It popped up everywhere on Instagram over the (Australian) summer and I was not immune.  I bought the True Bias Ogden Cami pattern and sewed one up.  I wasn’t letting my kids have all the fun in the mini version of this pattern!

The fabric is a beautiful soft cotton that I bought on my first trip to Thailand. It’s one of those fabrics where I wish that I had more.

And as usual, the photo shows off my short back torso and reminds me that I really need to start doing the appropriate pattern adjustment on pretty much everything I sew! Anyway, back to the pattern itself. I think that there is a great deal to like about the Ogden Cami. The description from the True Bias website is as follows: The Ogden Cami is a simple blouse that can either be worn on its own or as a layering piece under blazers and cardigans. It has a soft V neck at both center front and center back necklines, and delicate spaghetti straps. The neckline and armholes are finished with a partial lining for a beautiful, high end finish. Suggested Fabrics: Light weight woven fabrics such as crepe, rayon challis, voile, and lightweight linen.

I was between sizes, and opted to size down to the 12 rather than sew the 14. I really like the shaping of this cami – the curves are just right! I would however prefer a full lining, and if I sewed it again I’d definitely extend the lining down to match the outer. This would be a great pattern to extend to dress length. It does require a strapless bra however (unless you are happy to go without). My cami has actually become a pyjama top, purely because I prefer to wear a normal bra. I will probably use this pattern again for summer nighties too.  Looking at these photos, and thinking of how it felt in wear, the straps are probably a little wide apart for my shoulders.  However, bringing them in would involve some redrafting to maintain the front and back shaping.  Hmmm.  Will think on that further.

So, to the pants! These were a straightforward garment to sew and are super comfortable to wear. They are the Lena pants from Designer Stitch. From the website: The Lena Silk Pants are a relaxed and easy wearing pant. Featuring side slant pockets, pleated front, back yoke and elastic waistband these pants can be made in a casual fabric for daytime wearing. They can then easily transition into evening when made in a more upmarket fabric for some glitz and glamour.

Ann from Designer Stitch has been a freelance designer to industry and a teacher in Australia for many years, and also runs her own sewing school.  It is nice to see another experienced and well qualified fashion designer releasing pdf patterns that have been extensively tested and are in a wide range of sizes.  These pants are a bit of fun, and definitely fit into current trends.

The drop crotch, in combination with my relatively flat rear and narrow hits, definitely results in baggy bum, but that’s always a function of this style! I shortened the legs before cutting out, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to make adjustments to the hem after the fact as the lower leg is a shaped,self-faced “cuff” piece.

As is usual for me, I left out the drawstring, and used fairly wide elastic through the waist. I love those deep front pleats, and the slanted pockets. The fabric is a drapey rayon woven with a self-spot that was in deep stash, which gives them a little texture. Another of those fabrics that I wish I had more of! I wore these quite a lot while we were overseas, and always felt good in them. I think they’d be lovely in a patterned silk, which is one of the fabric suggestions.