{Summer Caye Pants} from Love Notions
I have been busy, busy all last week working on the latest pattern from Love Notions! I just love that Tami has now expanded into making bottoms with the Sabrina Slims being her very first pants pattern, and now available are the new Summer Caye Pants which are available for both Women and Girls. I am always so surprised how Tami's taste for design seem to match my style so well....so of course these are going to be a staple in my summer wardrobe.
***I recently became a member of Love Notions Promo Group after testing for her for more than a year, and I couldn't be more happy with my decision since I just adore all of her patterns. I receive commission for helping test, photography and promote new patterns, and promise to use any type of commission to bring you more inspiration and reviews! This post also contains affiliate links, but will ALWAYS give my honest opinion as I always have.***
If you are at all familiar with Love Notions Patterns, you know that they always come with a multitude of options as well as very clear instructions in the tutorial and any links to help with sizing and fabric options. As usual, she didn't disappoint here at all. The Summer Caye Pants have 4 different length options, including 6" & 9" shorts (4" & 6" for girls), capris and pants with the option for both wide leg or palazzo width. During testing I made both the wide leg and palazzo widths, but for the shorts length option, I definitely prefer the palazzo width (and I believe that is what Tami also recommends for the pattern as well). In addition to the varying width and length options for these, there are also multiple hemming options including a gorgeous tulip hem, split, cuff and standard hem. I mean, could they really get any better? There are so many different directions that you can go with these, and I am excited to fill my wardrobe with them, as well as my daughter's!!!
I am really loving the waistband and the fit of it as well. Featuring a flat front waist with elastic casing only along the backside, they are very comfortable to wear and give them a very clean and classy look. One thing that I did learn while sewing these is to make sure that you use a softer fabric for the inside of the waistband. I used Liverpool from Knitpop for the peach/coral floral pair of mine and it is definitely not a soft fabric on the 'right' side of the fabric. If I use Liverpool again, I will either use a different fabric or flip the inner piece to the wrong side which is much softer to the touch. Although Liverpool is not listed as a recommended fabric for this pattern, I found it to have a more structured look which worked great for the "wide leg" option as opposed to the palazzo width for me.I also made a pair out of stretch Chambray from Mabel Madison which are super soft and comfy, and a pair of Aztec Linen/Rayon Blend from Joanns (ps. sorry for the wrinkly photos...apparently they wrinkled faster than I thought they would). Linen is definitely my top fabric pick for these!
Pockets...of course shorts need some sort of pockets, right?!? The construction for the front pockets are very unique...nothing like I have ever seen before, but totally awesome! The way that they are constructed create a panel across the whole front, which are great for helping to hide the mum tum ;) as well as being totally functional!
The Summer Caye Pants come in Women's sizes 0-28, and for the Girls sizes 2T-16 & 8P-16P. I am super excited to have the 'Plus' option available for the girls version. My daughter has always had a hard time finding bottoms that fit her correctly and are comfortable for her to wear, which is why she tends to live in leggings of some sort. Thanks to Tami now, she has so many options that will actually fit her. While in testing I made her a pair out of Chambray, and when she tried them on she was ecstatic and shouted "I am wearing jeans!!!! And they don't strangle me!!!" Ugh, my heart melted! I SO know the struggle of finally having clothes that fit you well and feel great. She is wearing the 14P with her measurements being 33.5" waist and 36" hips. As for myself, I made a 26 in the waist and graded out to a 28 in the hips which worked great for my hourglass figure. My measurements are 44" waist and 55" hips and the fit was spot on for me!
I just love the fit of these on my body, and will definitely be making more of them in the very near future for myself and my daughter. Right now you can get them on sale through 5/6. You can grab the Ladies or Girls, or if you need both you can grab the bundle for even more of a sweet deal! You can also see Tami's recent blog post regarding fabric options for the Summer Caye Pants!
***I recently became a member of Love Notions Promo Group after testing for her for more than a year, and I couldn't be more happy with my decision since I just adore all of her patterns. I receive commission for helping test, photography and promote new patterns, and promise to use any type of commission to bring you more inspiration and reviews! This post also contains affiliate links, but will ALWAYS give my honest opinion as I always have.***
If you are at all familiar with Love Notions Patterns, you know that they always come with a multitude of options as well as very clear instructions in the tutorial and any links to help with sizing and fabric options. As usual, she didn't disappoint here at all. The Summer Caye Pants have 4 different length options, including 6" & 9" shorts (4" & 6" for girls), capris and pants with the option for both wide leg or palazzo width. During testing I made both the wide leg and palazzo widths, but for the shorts length option, I definitely prefer the palazzo width (and I believe that is what Tami also recommends for the pattern as well). In addition to the varying width and length options for these, there are also multiple hemming options including a gorgeous tulip hem, split, cuff and standard hem. I mean, could they really get any better? There are so many different directions that you can go with these, and I am excited to fill my wardrobe with them, as well as my daughter's!!!
