Hi my lovely sewing friends!

It’s been a little while since I posted here hasn’t it. (If I can bring myself to, I may write a separate blog post on the ‘whys’ of that, another time). But, anyhoo, I’m back and I hope all has been well with you? Whilst I’ve been quiet on the social front, it wasn’t for a lack of sewjo – I have been sewing (and so far *gasps* with … no fails!) so I have plenty of upcoming posts lined up ;-). I thought I’d start by sharing my most worn makes of the summer and the very first things I sewed on my brand new sewing machine (I got the Pfaff Quilt Ambition 630 for my birthday back in July). At that time, I was looking for a pattern that had the potential to become a basic wardrobe staple, whilst being relatively straightforward to fit and sew, so as to be able to concentrate on getting a feel for the machine. Having spent a few brain-meltingly humid weeks wearing my husband’s football shorts (not my best look, let me tell you!), I quickly pounced on the Emerson Crop Pants & Shorts pattern from True Bias. (It’s available in both paper and PDF formats).

This pattern can be made as either a pull-on crop pant / trouser or a short – both with an elasticized back and a smarter, flat, front waistband. They can be made as a mid or high rise and all views have front pleats and side pockets. The trousers are wide legged and cropped – I lengthened mine – they are actually drafted to hit a couple of inches above the ankle. They are designed for light to medium weight wovens. To date I have made three pairs of the shorts and a full length version of the trousers! Shall we take a look?