This week at Greenstyle is Favorite's Week, and today is my turn to gush all about my favorite Greenstyle pattern! For me, this was a no-brainer! The Brassie joggers of course!! It was the first pattern I tried from Greenstyle, and I still can't get enough of this pattern!
My style as a mom revolves around one word: COMFORT. If I am not comfortable in something, no matter how much I love the fabric or love the look. I just won't wear it. About 2 years ago, when I made my first pair of Brassie joggers in a French terry, I made another pair, and then another, and now I am in the double digits and have lost count. I am totally hooked.
I have since used so many fabrics: cotton lycra, double brushed poly, athletic brushed poly, jacquard distressed knit, and sweatshirt fabric. I think the key to picking the right fabric for me is making sure it has some spandex content. Fabrics without spandex in them tend to sag in the bottom after a full day of wear. That is never flattering!
The Brassie joggers are at the top of my list of momiform items in my closet. I have Brassies that I wear at home all day with the kids, out and about when busting through my list of errands, working out at the gym, or for sleeping. They are my favorite lounge pants and my favorite put together pants. In the words of my mother-in-law: "You can dress them up, and you can dress them down!"
I wear Brassie joggers year-round. I make a stack of shorts using the shorts cutline in the summer and then wear my pants version from Fall to Spring. I blogged about the Brassie joggers a year and a half ago when I was pregnant and making shorts for the summer (you can read that here). You can also see some distressed knit Brassies that I made here.
Another awesome thing about Brassies are that they fit me in all my diverse stages: pregnant, not pregnant, postpartum, too much cake. They are just forgiving and loving. And after too much wear, they still hug me just right for pajamas. If I have been out wearing jeans or something structured, I immediately go find a pair of Brassies to wear when I get home.
For this blogpost, I made two new pairs. This olive pair is from a distressed denim COTTON LYCRA from Jumping June Textiles. I was so excited that I got this pair out of one yard! I had to cut my waistband and cuffs against the grain to make it work (which was fine because this fabric is just as stretchy against the grain as with it). This is my 4th pair in cotton lycra. As long as you aren't using thin cotton lycra, it works just fine for brassie joggers. If you live where it is really cold, though, you may want a thicker fabric like sweatshirt fleece or a heavier French terry.
The next pair that I made for this blogpost is out of a French Terry. This is a poly based one that I picked up at Wherehouse Dallas. It only has about 35% horizontal stretch and no vertical stretch so I did not use it for the cuffs and waistband. For those, I used a heathered blue cotton lycra from Made Whimsy.
On the Brassie size chart, my waist measures a XS and my hips measure a Small. I only make a Small if I am pregnant, or if I am my regular size, I make a small if I am using fabric with only 25% stretch like sweatshirt fleece and some French terries. If my fabric has any decent stretch, I make an XS with the S crotch curve. Both of the pairs that I made for this blogpost are an XS with the S crotch curve.
I use the low rise option in the pattern. It also comes with a midrise option.
I cut at the 30 inch inseam cutline and remove 3 inches of length for my 27 inch inseam. I remove 1 inch at the lengthen/shorten line, a second inch 7 inches below that, and another inch 7 inches below that. I like to spread my height removal out rather than in one drastic place.
Adjustments
I grade my calves down to the XXS, and then, starting at the capri cut line (which lands right at where the thick part of my calf ends), I draw in the next size down and grade to that. I like the calves to be a little slimmer and not baggie after I attach the cuffs. I don't grade my calves down at all if making the non-cuffed version.
I grade my calves down to the XXS, and then, starting at the capri cut line (which lands right at where the thick part of my calf ends), I draw in the next size down and grade to that. I like the calves to be a little slimmer and not baggie after I attach the cuffs. I don't grade my calves down at all if making the non-cuffed version.
I also usually don't use the waistband included in the pattern because I don't like enclosed elastic firm against my tummy (but if I make it too loose my pants fall down!). So instead, I use a cotton lycra with a higher spandex content, supplex, or an athletic knit that has great recovery for the waistbad and cut mine at 24 inches long times 6.5 inches tall. If I really want a lounge look, I will put two buttonholes and string a drawstring through it, but the drawstring is not really functional since the waistband is doing the work of keeping my pants up. My natural waist is 26.5 and my actual waist where I wear my pants is 30 inches. I always try my waistband on first, too, because every fabric feels different and may need to be smaller or bigger.