I am really loving the waistband and the fit of it as well. Featuring a flat front waist with elastic casing only along the backside, they are very comfortable to wear and give them a very clean and classy look. One thing that I did learn while sewing these is to make sure that you use a softer fabric for the inside of the waistband. I used Liverpool from Knitpop for the peach/coral floral pair of mine and it is definitely not a soft fabric on the 'right' side of the fabric. If I use Liverpool again, I will either use a different fabric or flip the inner piece to the wrong side which is much softer to the touch. Although Liverpool is not listed as a recommended fabric for this pattern, I found it to have a more structured look which worked great for the "wide leg" option as opposed to the palazzo width for me.I also made a pair out of stretch Chambray from Mabel Madison which are super soft and comfy, and a pair of Aztec Linen/Rayon Blend from Joanns (ps. sorry for the wrinkly photos...apparently they wrinkled faster than I thought they would). Linen is definitely my top fabric pick for these!
Pockets...of course shorts need some sort of pockets, right?!? The construction for the front pockets are very unique...nothing like I have ever seen before, but totally awesome! The way that they are constructed create a panel across the whole front, which are great for helping to hide the mum tum ;) as well as being totally functional!
The Summer Caye Pants come in Women's sizes 0-28, and for the Girls sizes 2T-16 & 8P-16P. I am super excited to have the 'Plus' option available for the girls version. My daughter has always had a hard time finding bottoms that fit her correctly and are comfortable for her to wear, which is why she tends to live in leggings of some sort. Thanks to Tami now, she has so many options that will actually fit her. While in testing I made her a pair out of Chambray, and when she tried them on she was ecstatic and shouted "I am wearing jeans!!!! And they don't strangle me!!!" Ugh, my heart melted! I SO know the struggle of finally having clothes that fit you well and feel great. She is wearing the 14P with her measurements being 33.5" waist and 36" hips. As for myself, I made a 26 in the waist and graded out to a 28 in the hips which worked great for my hourglass figure. My measurements are 44" waist and 55" hips and the fit was spot on for me!
I just love the fit of these on my body, and will definitely be making more of them in the very near future for myself and my daughter. Right now you can get them on sale through 5/6. You can grab the Ladies or Girls, or if you need both you can grab the bundle for even more of a sweet deal! You can also see Tami's recent blog post regarding fabric options for the Summer Caye Pants!
Great set of outfits for both of you. This pattern didn't immediately appeal to me, but I am loving all these shorts, so I may have to take the plunge after all!
ReplyDeleteI have been searching for a good plus size shorts pattern that I could use a woven fabric for and this one was just perfect! They wear so comfortably and didn't ride up at all like shorts tend to do for me :)
DeleteSo much prettiness! I am taking your suggestion for Palazzo width for my shorts...they'll be used for hanging-out/sleepwear and should be super-comfy as well as cute.
ReplyDeleteFor sure! Kill 2 birds with one stone :)
DeleteKiller topstitching on those denim ones.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Something so satisfying about perfect topstitching <3
DeleteHi again Courtney, Just purchased these shorts after reading your nice post in Love Notions. I'm from the older generation so haven't made the palazzo pants, not even sure what they are. What are you saying when you recommend the palazzo width for the shorts? Every single pair looks great on your and I'm assuming that's your lovely daughter! You goth look great and I'm excited to sew a pair of these up.I see there is a lot to read about how to print etc, so hopefully will get started soon. You are a beautiful woman!
ReplyDeleteThe pattern comes in wide width, which fit as a normal pair of shorts would for me--as well as Palazzo pants/shorts. Those have much more width to the legs making them much more "flowy" if you will and not form-fitting (to the legs). As a plus size woman, the palazzos work better for me in the shorts because they give me extra room in the thigh area. I will work on updating my post with this info in case others might find it helpful as well.
DeleteAhhhh, OK, I understand that. Thanks! I'm plus sized as well now. I'm 64 and meds, gravity and abdominal surgery has taken it's toll on my tummy. My problem with RTW or patterns is that to fit the tummy, the legs are always way to big. I haven't looked at the pattern pieces yet, could be I can do some blending....
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! That is how it SHOULD be. If you have a larger tum and smaller thighs, you might be ok with the wide width. Since I carry a lot of weight in my thighs and have short legs, the palazzos worked better for me because they gave me more room.
DeleteThey look great on both of you! I will get so much use out of this pattern this summer :)
ReplyDeleteI am just finishing up my shorts, and I agree with you about the front pocket treatment...it's brilliant! I also love how the back elastic is done...clever, easy, and it looks so good.
ReplyDeleteI need to start making myself summer clothes. I just haven't been fully inspired to yet because it's still been kinda cool here. These shorts are adorable on you, darling!
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I have been hunting for someone with a waist-to-hip ratio like mine to learn what kind of alterations this pattern needs. This is spot on. I am also grateful for the fabric ideas. Thanks very much for this post.
ReplyDeleteHi, I've started to make these and done a calico in size 20. These are tight on the hips so doing version2 in 22. At what point should I consider full tummy adjustment or lengthening crotch curve? Before I do the next calico in the bigger size?
ReplyDelete