I love an outfit pattern bundle.  They get me every time.  A little while ago I decided to sew in “outfits” so that I wouldn’t end up with any tops or bottoms that didn’t go with anything.  So far that decision has worked pretty well!

I’m not much of a tracksuit wearer (really, there is only a small amount of activewear in my life) but every now and then I need something that is super snuggly and comfy to wear when I’m having a ‘home’ day. For me, this combination really fits the bill. The patterns are the Brooklyn knit top and Brooklyn knit pant from Style Arc.  Maybe I’ll start with the top!

From the Style Arc website: You will love this yummy oversized top with its gorgeous high neck, side pockets and hem bands, make it in a heavy a jumper knit to get a luxe feel, why not team it with the Brooklyn Pant for the complete weekend look. FABRIC SUGGESTION Sweater knit, Bonded knit, Merino knit, any weighty knit.

I used merino french terry from The Cloth Shop in a very beautiful blue.  I’d bought the last of the roll, only discover that I hadn’t bought enough of the fabric to cut the lower band and collar.  Luckily Kim had ordered in another bolt, and it wasn’t long before I was able to buy some more.  Originally I thought that I’d just use another contrasting or complementary fabric for the collar and bands, but I’m really glad that I waited that little bit and made the entire top from the same fabric.

As you would expect from the line drawing, this top is straightforward to assemble. The only thing that adds a little more time is sewing the inseam pockets. I attached the pockets and the sewed the side seams on my regular machine; the rest of construction was done on the overlocker. I left the pocket bags hanging free at first but they quickly became annoying in wear, flopping around and hanging down. After I topstitched them to the front of the top – as as suggested in the pattern instructions – I was much happier.

That’s quite a collar! It’s rather drapey and folds well in this fabric; in others I’ve seen sewn in more substantial fabrics with more body the collar sits up quite high. The sleeves are really too long on me too; I wear them folded back. I will possibly cut them off and reattach the next time the right colour is in the overlocker. I did some topstitching around the bands and collar edges to secure the seam allowances and help everything lie nicely. I used size 12, my regular Style Arc top/dress size.

The pants were really meant to be a “wearable muslin”. The fabric is from Clear It, and it’s also a french terry, albeit one that definitely isn’t merino and doesn’t have a great deal of stretch.

Yes, those are bottles of poison printed on the fabric….maybe that’s why there is still plenty of this very wide fabric in a couple of colourways still available at Clear It for only $5 per metre.

I’ll have to pull out the pattern to check whether I sewed size 10 or 12 – I’ve been varying that with my weight gain over the past year. It’s possibly still size 10, with me relying on the elastic waist to provide the extra belly and middle room.

The pants have some nice details that no-one will ever see when I wear them, like this flattish elasticised waistband and angled front pockets, with the pocket bags stitched to the front of the pants.

I shortened the pants by taking a couple of folds from the leg length. They were fast and easy to sew, mostly on the overlocker. The pattern description from the Style Arc website is as follows: Opt for a luxe track pant style for a relaxed weekend. Knit pants have become a fashion favourite guaranteeing a warm casual day time look that’s both versatile and chic. The forward side seam creates a slimming silhouette along with the angles pockets. FABRIC SUGGESTION Sweater Knit, Merino Knit, Knit Jersey.

Like Barbara, I’m very pleased with the overall shape and fit of the pant on me.  I even added the back pockets – which I am never likely to actually use!

This pant pattern is definitely going to get another outing – I think it’s a pretty close to perfect tracksuit pant option for me. I do need to readjust the waist elastic and make it a little bit tighter, but overall, I love my poison pants!  I have been wearing the top in combination with the pants but also out and about with jeans or skinny pants and boots. Both have been great additions to my winter wardrobe.