The Lounge Lizard Joggers – sewing the Monsal Lounge Pants

As promised, here I am back with another make from earlier this year. Yep, 2020 has definitely been the year of loungewear, and fittingly I’ve made the Monsal Lounge Pants from Wendy Ward’s Sewing with Knitted Fabrics book.

Monsal Lounge Pants in purple French terry

You can find out more about the process of sewing the Monsal Lounge Pants up on my Minerva post here. Interestingly, it’s been a while since I wrote that blog post and when I read it through I discovered that I was absolutely in love with these joggers back when I wrote it. So what changed?

A few months on and don’t get me wrong, I still love wearing these joggers. They are incredibly comfy, the fabric is superb quality and a beautiful colour. But as to the way they look on me…

I’m just not convinced this is a good shape on me! I reckon it makes me look a bit heavy around the thighs, and my legs just look better (longer, thinner, I dunno, just better) in styles that are more closely fitted at the thigh. Like leggings or skinny jeans. Or even something that is wider at the bottom than the top (my upcoming, very nearly finished Jenny dungarees are a case in point).

I only wear these around the house so I’m not bothered, although sometimes I catch sight of myself in a mirror and wonder whether to shave an inch or two off the width at the thighs to see if it improves the fit to my eyes.

And now here’s a picture of me I really like for my expression, but the clothes are so NOT ME it’s unreal:

The kids gave me the t-shirt as part of a sleepwear set for my birthday which was really sweet of them, but I’d never have chosen such a boxy, cropped style for myself. Again, although others look great in these styles, my narrow frame just doesn’t look right in them. To my eyes anyway.

So, I’ll keep on wearing these Monsal Lounge Pants but I’m not sure I’ll be reaching for the pattern again. However, it’s got me thinking about finding another comfy knit trouser pattern that’s more my style. Definitely something worth having in my arsenal of TNT patterns!

One thing I definitely want to do is get hold of some more of this French terry, though. The quality is absolutely top notch and it comes in lots of lovely colours. I can see me wearing the cerise, indigo, olive and petrol colourways. And black, of course. I’d like more cosy winter tops for layering up under my dungarees, and some more cardigans too. I reckon this fabric would be perfect.

Anyway, I think that’s all for today. I have two cloth advent calendars to finish sewing up, and not much time left to do it in. Guess what I’ll be busy doing this weekend?!

Ciao for now,

Anna x

PS, I’ll be back on Tuesday with another kids make. I think it’s Daisy’s turn to model. She’ll be wearing a crazy cold-shoulder unicorn print top. Oh, the things kids make you sew!

What do you reckon? I'd love to hear from you!

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