5oo4 Midge Flare Pants and Leggings Release & a BOGO FREE event!

Holy Heck Friends! We have just unlocked something amazing! Flared pants that work for the shorties like me! So the biggest benefit of making your own clothes is you can make adjustments to fit your body exactly! I removed about 5 inches of length from these pants and half of it was from above the knee. Pants I would buy at a store, even those labeled “short,” are about 2 inches too long and the knee placement is always a little too low. Plus good luck finding cute floral pants that even have an option for us shorties! For reference, my inseam is 27 inches. Hello Height Adjustment! LOL

Before I do my rave review about these pants, let me also tell you that the pattern includes a leggings option as well. While the leggings include a bunch of length options, the flare pants are only pants length on the pattern. Here are the pattern details from the website.

The Midge Flare Pants and Leggings is a PDF sewing pattern that includes:

• Women’s sizes XXS – 5XL
• Flare Pants or Leggings
• Colorblocked for both pants and leggings
• Side pockets
• 7 Lengths: 2″, 5″ and 7″ shorts, pedal pusher, capri, ankle, and long
• 4 rises: High, Mid, Low, and Extra Low/Maternity
• Regular waistband options include regular knit, foldover yoga band, crossover, and contour
• Maternity waistband options include full over belly panel, contour, regular knit, and foldover yoga band
• Full, half, or no gusset options

I sewed up the flared pants with a high rise, regular knit waistband with added elastic, and I used the full gusset option. I did not color-block my yoke or pocket panel because I preferred the “dressier” pants look. My fabric is double brushed poly from the Jessica Cee collection. I am in love with the pretty romantic vibe of these pants! I am also loving that these don’t “pool” on the ground because they are too long for my short legs. 🙂 #seamstressishappy

I am so happy that this pattern released just in time for Spring because I am in dire need of pants that fit! Just a minute of self bragging, these are a straight 2x without any grading. When I began sewing 5oo4, I made a 4-5x at the waist and 2-3x at the hip. My waist measurement is down a full 10 inches in just shy of 2 years!! This pattern came together fairly quickly and has pockets so these earn major bonus points from me!

I am wearing this Easy Tee / Jessie Top mash up. I have blogged about it here. The Easy Tee is my go to T-shirt pattern and I have sewn at least 20 of them since the patterns debut. Momma Mia loves the Jessie Dress and is due for a new one. I am sure she will agree.

Both patterns are winners and you will be thrilled to make either of them. So that leads me into some extra exciting news!!!

5 out of 4 is giving away a copy of the Midge pattern with the purchase of any other 5 out of 4 patternon 2/28!! You can make your own sale this time!

No matter which 5004 pattern you pick today, the Midge will find its way into your cart for FREE!! Don’t miss out!

If you are inclined, please use my afflink to do your shopping. I great appreciate it!

Quinn Cardigan from 5 out of 4

Yes! The perfect cardigan to wear with all of my favorite outfits. I love being able to layer my clothes. I am always either too hot or too cold. Sweater on, sweater off, I can’t help it. Maybe I am “at that age.” The Quinn Cardigan from 5 out of 4 Patterns is perfect for when my body doesn’t know how to feel. To show you just how versatile this cardigan is, I put together 4 looks with the same sweater. Here is a short video so you can check it out. 

I am going to talk about the current pattern, Quinn and then I will remind you of all the patterns you see in this video!

5 out of 4 easily makes up the majority of my clothing so this was fun to put together.

When I was planning to make my Quinn, I wanted a “solid-ish” color so I could wear it frequently and with a variety of garments I’ve already made. When I opened a box from the Jessica Cee Collection and it had this gorgeous dusty mauve, double knit fabric inside, I knew it would be perfection! I don’t mean to brag, but I was correct! This fabric is such a compliment to my newly made (and blogged about) Balance dress and this would now be perfect to wear on chilly mornings through the Spring months.

Let’s Take a Look at the Pattern Details

The Quinn Cardigan is a relaxed fit ‘grandpa-style’ cardigan. Quinn can be hemmed or finished with a hem band, and has three different neckline finishes available: Collar, shawl collar band, or regular band. Short and long sleeves are available, finished with either a hem or a cuff. A FBA bodice is included and optional front patch pockets. You can even add elbow patches (ovals or hearts)!

