Tape with Zig-Zag ends)
Fabric
Tee: Doodles Solid Lace Weave Knit, White; Sew Classic Knits Interlock, Black; Doodles Two-Tone Jersey Slub; Fashion Knit Fabric, Reversible Stripe Black Dot (all Joann's Fabric)
Pants: Fashion Knit Fabric, Reversible Stripe Black Dot (Joann's Fabric)
Laces: Polyester remnant (Joann's Fabric)
NotePatterns that only give a waist measurement are quickly becoming a pet peeve of mine. The pattern for these pants at least offers waist and height. Yet according to the charts The Peanut is less that a size 2 wide but a size 5 tall (and bout to grow into a 6 tall). More and more I'm having trouble sewing to her size. I feel here I would have gotten a better fit (or at least longer wear) from a size 4 wide by size 6 tall -- I don't know if having more measurements would have helped me get there, but I would like to see them anyway.
Love
The play of black & white here. The proportions feel a smidge off to me -- did the shirt need to be longer? The pants wider? I can't put my finger on it. But the pop of color in the shoe laces make me smile and I forget all about it.
Be sure to check out my entire Project Run & Play Collection so far! And remember you can always click Collection 2015 on the blog to watch it grow each month.
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