We all need comfy pants right!!!

I absolutely love the look of many designers comfy pants (think etc, Augustine, home Lee to name a few).

Now for the most part I do love to support NZ made where possible and I've bought a few things from theses brands, but the pants I have ended up buying have just never been right for me!

I decided to Branch out and try sewing myself some joggers.

I have actually made some in the past through some heavy pattern hacking and winging it. That was hard, and far from perfect. So when Ellie & Mac had the good vibes joggers on sale I decided to snap them up!

The good vibes joggers feature:

"Zipperwelt pocket option ;Side stripe option; No trim pattern pages; Five length options noted in description; Two waistband options"

As per the guidance I sewed one size larger than sizing guide suggested for the legs but kept cuff and waist band measurements the same (in my case I'm XL and sewed XXL for the legs).

I absolutely love the fit! And it was a really easy sew.

I actually drafted my with side seam pockets and made up a little "hack" to prevent my pockets from stretching out (written below).

I did try stripe matching but think I'd cut these slightly off grain so the stripes aren't perfect on the sides.

Ready for photos!?

As for the pockets, this pattern comes with zipper pockets and 1) I wasn't ready to attempt sewing zippers into knit fabric and 2) I'm actually not a huge fan of zippers (they chip my nail polish too easily lol).

To add my own pocket I just drew a shape I liked on the front pattern piece and added relevant seam allowance. I can do a blog post on adding pockets sometime 😊

Now my "hack" which I haven't come across before is to sew a thin strip of grosgrain ribbon into the pocket seam where the pocket lining meets the pant front.

Then fold over and top stitch.

This hack means my pocket doesn't stretch out when sewing or wearing.

You can purchase your own copy of this pattern here.

I really enjoyed writing my last post (about EMMM from peekaboo). I liked looking through all my photos of that pattern and writing down my thoughts.

I've decided to feature a few of my favorite Patterns over the next few posts.

Today I want to show you the Royal Tee. This is a pattern from NZ company, little kiwis closet. You have probably seen and heard this company before in this blog as it is one of my favourites- it's also great that it's NZ owned! 😁😁

You can find the pattern here.

The Royal-tee is a t-shirt pattern designed for knit fabrics which features princess seams. It has the option of short sleeves, long sleeves and flounce sleeves as well as three necklines. There is a standard option and maternity option.

I find the fit to be really flattering for me because of the princess seams. I'm not one for a clingy t-shirt because I don't like my stomach but I do want something fitted enough that I don't feel like I'm in a sack haha. I find this great as a slim for t-shirt but not too tight.

Ok, ok, time to stop talking and move on to photos!

Surprisingly the photos I've found all feature me pregnant! All are standard cut (not maternity) despite the baby bump.

this is a basic (no hacks) short sleeve.

this one is the standard pattern extended a bit with a large band added to the bottom (I only did this because I had a strip of mint fabric left that was the right size for this top- but I surprised myself with how much I love it!)

Now, if you know me then you know I love for a pattern to have options! While this pattern only provides for the basic (not boring) t-shirt style above I have managed to hack this a couple of times...

HACKS!!!!

this one I extended the length and created an a-line shape based off the Agnes pattern by Halla

this is my favorite Royal-tee so far! This is hacked with the hey babie by Halla to allow for pull down and pull up nursing access.

I've been wearing this often post birth- like I say, not too clingy, even for a post partum bod!

Like most little kiwis closet patterns it's simple and easy to follow. Yes, the sleeves are cut on the fold, which actually I like as I'm less likely to mix up front and back and I actually get a really good underarm for with no modifications.

On reflection I've never had to actually make any modifications for little kiwis closet (after I've found the right size).

Overall, great pattern. Do you need it? Most definitely yes. Especially if you're a comfort clothes gal (like me) but want something slimming, more formal looking than a plain t-shirt and some versatility with a pattern.

Don't forget to check out little Kiwi's Closet here!

*Some links in my blog posts are affiliate links which means I make a small commission if you purchase through these links. There is no additional cost to you.

A Favourite Pattern
Eeny Meeny Miny Moe by Peek-a-Boo Patterns

Today I set out to make a post about a pattern I love. To prepare I found photos of almost all the items I've made. I've made 21! WOW!

Well as you'd know from the image above... It's the Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (EMMM) by peek-a-boo patterns.

You can check it out and purchase it here*

I don't have photos of all my makes as it's a bit of a staple in this house and a few plain woolen ones are in the wash.

Get ready for some photos over load!

As you can see there are multiple options for this pattern.

Bodysuit

It can be a fitted bodysuit with snap crotch. This is perfect as an underlayer for my TinyKnight.

fabric: cotton Lycra, short sleeves

Fabric: Merino wool (plain red) & cotton elastane (patterned); long sleeve. I've actually hacked the EMMM with a lap neck here. PAB do have a lap neck bodysuit pattern if you're not into hacking.

I was really nervous to attempt a snap crotch initially but the pattern has really easy to follow instructions for the leg binding.

Secret tip: when I fold up the end for snaps I omit the interfacing and lay down a small piece of grosgrain ribbon to provide strength for the snaps.

Here's some closer up photos of the snaps

Plain t-shirt, hoody or dress

There's also the option to make a plain tee or hoody (I'm yet to make a hoody but love it as a tee!)

Fabric: cotton elastane; short sleeve t-shirt

fabric: cotton elastane; short sleeve t-shirt. self-drafted colour-blocking

fabric: cotton elastane; short sleeve t-shirt. Colour blocking and applique by me.

This is a favorite in our tractor loving household!

fabric: wool (I sewed two layers for extra warmth); long sleeve t-shirt.

fabric: cotton; long sleeve dress

T-shirt over bodysuit

Now here's a fun part. This pattern allows for an attached bodysuit under the tee. Perfect for extra warmth or those active kids prone to showing tummy when on the go!

fabric: t-shirt cotton (outter layer) & cotton elastane (bodysuit)

fabric: Merino (grey), cotton elastane (pandas) & 100% cotton (bodysuit)

My pattern hacks

There's so much fun to be had with a good basic pattern. You've seen above some color blocking and a mash with the lap neck tee.

Here's a sleeveless hack.

Fabric: up-cycled cotton t-shirt & cotton elastane (bodysuit)

I wanted a grunge look which I thought a sleeveless style would provide. Initially I'd left the sleeves raw but it wasn't quite right so I ended up folding under and sewing (like a hem). If I was to do it again I'd probably use bands instead.

This one was a bit more complicated to make a cross over bodysuit

fabric: cotton elastane

I'm happy to do a tutorial post later but essentially I cut two fronts on an angle and placed them on top of each other.

I like the final look but would probably make the neckline a little higher for a boy.

And finally a newborn gown

fabric: cotton elastane

This one was very easy to hack! I just added a few inches to the bottom, folded the hem and threaded elastic through.

If you're not into hacks there is a peekaboo gown pattern.

So overall, yes, you need this pattern!

I love peek-a-boo patterns for kids. I find them a good fit, easy to follow with clear instructions and pictures and good Facebook community support. This is such a quick satisfying sew.

10 out of 10 recommend.

Buy the pattern here.

*This is an affiliate link which means I make a small commission if you purchase through here without any additional cost to you.