Lastly, I make my pockets into a pocket bag style. To do this, I print two pocket pattern pieces. On the second pocket pattern piece, I lay my pants pattern piece on top of it, and draw a line where the pants pattern piece meets, cut off the excess top, and use this pattern piece as my pocket lining/bag. Sometimes I attach that with a band f I want contrast to show at the pocket edge, or I just put the lining right sides together with the pant, stitch, and turn right side out.
Resources
- The Greenstyle Brassie Joggers pattern can be found HERE.
- The green distressed denim cotton lycra is from Jumping June Textiles and can be found HERE.
- The French Terry floral was from Wherehouse Fabric Dallas.
- The heathered blue cotton lycra was from Made Whimsy.
- The top I am wearing is the Sew Over It Molly Top from their Capsule Wardrobe eBook
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Brassies are my favorite right now too. They make me feel a little less of a hot mess during this pregnancy. Any good online resources for heavy french terry you would recommend?
ReplyDeleteI have not found very heavy French terry that I could recommend from an online store. I think a lot of the French Terries that I have found were more of a medium weight. Ask in the Greenstyle Facebook group, and I am sure someone will have a good recommendation!
DeleteJust finished making the Tee, next is the Centerfield, then it looks like joggers are on the list!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great sewing list to me!
DeleteI’ve seen some great-looking Green Tees posted lately, and that’s my next selfish sew!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great plan. I love the Green Tee!
DeleteI would love to try the Brassies! And my son is waiting for a pair of Super G’s!
ReplyDeleteMine is the Laurel tunic, but the Chelseas are a close second. I just knew this one had to be your favorite.
ReplyDeleteI am working on a Laurel right now! You know me too well :)
DeleteI'm very new to knits but have a nice collection of greenstyle patterns printed. They all seem to be bottoms except for the green tee. So maybe a top or a jacket? Or maybe a pattern for the hubs.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is especially grateful when I make time to sew for him! A jacket would be nice thought too :)
DeleteThese look so comfy!!! I'm definitely going to have to make a couple pair and I have a feeling my husband will want some too!
ReplyDeleteI love the Chelsea's. I've had it for a while. I haven't sewn another one after the first muslin. Guess I better get to it soon :)
ReplyDeleteI love the green tee and the Centre field!
ReplyDeleteThe Green Tee is still the only Greenstyle pattern I’ve made, but I love it, and I should just make the Brassies already!
ReplyDeleteI love this. I would love one in denim lycra. I will make the Brassie Joggers or the Sundance Jacket. I just discover this store! :)
ReplyDeleteI love my GreenStyle Brassie’s too! Super comfortable in shorts length for this Florida girl!
ReplyDeleteYour Brassie Joggers looks great! I am especially liking that camo print!!! I have bee eyeing the Sundance pattern for a while so that would be my choice if I win :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! The Sundance is at the top of my sewing list for this winter.
DeleteI love Brassie's too! I'm still working on adjusting to the perfect fit though. Going to try some of your tips!
ReplyDeleteI hope they help! Can’t wait to see your versions!
DeleteMy men like the Hudson, but it’s time to get comfortable in my first pair of joggers!
ReplyDeleteThe Brassie would be my most used pattern but my husband has requested more Hudson hoodies so that may change soon ha ha.
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ReplyDeleteSo far I only made the Gree tee shirts. Haven’t sew any pants yet. Maybe I should give it a try. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, give them a try!
DeleteFantastic fit! Thanks for sharing your mods! I would love to try these! I still haven't sewn the endurance bra but I'll get to it!
ReplyDeleteI still haven’t sewn the endurance either! I don’t know why it’s so intimidating!
DeleteMoxi shorts are my go to fav shorts pattern. Have been eyeing the Brassies for a while now and may need to get them started!
