Too Cool for Back to School

Hey y'all, raise your hands if you are excited about you kids going Back To School 🙋  Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, but this Mama needs some me-time.  This year, my kiddos are both starting at new schools, so they need to put their best feet forward.  We start by going through the clothes they already have to see what fits or no longer fits, and what gaps there are.  While going through my daughter's wardrobe, we found these amazing Phresh Jeggings that I made her last fall and never really showed off.  So when Suzanne asked me to participate in the Back To School blog tour, I knew what I would share with y'all.  I introduce to you Moto Styled Phresh Jeggings (or Real Deal Jeans if you choose)!

Of course, I'm happy to help you to make a pair for yourself or your special girl.  I started by printing and cutting a size 14 pattern because that's what fit my kiddo.  The front piece is where all the fun happens, so set the rest of the pattern pieces aside.  You'll also need a good ruler, tissue or medical paper to trace your new pieces onto, a chalk marker, and pens (preferably multicolored).

Start by laying out your front piece.  Find where the knee breaks.  This can usually be done by folding the hem of the pattern piece to the waistline.  You can double check by holding up the pattern piece to your model if they are available.  Draw a line straight across, making sure to stay perpendicular to the grainline. Using your ruler, mark parallel lines  2" above and below the knee line.  You may want to decrease the distance for smaller sizes.  Clearly mark these sections as "above knee," "below knee," and "lower leg."  It would also be a good idea to mark the inseam and outseam.  It will be useful to differentiate the inseam and outseam when you are trying to put all the pieces back together.  Lastly, you need to draw a diagonal line for the pintucked piece.  I drew my line by marking 4' above the upper knee line on the inseam and 8" on the outseam.  You can adjust your line to where it is pleasing to you, because, after all, this is sewing and we do what we want.  Label these pieces.

Now that you've marked up your paper pattern, it's time to trace them off and add your seam allowances.  You can do this either by cutting up your marked pattern or by folding your marked pattern and tracing them off piece by piece.  Each new seam you are creating needs a 3/8" seam allowance, just like the rest of the pattern.  

You can cut your pieces, with the exception of the moto panels.  For the moto panels, you want a long rectangle slightly wider than the pattern piece.  Measure 7/8" from the bottom, mark a horizontal chalk line.  Continue to mark lines every 1/2"  up the length of your panel.  Once your panel is marked, you're ready to stitch your pintucks.  Starting at the bottom, fold and press the piece at the marked line, then stitch 1/8" from the fold using your topstitching method of choice.  Continue folding, pressing and stitching each line until you've sewn them all.  Press your pintucks toward the bottom of the panel and cut your pattern pieces.  Remember to mirror your cuts.  You don't want to waste tour hard work.

With all your front pieces now prepped, you should have 5 pieces per leg (10 total).  If you have everything cut, you are ready to assemble your moto-styled front piece for the Phresh Jeggings.  Sew the pieces together, then finish and topstitch your seams.

Finish the pattern construction per the instructions, and et voila, you have a rad pair of moto jeans for the too cool for school girl in your life.  

I promise you can do this!

Don't miss out on any of these inspirational posts:<br />

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Monday:<br />

Suzanne of <a href="https://www.winterweardesigns.com/blogs/news" target="_blank">Winter Wear Designs</a><br />

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Tuesday:<br />

Alyssa of <a href="http://thesewinggoatherd.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Sewing Goatherd</a><br />

Laurie of <a href="https://thebearandpeaatelier.wordpress.com/2018/08/31/back-2-school-with-winter-wear-designs/" target="_blank">Make it Sew with the Bear and the Pea Atelier</a><br />

Diane of <a href="https://sewingwithd.wordpress.com/2018/08/30/back-2-school-with-winter-wear-designs/" target="_blank">Sewing with D</a><br />

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Wednesday:<br />

Suzanne of <a href="https://www.winterweardesigns.com/blogs/news" target="_blank">Winter Wear Designs&nbsp;</a><br />

Jessica of <a href="https://jotdesignsusa.com/2018/08/31/heading-back-to-school-in-winter-wear-designs-a-stop-on-the-b2s-blog-tour/" target="_blank">Jot Designs</a><br />

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Thursday:<br />

Alyssa of <a href="http://thesewinggoatherd.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Sewing Goatherd</a><br />

Rachel of <a href="https://violetsandjewels.wordpress.com/2018/08/28/new-season-fall-sewing/" target="_blank">Violets and Jewels</a><br />

Jackie of <a href="https://jaxxofalltrades.blogspot.com/2018/08/best-dressed-girl.html" target="_blank">Jaxx of All Trades</a><br />

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Friday:<br />

Suzanne of <a href="https://www.winterweardesigns.com/blogs/news/kindergartner-in-bloom-project-run-and-play?_pos=19&amp;_sid=71826dee9&amp;_ss=r" target="_blank">Winter Wear Deisgns</a><br />

Laura of <a href="https://custommadebylaura.blogspot.com/2018/08/back-to-busy-wearing-winter-wear-designs.html" target="_blank">Custom Made by Laura</a><br />

Liv of <a href="https://www.liviality.com/back-2-school-with-winter-wear-designs/" target="_blank">Liviality</a>