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!