ReplyDeleteI almost have as many pairs of moxis as brassie joggers! If it was summer, they may have been my pick :)
DeleteMy current GS fave is the SuperGs. Thanks for the info on how you do your waistband. I just haven't liked the waistband treatment in the other jogger patterns I've seen.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad it helped! I can be very picky at waistbands on knit joggers. I hope you find the one that is most comfortable and works for you.
DeleteLove this! I need a new pants pattern.
ReplyDeleteHi Mardee! You are our winner!!
DeleteI'm planning on making a pair of Brassies next!
ReplyDeleteI love the Green Tee. I have a couple fabrics on the project pile, waiting to be cut up.
ReplyDeleteI have fabric ready for some new tights, but can't decide between the Super Gs or the Strides!
ReplyDeleteThat’s a hard choice! My dream leggings would be a hybrid of the two!
DeleteI’ve got several patterns but not made any up yet! Thanks for your modifications explanation!
ReplyDeleteI love the Lille Racerback. I have made summer dresses and workout tops with it.
ReplyDeleteI have the super gs on my list of things to make
ReplyDeleteI've got a few patterns but not made much yet with them... The brassies are printed but I keep putting them aside to make stuff my kids need as they just won't stop growing. Love your brassies, they look good! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I totally hear ya! My kids constant growth has been keeping me from finishing a lot lately too!
DeleteThese look so comfy, I need some new comfy pants!
ReplyDeleteThey are so comfy!
DeleteLove your review and the fact that you’ve made more than 10 of these is a huge endorsement in my book! I want to try these and the Midway Bomber.
ReplyDeleteI am still lmaking the Pacific Pullovers. Easy pattern and right in style.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I have a favourite because whatever I make becomes my favourite. If absolutely have to pick a favourite it would probably be the Pace skirt since that is what brought me to Greenstyle.
ReplyDeletePicking favorites is hard! Brassies brought me to GreenStyle so maybe that’s why they hold a special place in my heart too.
DeleteI don't have the pattern yet, but would love to try my hand at the Pacific Pullover!
ReplyDeleteI have made 2 Brassies' both of Ponte and LOVE the fit!
ReplyDeleteI haven’t made any in ponte! I will have to do that next!
DeleteThese brassie joggers are perfect! I love your green version is great!I would also try to sew the Laurel dress. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteI have only made the green tee from green style creations. I really want to try the joggers or the athletic shorts. I'm a fitness instructor so I'm always in workout clothes.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned Dallas warehouse fabric. Are you in Texas? Its always so cool to find other sewists in Texas.
I hope I win just because I've wanted some French Terry joggers for a while!!
I am in Texas! I’m north of Dallas in Mckinney. You definitely need some French terry joggers.
DeleteThe endurance sports bra or the Havana
ReplyDeleteDress are next on my wish list, bath so amazing!
I would love to try the midway bomber jacket. I love all the patterns I see just wish I had the time and money to make them all!! X
ReplyDeleteI would love to try the Norah night gown
ReplyDeleteI love these. I'm working on Super g's now. Will be trying these this summer! Your blog was so helpful. Have you done a sew along?
ReplyDeleteI’m glad it was helpful! I have not done a sew alongnon the brassies. Feel free to ask in the GreenStyle group with questions and we would all love to help. Maybe they would be great for a future sew along...
DeleteMy favorite pattern is the Centerfield but now I’m off to decide if I need this one too. I’m just more of a fan of straight legs, not cuffs.
ReplyDeleteThere is a non-cuffed option in the pattern!
DeleteYour Brassies look very comfy! My favorite is the Endurance Sports Bra. In fact, I need to sew another.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is really the Sundance jacket. So many options and everything from more practical and athletic to a bit more business like. And curve friendly.
ReplyDeleteI have been meaning to try a supple waste band! And it's a rough call between brassies and open back pullover right now!
ReplyDeleteSupplex is so nice as a waistband. It’s probably my favorite of all the fabrics I use.
DeleteThanks for detailing your adjustments. I'm height challenged as well at 5'1". Ha! I have a few GS patterns but haven't made any yet. I need to make the Taylor shorts but winter is coming. I should make Brassies. Thanks for the chance of winning a pattern.
ReplyDelete