I just realized I should probably call this ensemble the ’88 or something of that nature, since both pattern numbers end in 88. What are the odds, eh?
Anyway, new outfit! I’m not even going to both separating these into 2 posts since they are pretty simple on their own. Both pieces were SO quick & simple to make – that crop top took maybe 2 hours. Amazing!
I made the trousers first, so we will start with those. They are Simplicity 3688, you know, the incredibly-famous-incredibly-flattering-incredibly-EASY pattern that everyone has been raving about? I was mildly curious (and also interested in making some high-waisted trousers that didn’t involve a front-fly zip), so I picked it up at the most recent $1.99 sale. This pattern is pretty sweet, I must say! I only made a couple of very simple adjustments – tapered the waist in to fit, and added a little bit of room at the back for teh heiny – and the fit is pretty spot-on. I didn’t even have to adjust the crotch length like I normally do. SWEET. SO SWEET.
Here they are with my very favorite crop top, a sweet little embroidered Hungarian piece from the 60s. I love this top, but unfortunately it is old as shit & totally falling apart (it’s made out of some class of sheer cheesecloth-type fabric). So I have to be careful with it when I do wear it – otherwise, it is restricted to wall art haha.
My only beef with this pattern is the available sizing – it only goes down to a 10. I really should have graded down the waist to an 8 or maybe a 6, but it doesn’t go any smaller than the 10. Sadly, I don’t think I will be making the blouse or the jacket from this pattern – as darling as they are – because they are simply too big. BOO. Why not offer all sizes, Simplicity? I’ve seen you try to do this with the bigger sizes too. Sneaky sneaky.
The fabric is a *very* lightweight denim chambray – it might even be too light for pants, these kind of looks like pajamas. Perfect for summer, though š The waistband has a bit of horsehair interfacing for stability.
I finished these as simply as possible – serged seams, topstitched waistband, side lapped zipper. They close with 2 hooks & eyes.
Now for the crop top, McCall’s 4488…
Ahahah, I bought this pattern at the flea market a couple of months ago. It’s so ridiculous! Honestly, I thought the seaming was kind of tacky, but it actually looks a lot better made up. The fabric is some weird stretch knit that I bought at the thrift store for $2.
There’s not much to say about this shirt. It’s very simple, and actually kind of flattering. I’d like to make it in a longer version, maybe even with long sleeves for winter.
The side stripes did originally match up, but I had to take quite a bit in to get it to fit, so now they don’t match. Wah wah. They actually look quite good, considering that I did not take the stripes into account AT ALL when cutting this.
Here’s a scandalous mirror shot of how it looks without the high-waisted – HAHA. Ummmm I don’t think I’ll be wearing it out like this!
The finishing was pretty interesting for this – there is a very narrow facing at the neckline, which is folded back & then top stitched according to the instructions. It looks very similar to ribbing, actually. The sleeves & hem are just stitched down with a twin needle.
On a side note, yesterday we celebrated America by eating hot chicken. In 100*+ degree heat.
At the Music City Hot Chicken Festival – we waited in line for over an hour!
Hurts so good.
If you’ve never had hot chicken… uhhh I don’t exactly know how to properly describe it. It’s not necessarily spicy. It just sets your mouth on fire. Definitely an experience if you like to inflict pain yourself haha.
So there ya go. AMERICUHHHH.
So adorable! I love this outfit, it’s not anything I would ever wear but girl you make it look so effortless!
I love those trousers. I’ve made them, too. I gotta make more of those.
It’s amazing how well these two pieces from different eras look together. It must be the 88 ness. I keep hoping that the perfect pants pattern is out there waiting for me. from the looks of yours, this could be it.
What cool pants! They’re definitely a piece I think only few can wear but you pull it off!
I like those pants on you. Maybe I’ll get around to making them if I ever get over my fear of SCARY PANTS. Now, when you say $1.99 sale on Simplicity patterns do you mean online or at Joann’s? Because we don’t have Joannn’s in Canada and the Simplicity patterns NEVER seem to go on sale online. Seems McCalls/Vogue does a big sale every other month or so and the best sale I’ve seen on the Simplicity site is like, $6.99. LAME. Which basically means I have never sewn from a modern Simplicity pattern because I am cheap.
Haha, it’s a Joann’s sale – pretty much the ONLY thing Joann’s is good for, as far as I’m concerned. They frequently go on sale for $1.99, $1, or 5/$1 here š
I love the pants! I bought that pattern ages ago, and I really need to try it out when I’m finally in the same place as my sewing machine.
Adorable!
Im a fan of this ’88 outfit making (in bingo terms that’s 2 fat ladies which is in no way relevant here except in irony you cute willo the wisp!) Anyways have you really endorsed these trousers as the perfect high waisted-wide legged ones? I am so trying to resist buying this one, but there are many satisfied sewers out there & now you ….Intrigued that you used horsehair – i havent tried it ever- sounds worth investigating.
the top is cool as anything – perfect for the temperatures you live in – guess that means it’d get zero wear in this country ha ha ha!
How have I missed all the hoopla about these pants?! Now I’m gonna have to wait for the next pattern sale because you’ve totally convinced me. They look great! And yeah… that crop top is super cute with the high-waisted pants, but boy can it go wrong fast with low-rise jeans! haha
Great pants, they look fantastic on you!
Mega cute outfit. That’s another tick for 3688, they look gorgeous.
Awesome look! I wish I could pull off crop tops. That hot chicken looks delicious. I LOVE chili and anything spicy for that matter.
Cute!
Dude. SO cute! I like how substituting the lack of shirt with more pants makes it a totally acceptable clothing situation lolz. Waaaay cute!
Look at you! So cute! I agree, the high-waisted trousers make a crop top totally cool! I would never want to wear one with low-rise jeans, but I would totally rock this outfit.
Cute! You have such a cute little figure for this sort of look!
I’m another one who’s made these trousers and agree they’re easy to make and SUPER flattering. You look gorgeous in them (and in that adorable crop top). it’s nice to see them in a lighter colour too. Hmmm, got me thinking now! X
Hi Lladybird! I found your blog and I’m very interested in sewing my own clothes (recently succeeded too!), so I subscribed to your posts.
I love your new outfit! The top is my favorite, and who cares if the side stripes don’t meet? They are under your arms. The front looks great, and it looks very comfy.
Thanks for sharing!
I am shamelessly going about the blogging world begging for someone to send me the instructions to this pattern (which I own, but appear to have LOST the instructions to when moving countries). I can do the top without any now (BTW if you haven’t made the top that comes with this I recommend). But I now have some beautiful tweed which would be perfect for the pants…and, well *arghh* Anyway, if you feel like doing a random blogger stranger a solid, I will be very grateful!
Of course! š I’d be happy to scan them and email them to you – you’re referring to the Simplicity 3688, yes? Not the crop top pattern? Send me an email and I’ll get those instructions to you. I have tons of vintage patterns that are missing the instructions, so yeah, I know the pain!
Awesome! Thanks so much!