Sewing a Knit Perfect Pant – Resort Edition
It’s time for spring break getaway sewing! Here’s our favorite capsule wardrobe that you can pack into a carry-on and sew up in a weekend.
From left: Perfect Pant Classic & Skinny, Reversible Bell Sleeve Wrap (sleeveless version) and A-Line Skirt, Three Tees. Drape Vest, A-Line Skirt, Drape Jacket.
Perfect Pants are perfect for your resort / winter / spring getaway
Available in classic wide leg, skinny and flare, the Perfect Pant is just that. Sewn in a ponte knit (available in a myriad of colors from online retailers), the Perfect Pant is your go-to pant for spring and summer too! Front and back seaming is slimming, deep front inset pockets hold your phone, your room key and credit card and even a few seashells. The foldover waistband hugs you, hiding a multitude of sins and a pina colada or two.
Skinny Perfect Pant + Wide Neck Tee:
Pair the skinny pant with a Three Tees with a wide scoop neck. Three Tees is a cut-on cap sleeve tee, with nice ease. Cutting a wide scoop neck is easy. Just use the front pattern piece for both front and back, trace your pattern, then trace the neckline ½” - 1” lower (following the neckline’s shape.) Voila! A drapey, wide neck tee. If you’re using a fairly soft recovery knit, use ½” and if it’s fairly snappy recovery, use 1”. Make this in a striped knit. Skinny Perfect Pants in classic navy or even white ponte plus glittery t-strap flat sandals is low key and comfortable outfit poolside in the evening.
Classic Wide Leg Perfect Pant + Wrap Top + Straight Shirt
The Classic Wide Leg is your favorite palazzo pant for spring. Make these in an off-white or oatmeal heather ponté knit for the perfect beach pant. Definitely wear your flip flops or flat thong sandals with this look. Over it, wear a reversible sleeveless wrap top – a bonus for travel with two different colored fabrics (solid or print, yourchoice!) Make a Straight Shirt in a breezy linen or cotton voile for a great sun cover up.
A-Line Skirt or Swirl Skirt + Wrap Top
We love the A-Line skirt for it's versatility - and it's in the same pattern as the reversible sleeveless wrap top. Make this with a foldover band using our Stretch Fabric Waistband tutorial and wear it as a short strapless dress or over the reversible wrap top. Sew and wear the Swirl Skirt as a swirly maxi skirt with the reversible wrap top. We love a higher wedge with skirts and dresses.
Studio Collection Draped Vest & Jacket + Wrap Top
Make both! The jacket with its long, slim, scrunchable sleeves is divine in a stretchy sheer haatchi knit. Because you don’t have to fuss with hem finishes on this, the naturally rolling edges of a single jersey add a beachy casual vibe. The vest is perfect in a navy or army green rayon/lycra and worn over shorter shorts, a longer skirt or any of the Perfect Pants.
Swimsuit
We love a classic maillot swimsuit (and Christine Jonson doesn’t make a swimwear pattern, but you can find excellent ones from KwikSew and Jalie). You can wear the Classic wide leg Perfect Pants over a one-piece swimsuit and feel comfortable strolling to the lobby bar for happy hour. The pattern shown in the resort collage above is from Jalie.
Add to your carry-on a floppy sun hat, your favorite flip flops, flat T-strap sandals, a dressy wedge sandal and your favorite sunglasses and you can fit a resort- week full of fun into one small carry-on!
Multi-Sized: XS-XXL
Classic trouser leg pant fits snug at the hip with an adjustable stretch fabric waistband. Trouser legs with optional deep inset pockets sweep down to a graceful wide front and back seamed leg. Eliminate the center front and center back seams by taping the pattern pieces together at the seam lines. This popular pattern looks awesome cropped!
Multi-Sized: XS - XXL
This CJ Pattern favorite is comfortable and great fitting with a skinny leg that fits snug at the hip with an adjustable width stretch fabric waistband. Slim legs with optional deep inset pockets slide down to a slimming front and back seamed leg. These slim pants are perfect in Ponte or other stable, stretchy knit fabric. The center front and back seams can be eliminated by taping the seams together at the seam lines.