Pipit Loungewear Set
Pipit loungewear set in linen
Pattern: Pipit Loungewear Set by Common Stitch
Fabric: Sapphire linen from Fabrics Store
Buttons: from my stash
I’ve been wanting to write about my sewing journey for a while now.. but could never muster the energy. Today is my 30th day of covid-19 self isolation.. and now I wanna write. I’m not isolating alone, I have my husband and dog. I sew on the weekends and evenings after I work my day job as a Graphic Designer.. I realize how lucky I am to still have a job during this time when so many have lost a source of income.
I’ve been pining over every gorgeous Pipit Loungewear set on Instagram for half a year. I knew it would be something I’d wear a lot because 1) I’m a home body that needs sassy loungewear 2) we don’t have central AC in Oak View and I need something breezy for hot days & nights 3) it’s really a cute look.
This probably took me a week and a half of working on it when I wanted to and had the time. It’s funny how your isolated days can still get filled with facetime calls, walks, baking experiments, yoga sessions, staring out the window, staring at the ceiling, etc.
Before I cut out the fabric, I researched what folks changed on their pattern pieces and followed suit, even though I definitely didn’t need to. Here’s what I did:
Added .5” to hips of shorts
Added 1.5” to height of shorts
Added 1cm to front & back of top bodice
French seamed all seams
Put the cuffs on after the bodice side seam was sewn
Let’s talk about the cuffs. They want you to sew the sleeve on the shoulder of the bodice, then attach the cuff to the sleeve, THEN sew the side seams of the top together.. this creates a visible protruding seam on the cuff. I didn’t like that idea so I added the cuffs after the side seam was finished so it looked cleaner.
I did interface the facing. I don’t own a coverstitch machine so I zigzag stitched the outside of the facing. I wonder if it would look better to do a bias bound edge next time.. or would that add too much bulk? I sewed the facing down to the shoulder seams to keep it anchored. It still flops around a little bit and when I wash it, it needs a good pressing. But do I press it? Nah! :)
The instructions say to zigzag stitch the elastic to the top edge of the shorts, then fold down and straight stitch, which leaves the bottom edge of the fabric/elastic exposed on the inside. I didn’t like this method. Next time I will do a simple waistband channel where the elastic can run through. I didn’t need to add any space in the hips, or to the height of the shorts, after all. It’s kind of ridiculous that they don’t have a “finished garment” size chart! The shorts are very baggy, exacerbated by the fact that linen stretches with wear. I just don’t feel great in them looks wise, even though they are very comfortable and breezy. I mean the legs are truly huge. I will probably use a completely different shorts pattern next time I make a set.
The top is so cute that I’ve been wearing it with high waisted pants too. I will lengthen bodice an inch or so next time so it’s more comfortable for me to wear in public. I have the issue where my tops ride up in the front, so the shoulder seams end up sitting on the back of my shoulders and the neckline gets higher and higher. Anybody else have that issue consistently? If you have a tip on how to keep boxy tops situated let me know!
I’m grateful for my sewing practice. It has helped me immensely during quarantine. Cheers to sewing!
Photos taken by me