I’ve got a Seamwork pairing to show today. These are the Kenedy dress and Manila leggings, both patterns from Seamwork magazine.
The Manila leggings were included in the January 2015 issue and I’ve been meaning to make them since then – better late than never! I was much quicker with the Kenedy dress, which was featured in the March 2016 issue.
These are the first pair of leggings I’ve made and I’m really pleased with them. I cut a size Small and the fit is good. With the petal shaped cuff added they are a tiny bit long for me (I’m about 5’3″); next time I’ll reduce the height of the cuff slightly as it’s actually quite deep on the inside leg side.
The fabric is from Girl Charlee and is their Solid Cotton Spandex Knit Fabric. The colourway is Heather Grey which I can’t see in stock now, but the Charcoal looks similar. The fabric has 4-way stretch and is a good thickness for leggings – you can see a slight pant line in the photo above where I’m modeling them without the dress, but so long as you are wearing these as leggings not as trousers I think it’s just the right weight. I’ve been wearing them quite a bit and have found the recovery good.
The sample version of Kenedy featured in Seamwork is made in a satin-type fabric, but I immediately imagined it in something comfy for pottering around the house. This fabric is one of the few I purchased while visiting the US a few months ago, it’s Robert Kaufman Shetland Flannel in Red purchased from Gather Here in Boston where I met up with Jenny. It was lovely to sew with and it’s really soft and comfy to wear, but it creases easily as you can see.
The main thing to bear in mind with this pattern is how short it is. It would be pretty indecent without leggings or trousers, so if you want to wear it alone make sure to measure the pattern pieces / add some length before cutting out. I graded between a Size 0 and 2.
Disclaimer: I was provided with spandex knit fabric from Girl Charlee for use in a project of my choice; all opinions expressed are my own.
May 28, 2016 at 9:16 pm
Really like the cuff detail of the leggings and the tie at the back of the dress/tunic. Nice outfit!
May 28, 2016 at 9:53 pm
Lovely sewing and a great write up, as always:)
May 28, 2016 at 10:32 pm
These go really well together, love the tunic. Such lovely details on both of these.
May 29, 2016 at 1:10 am
I have both these patterns but hadn’t really been interested in making them but you’ve piqued my interest so I’ll be printing and gluing today 😜
May 29, 2016 at 9:06 am
Great outfit. The Manila leggings were one of me greatest disasters. I made them in ponte and couldn’t get them over my feet!
May 29, 2016 at 11:01 am
Love these 2. Signed up to the Seamwork subscription a few months ago, but still haven’t chosen any patterns yet. Have had my eye on the Kenedy dress, but have seen so few made up ‘in the wild’.
Thank you for helping make up my mind!
Thinking of a linen version for an upcoming trip to Ibiza…
May 31, 2016 at 2:58 pm
Hi Charlotte
Thanks for featuring our Cotton Lycra, it is currently out of stock but we are hoping to have more soon so keep an eye out. The leggings look great (love the ankle detail)!
June 8, 2016 at 7:36 am
So pretty together! I really love the hot pink with the more moody charcoal leggings. A really nice outfit 🙂
July 27, 2016 at 1:28 am
I love those leggings with the petal bottoms! So cute. I’m always looking for a legging with a little something 🙂 The tunic is adorable too – I love the sleeves – an unusual shape for a cap and the ties at the back are also adorable. Your whole outfit (pinafore and tights) is reminiscent of days gone by and just so perfect together!