Liz’s Swim Style Lara Loungewear Set!
When I was planning my next blog post for Felicity Fabrics it was in the run up to Christmas. All I wanted to wear or sew up was something comfy and cosy. I already have quite a few pairs of full length pyjamas that I wear as loungewear but I find I get too hot if I wear them to sleep in. So I set about searching for pyjamas that came with a shorts option.
I had recently heard of the pattern company ‘Swim Style’ who have a relaxed fit shorts and t-shirt loungewear set available as a PDF called the ‘Lara Loungewear set’. It looked perfect and is described as ‘the ideal cross-over between style and comfort’ and I was sold! It was exactly what I was looking for – the ultimate in comfort and cosiness.
The next step was looking for the perfect fabric – something I always enjoy doing. So I headed over to the Felicity Fabrics website to find the perfect fabric. The pattern recommends any type of stretch/knit fabric and you need between 2 metres and 2.5 metres dependant on the size you sew up. I find cotton jersey a wonderful and soft fabric to wear so immediately narrowed my search down using this filter on the website.
I didn’t want a fabric that would be too warm to wear so I settled on a cotton jersey fabric. Felicity Fabrics have three cotton jersey fabrics – white dots, blue dots and dash pink. I can be quite indecisive and couldn’t choose from these three beautiful fabrics so I asked Caroline and Fliss to make the choice for me. They chose the dash pink which is such a beautiful colour and I love the small dash like print. On their website it is described as being perfect for tops, dresses and pyjamas so I knew it would be perfect for my loungewear set. It is 95% cotton and 5% elastane and Oeko Tex certified 100 – which means it has been tested for harmful substances.
With fabric chosen and the pattern decided I sent the pattern off to get printed using the AO file that is included when you buy the PDF. The pattern is currently $19 and you get the PDF pattern, print at home instructions and pattern tiles, paper size US and A4 and two A0 copyshop files if, like me, you prefer to get your pattern printed using a printing service.
The pattern is designed to be a boyfriend fit, stylish and comfortable shorts and t-shirt style loungewear set. The set can be worn lounging around at home or out and about and features a high scoop neckline, loose drop sleeve and high waisted, relaxed short. You can wear the two pieces together or pair them with something else in your wardrobe. I had plans to make a set to be worn at home but the t-shirt could easily be worn with jeans, joggers or dungarees I already own.
The pattern would be great sewn up in a ribbed knit and they have images on their website of it made up in this type of fabric. Other fabrics that are suitable include jersey, Ponte, sweat shirting fleece, interlock knit, spandex, double knit, polar fleece, 4-way stretch fabrics like lycra, nylon-spandex, high stretch and active wear fabric.
They have a step by step video tutorial on how to sew the loungewear set but it was a simple pattern to sew up. It is described as an easy level sewing pattern so long as you have some knowledge of sewing with stretch fabric. I love the dropped shoulder detail and the elasticated waist on the shorts, both features make it super comfortable to wear.
The pattern comes in sizes XS – XXXL:
XS: Bust measurement of 32 inches, waist measurement of 25 inches and a hip measurement of 34 ½ inches.
XXXL: Bust measurement of 44 inches, waist measurement of 36 inches and a hip measurement of 46 inches.
When choosing what size to sew up I used my bust and hip measurement as I felt I could always increase the length of elastic I needed if necessary for my waist. My bust measurement is 34 inches and my hip measurement is 35 inches which put me in the size S (Bust measurement of 34 inches, waist measurement of 26 ½ inches and a hip measurement of 36 inches) and it fits me really nicely.
Although Swim Style recommend using between 2 and 2.5 metres of fabric I was able to sew my version using just under 1.5 metres and ended up with enough fabric left to make a cute set of baby clothes for a friend!
I used the Poppy and Jazz Strawberry sweatshirt and the Poppy and Jazz Tangerine trousers to make the ultimate cosy loungewear for my friends 6-month old baby. She’s going to be the closet baby around! The fabric is perfect for baby clothes too. The Strawberry sweatshirt pattern starts at new born and goes up to 6 years and the Tangerine trousers start at 0 months and go up to 24 months.
It looks great with the t-shirt tucked in slightly or left hanging on the outside. The combination of a relaxed fit t-shirt and shorts with the perfect soft and cosy fabric has meant I now have the perfect lounge wear in my wardrobe. I have worn the set loads already and can see so many more in my wardrobe – now to decide on what fabric to use next!
