This year I am doing the #SewMyStyle challenge organised by Alex Bartholomew of  BlueBird Fabrics to push myself to try styles that I would not normally go for. In January I made 2 Toaster sweaters I blogged about here. In February I made the Saunio Cardigan blogged about here.

For March the pattern is Virginia Leggings by Megan Nielsen. Although I like paper patterns, I went for the PDF version. 

To be fair, when I saw this pattern, I was not too impressed. But since I joined the challenge (I am treating it as a challenge, that is), I thought ‘Well I have to make them now’. So I picked fabric from my stash after a long deliberation (to go for patterned fabric or sold colour. The sensible reason won – I decided to go with a fabric that would increase the ‘wearability’ factor). I picked a shinny stretch black fabric which was bought from Abakhan.  The measurements put me between size S and M. However I decided to  go for a small. The changes I made were: to cut out 0.9cm of the seam as I wanted to make them on the overlocker. My overlocker does not like to cut stretch seam allowances off, so I prefer to reduce the seam allowance to .6cm on the paper pattern. I also cut the bottom hem on the petite line. I really like this! Already saved me some time trying to figure out how much to cut off the hem.  I did not really used the instructions, there is no need really. with two pattern pieces. Once I had a pair of leggings ready to be hemmed I tried them on, and decided I needed to  cut an extra 5 cm of the length. So it seems I have really short legs. Boo! For the bottom hem I used a double needle to give it a professional finish. As it only has two pattern pieces it came together very fast. About 3 hours from printing to wearing them. And I love them. I will never buy leggings again. I found the perfect pattern for me to make leggings. I will never buy leggings again. I found the perfect pattern for me to make leggings. Do you have a pattern you absolutely love and you think you’ll using all the time to make garments for  yourself or others ?  Please share them with me, maybe your love for those patterns will inspire me as well.