Itch to Stitch September Spotlight

Welcome to the Itch to Stitch September Spotlight Tour. Each day, bloggers are taking you along for the ride as we highlight Itch to Stitch patterns that we think have been overlooked. There's some talented sewists in the line up, with some gorgeous clothes, along with some blog tour perks:

Use the code 917itsblogtour25 for 25% off all the patterns highlighted today - and don't forget to check out the other stops for their patterns, and more daily codes.

 And make sure you enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway - see the end of the post for the details of the giveaway and the generous sponsors.

And now on to my highlighted pattern - the Emily Culottes*

Two things I've noticed out in the world of ready to wear clothing are culottes and large leaf prints. So I took the Emily Culottes pattern from Itch to Stitch to make my own culottes with a perfect fit and on trend fabric.

The pattern was originally released in 2015 but has stayed with trend. I remember culottes back in the 80's. At that stage I was still wearing whatever my mum put in my wardrobe, and I don't remember them too fondly (I think elastic waistbands featured highly). However, I'm so much older and wiser now and can appreciate the many benefits of culottes. Mostly they're so easy to wear. All the practicality of a pair of shorts with the styling of a skirt. I could reach all the way into the bottom of the shopping trolley without worrying I was showing anyone a little more than they bargained for.

 They're great for summer if you want to avoid skirt chafing. And great for transitional seasons (we're heading into spring), when you don't really want a solid breeze up your skirt. So far I've paired them with tights and ankle boots, or knee high boots to add a little warmth to the legs.

 As usual with Itch to Stitch Designs, the quality, fit and details are spot on. They have an invisible zipper for a smooth fit. I pinched one from a skirt that was attacked by carpet beetles. The colour was spot on, but it was a little long, and I messed up the top tab position, so I skipped the hook and eye. 

Every great pair of culottes has pockets and the pattern has two options: patch pockets or welt pockets. I went with the welt pockets. The construction was a little different to other welt pockets I've attempted. But I knew to trust the pattern and it would all work out in the end. The pockets are perfect. They sit nicely without pulling on the culottes and are big enough to fit my phone and keys.

 I made a few adjustments to the pattern - based on my measurements - for a better fit. The waist is a size 8 blended out to a size 10 at the hips. I love that I can use the pattern markings to make sure the adjustments are the same on front and back (I'm a big fan of notches). After trying on my toile, I confirmed that I would need to adjust for my sway back. With the yoke hitting right where the adjustment was needed, I scooped out a triangle (with the widest point at centre back, tapering to nothing at the side seams), keeping the length of the top edge as close as possible to the original. It's so wonderful to have clothes (especially pants) that fit properly. Now that I can sew for myself I find it difficult to justify buying ready to wear clothes that don't quite fit.

The pattern includes instructions on adjusting the length of the culottes for a longer or shorter style. One thing to remember is that they are quite wide at the base, so can be a little fabric hungry - especially if trying to match stripes. I have plans for a shorter pair for summer, and a longer pair in a heavier material for winter. The cotton I found is around a broadcloth weight, so great for transitional seasons, but cool enough for summer.

The other bonus with the pattern is a simply awesome technique for a beautiful finish on the inside of the waistband. I won't give away the details, but I think it's a game changer. I always struggle to neatly catch the inside waistband, and now I know how to have a professional finish every time.

I finished the hem by hand. Usually if I'm not topstitching a hem I use the blind hem stitch on my machine and figure that's close enough. But I had the time and the patience, and I can't believe it's taken me this long to give it a go. Even on the white sections of the fabric, the stitches are barely visible.

Finally, after taking photos wearing my culottes (they coordinated beautifully with my Idyllwild top I made for last year's blog tour), I had a bit of fun imagining how I could style them for different occasions. Flat lays are not my forte, so bear with me (and the slightly wrinkled background).

They will pair nicely with my Bonn Shirt, and ankle boots for slightly warmer days.

For something a bit more formal (let's imagine I work in an office) this tunic and nude pumps will work nicely.

And come summer time, something more low key like a Lago Tank and sandals will be great for the beach or a picnic.

And there you have my Emily Culottes. They are my absolute new favourite item of clothing. I have had to restrain myself from wearing them every day. I hope you'll make yourself a pair, and see just how wonderful they are.

But don't head off without checking out the other stops on the tour, and entering the amazing giveaway.

Here are the Bloggers for the ITS September Spotlight Itch to Stitch Blog Tour

September 16th 

Sewing Vortex, mahlicadesigns, Katie Sews Things, Sewing with Sarah, Flaxfield Sewing

September 17th 

Sewsewilse, replicatethendeviate, Needles to Say, Sewing with d, madebymanagir

September 18th 

Jot Designs, Auschick Sews, itsewcolorful, Sewn by Lone

September 19th 

Prairie Girl Knits, happilysewnafter, Back40life, MeMade, La Casa Cactus

September 20th 

Sweet Mama Life, Sewing Scientist, The Petite Sewist, Liviality, Buttons and Bobbins

Visit our Sponsors and enter our Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win one of 2 amazing prize packages:

Prize # 1

Itch to Stitch: 3 PDF patterns of choice

Raspberry Creek Fabrics: $100 Store Credit

D&H Fabrics Co: $50 Store Credit

Simply By Ti: Prize of $20 Store Credit

So Sew English Fabrics: Prize of $40 Store Credit

Sly Fox Fabrics: $25 Store Credit

Prize #2

Itch to Stitch: 3 PDF patterns of choice

Beautiful Textiles: $100 Store Credit

DH Fabrics Co: $50 Store Credit

Surge Fabric Shop: $20 Store Credit

Knitpop: $50 Knitcoin Credit

Rafflecopter begins Monday September 16th and will close at 11:59pm ET Sunday, September 22nd. 2 winners (1 per prize package) will be drawn and announced Monday, September 23rd.

* This blog post contains affiliate links. If you click through on one of the links, and make a purchase I receive a small commission, at no cost to you. I received a copy of the pattern for the purposes of the blog tour. The sewing and opinions in this post are all my own.