The Quinn Cardigan features:

• PDF pattern and separate tutorial for knit fabrics with 25% horizontal stretch
• XXS – 5XL sizing based on our women’s size chart (see last image)
• FBA (full bust adjustment) bodice included
• 3 Necklines: Collar, shawl collar band, or regular band
• Bodice can be hemmed or banded
• Short or long sleeves, hemmed or cuffed
• Optional front patch pockets
• Optional elbow patches: oval or hearts

I sewed a size 2x FBA graded to a 3x. I removed 2 inches of length from the sleeves. I used the Shawl Collar Band and hemmed the bottom. These simple patch pockets are my favorite things! My next one will absolutely have heart shaped patches on the elbows!

Keep in mind, this pattern only requires a 25% stretch fabric so it will work for so many of your heavier knit fabrics. I think a Liverpool with the snaps and a bottom band for more of a Bomber jacket vibe. I love when I make an article of clothing and can think of more possibilities for the pattern right away!

Patterns from the above video with links

Disclaimer some of these are different versions of the patterns. A few of these items haven’t been photographed yet. 🙂

Patterns used

Quinn Cardigan

The Balance Top and Dress Pattern

The Knot Your Average Top and Dress

The Easy Tee

The Virginia Tank and Dress

Candy Pants Leggings

I encourage you to check out the Quinn Cardigan while it is on sale this week.

This blog contains afflinks which is a commission paid from the host company.

Note to self: You have made it 7 weeks into growing out your gray hair. Don’t not give up or give in! 🙂

Balance from 5 out of 4 – New release!

New Pattern Release

I recently tested the Balance pattern from 5 out of 4. This was a fun one! This pattern has many included options with is pretty normal for 5oo4. Sports Bra, Crop, Top, Tunic (slim or A-line), Mini Dress (slim or A-line), and Knee Length Dress (slim or A-line) Plus 4 neckline options for added fun. Since this pattern has so many options included you won’t even think about hacking it. 5 out of 4 is always generous with their pattern options. Even with one pattern you can make multiple garments and not repeat! I love that. I love that this one pattern can be a lovely spring dress, summer swim top, or crop for layering in cooler weather.

The Balance includes options for

A Sports Bra, Crop Top, Regular Top

PLUS

Tunic, Mini Dress, and Knee length dress with Slim and Aline fit options.  

All of these options include 3 scoop neckline options – High, Mid, and Low Plus a V-neck option.

Don’t forget sizing through 5x and an included FBA.

I made the A-line knee length dress with the built in shelf bra. I have the pattern printed to make a tank option also. I used brushed poly for my dress, but you could use most knits that have a decent recovery. For the bra, I used a heavy weight athletic knit. You want to use something that has good recovery especially if you plan to not wear an actual bra. Also consider using power net for additional support. I am wearing a bra in all those photos because I just feel more supported that way. I love that this dress has strap width and placement for covering bra straps. All fabric is from the Jessica Cee collection. I sewed a 2x FBA graded to a 3x. I removed 3 inches total for height.

You may be wondering why go through making a built-in bra if you are going to wear one anyhow. The reason is so you will have the clean edge finish. I love that there aren’t any bands of binding and it is just a smooth edge. You will need to burrito roll the arm seams which is super easy following the directions in the pattern. You could also just cut a lining at the cropped pattern length and skip the elastic under bust and still finish with clean edges.

Over all this pattern came together quickly and neatly. I love the burrito roll method since you are basically guaranteed a clean finish after some simple under stitching! The Balance pattern is perfect for so many looks, which options do you like best.

Currently on sale, but it won’t last much longer! Thanks for shopping by afflink!  

Not sewing related

What do you think of my new hair cut?? I assume most of my readers don’t know I am hoping to grow my hair out in it’s natural color…silver/white/gray… who knows, we will find out together. I have been coloring my hair since I was 15. I went through many years as a blonde, then blonde with copper highlights, then the brown phase too over. Now I am honestly just tired of the maintenance and I am really trying to be happy with who and how I am as a person. I figured when I had some major growth, I would do a cut to blend things a bit, but my friend surprised me with Birthday haircut this year! Even though I didn’t plan on cutting my hair yet, but who the heck turns that down?! Anyhow, what do you think? 6-7 inches gone! It feels a heck ton more healthy and I don’t miss the length as much as I expected. I honestly wish I would have gone shorter on the top layers, but there is always next time. My hair hasn’t felt this thick and healthy in years. !