Hey, friends! Want to see some sewing on this sewing blog? Me too!

I am joining the fabulously talented Melissa from Mahlica Designs for the 2019 Breaking Ground Blog Tour. I mentioned back in January that I was participating by making the Dani Joggers from Laela Jeyne patterns. I was pretty excited to make these because my True Bias Hudson joggers get worn a lot since I work from home now. I like to wear comfy clothes most days and joggers are my new found love. Unfortunately, the Hudson’s don’t go up to my size and I had to get creative with the only pair I made by adding a tuxedo strip down the sides. It worked, but if I want to make more I need to do a whole redraft to change the crotch curve for more depth and add more rise to the waist as those are my biggest issues now. I just have not felt like putting that much effort into a pattern that wasn’t meant for my body. This is where the Dani Joggers come in!

Layla Jeyne was founded by Marisa in 2014, and somehow I only recently heard about them within the last 6 months. I am so glad I did though. Her women’s patterns go from an XXS-3X or a 00-26. She has a pretty great selection of patterns including a couple of swimsuits. But the thing I am most excited about, even though it doesn’t apply to me, is that she includes maternity versions in with the non-maternity patterns for a few of her designs at no additional cost. I think that is awesome for sewists to be able to make both versions for the cost of only one pattern.

I made the cropped length with cuffs in an XL size. My measurements are only 1″ bigger than those in the size chart for that size and I decided that with the amount of ease that the modeled pics had I could get away with it. Also, I used a Ponte knit instead of a woven so I had the stretch factor on my side. Yeah, this pattern does call for using a lightweight woven such as a challis, chambray, or Tencel denim. My stash does not have any wovens in prints that I thought I would want to wear as joggers. Instead, I turned to my ever growing knit stash and I don’t regret it.

The Ponte I picked doesn’t have much stretch from selvage to selvage and none from top to bottom. It is a fun print in pastel blue and pink from Fabric Mart that I ordered back in 2016. I have pulled it out many times since then and just could not decide what it wanted to become. When I decided to use a knit for these joggers it was one of those “Ah-ha” moments. For the version I made, the pattern calls for 2 yards (45″ or 54″ wide) for all sizes, I use 1.75yds and my Ponte was 58″ wide. For the contrasting cuffs and waistband, I used .25 yards of a solid black Ponte from Jo-Ann Fabrics. All in all my fabric costs for this project total $8.93. Other notions included 1.5″ elastic for the waistband, which I magically found in my notions stash, and a drawstring. I bought a spool of black twill tape in the ribbon and trim section of Jo-Ann’s to use. I think I used about half the spool, so I should be able to get another pair using the rest.

Typically, when I sew these days, I rarely look at the directions. I can figure out how something needs to go together just by looking at the line art and pieces thanks to me working as a technical designer in the fashion industry. But I knew I needed to follow these instructions so I could give a fair review here and they are good. They are written in a clear and concise manner that made these a joy to sew up. The only real issue I had was when I was cutting out the pieces I noticed the leg cuffs only indicate to cut one instead of two. That is the only error I noticed. Even the grading between sizes made sense. There were no weird bumps or awkwardness for the larger sizes.

I cannot believe this is the first time I am trying this brand. I am liking a lot of Marisa’s patterns. Next up I want to try the Scarlett Jeans, which are a take on the moto jeans trend. Also on my list is the Sable Sweater. That just looks like the perfect fall/winter sweater to wear on a cold day with leggings while lounging on the couch with a hot tea and a good book.

Have you tried Laela Jeyne Patterns yet?

Check out the rest of the Breaking Ground Blog Tour 2019. This year over 25 bloggers from around the world are joining with me to break new ground by trying a pattern designer that is new to them, try new techniques, new styles, or whatever way they want to push themselves. (Read on for Giveaway info)

The Full Tour includes all these creatives… we hope you’ll visit us each day:

Monday March 11– That’s Sew Lily, Sewing A La Carte, Mijn 11jes & ik

Tuesday March 12– mahlicadesigns, Embrace Everyday, Jot Designs, auschick sews, Raising Stripling Warriors

Wednesday March 13– Musings of A Seamstress, Very Blissful, Sew4Five, Just Sew Something, Hazelnut Handmade, Crafting Through Time, Tales From A Southern Mom

Thursday March 14– Make It Sew with the Bear and Pea Atelier, Ronda B Handmade, SequioaLynn Sews, Sewing with D, The Sewing Goatherd, OOYAmade, My Golden Thimble, Custom Made by Laura

Friday March 15– Sew Cute Couture by Kathy, Sewing Novice, Ronda B Handmade, Momma Bear Sews, MeMade, My Golden Thimble, Lulu & Celeste

Breaking News: our tour sponsor Phat Quarters is offering 2 patterns of choice from her pattern shop to one lucky winner.

Enter Here!

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We’d love to see how you’re Breaking Ground this month. Share with us what you’re working on by using the hashtag #BreakingGround2019 across social media.