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Feature Friday Pattern From Love Notions
The Feature Friday pattern today, 9/05/25 is the Duet Trousers. You can grab this pattern for just $6 or you can purchase the Sewing Course for $25 and get the pattern for free! Either way you can use my code 10MARYMAC for 10% off. Love Notions sewing courses are like having your own personal sewing teacher holding your hand every step of the way. You can find the Duets pattern HERE and the Duets Course HERE.
New to making pants? The Duet Trousers are a great place to begin! I haven’t made a final pair of these yet~ there is a long story behind that. However, I did make a wearable muslin that I was really happy with! Warning~ old photos below of my muslin!
The Duet Trousers also come with a 30 page fitting workbook to help you with just about any fitting issue! I found this so helpful when I was making my wearable muslin a few years back.
The Details
- Ladies sizes 0-32
- Full Belly Adjustment included if needed
- Suitable for knit or woven fabrics
- Straight or tapered legs
- Front pockets
- Invisible zipper or yoga waistband options
- 30 page fitting workbook
So here is the story about my Duet Trousers. I worked on a wearable muslin 2 years ago.(Before I let my silver grow out!) I used the workbook to help me select my size and sewed them up. I honestly think it took me longer to determine my size than it did to sew them up! I was SUPER happy with them (other than the teal floral teal Ponte from my deep stash). I knew I needed some fitting adjustments in the rear. I used the fitting workbook to help determine exactly what adjustments I needed to made. I took a few photos~ posted them during the Feature Friday sale back in 2023. I fully intended to make my adjustments and make a wearable pair~ then my entire basement flooded with 15 inches of water! Suddenly sewing and my Duet Trousers were set aside for 3 months. When I finally got back to sewing I had so many other things I needed/wanted to sew. And to be honest~ I forgot all about them! I’m currently searching for the perfect Ponte and I’ll sew up a pair.
Selecting My Size
I started with the “How to Custom Fit the Duet Trousers” guide~ that is included with the purchase of the Duet Trousers pattern.
I took my measurements and highlighted them on to the size chart. I at first decided that my starting point for my “muslin” would be a size 24, since the pattern indicates to choose your size by your Full Hip. See chart below.
I thought the regular size 24 would be my size because my full hip is 51.5″. BUT, I do have a fuller high hip measurement than my full hip measurement. After going over Page 7(make sure to read this page really good!), I decided I needed more room at my high hip area so I decided to go with the full belly front piece. (Even though technically I don’t have a full belly). My starting point was now a size 22 with the full belly front piece.
After using the Pants Fitting Workbook and from what I learned when I tested the Meadowlark Pants, I know that I need to lengthen the back crotch. Hopefully I will get a new pair sewn up sooner rather than later!
A Few Tips I Noted When Sewing Up My Muslin
- Be sure to mark ALL the notches! It’s important~ trust me!
- Here is my favorite way to mark darts
- Cut out the dart from the paper pattern piece (don’t throw it away, or just cut one leg of the dart and fold it away)
- Mark fabric with chalk or washable marker
- I do this for all my patterns that have darts(mainly because you can’t find good tracing paper anymore!)
- Don’t skip the understitching at the pockets
- If using fabric like Ponte or Liverpool, consider using a lighter cotton jersey for the pocket lining piece. The waistline seam felt a bit thick to me.
What I Wore Last Week~
Last week I stayed close to home for the most part. It started off with lots of laundry from our vacation the week before. My husband and I always do something together every Wednesday (sometimes my sister and her husband join us)~ this week we went tubing down the Delaware River!. I had an unexpected trip to the city to babysit my “granddog” and an emergency babysitting day with my Lucas and Vivi(grandniece and nephew I sew a lot for) that included Aunt Mary’s Stuffed Animal Hospital work! They always put aside all the things that need fixed because “Aunt Mary” can fix that ~ including the TV remote! As you can see~ with some cooler temps I was reaching for my long sleeved Aria button downs.
- LN Timbre in a custom printed rayon challis from Raspberry Creek Fabrics
- LN Aria in a linen/rayon blend from Blackbird Fabrics ( I had to have this fabric when I saw it!)
- Made For Mermaids Jordan Dress in swim knit from RCF for tubing.
- LN Laundry Day Tee Dress in loop Terry from RCF for the drive home from tubing
- LN Melody In Double Gauze from Cali Fabrics~ excuse the wrinkles from my seatbelt!
- LN Aria Colorblocked Linen from Grain Lines Linen in NYC
- LN Aria in Chambray (with little pineapples)~ I bought this years ago and don’t recall where I got it
What I’m Sewing This Week~
I didn’t get as much sewing done this week as I had planned. We spent the Labor Day weekend with family getting ready to celebrate what we call “Local Summer”. This is when we get to enjoy empty beaches and no traffic! I also took advantage of Labor Day sales and spent one day mattress shopping! I did manage to sew:
- Love Notions Melody Dolman in Chambray~ pics coming soon!
- Prewashed and cut out my Christmas strikes for Raspberry Creek Fabrics. (I will be sewing them up today and over the weekend)
- LN Constellation
- LN Juliet~ hacked to a nightgown
- True Bias Marlo Sweater
Here is a sneak peek at the prints that I selected . There are so many great ones. These will release on Tuesday 9/9/25. Prints are available in French Terry, Cotton Jersey , Double Brushed Poly and Rib Knit.
My Sewing Plans For Next Week~
The weather here has really cooled down, so I really want to work on some transitional items. But honestly~ I really want to sew for Fall!
- Finishing touches on any Raspberry Creek Fabrics Christmas strikes I didn’t get finished over the weekend.
- Hey June Santa Fe Tops
- Need to trace my pattern in a larger size. The ones I made 5 years or so ago are too small.
- Make a wearable muslin from a rib knit from my stash
- Sew up 2 lightweight sweater knits that I’ve been holding on to~ they will be perfect for Sept!
- Purchase Fabric for two long sleeved LN Aria button-downs that are on my future to-sew list. I saw a few in Macy’s when I was shopping the other day in the prettiest plaids! My plan is to custom print 2 plaids on sweatshirt fleece from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. I love this fabric base~ when printing on it it creates a heathered look. These will be perfect for my Fall bike rides. I want to select those plaids and get them ordered. Below are a few I am thinking about. Since they will be a custom order, I can adjust the scale of the plaid when placing my order.
Thanks for reading “The Weekly Stitch”! I’m so happy you took the time to “visit” my sewing room!
Mary Anne 🙂
Remember to follow me over on Instagram to see all my latest makes! @sewmarymac
You can also follow my Facebook Page~ Sew Mary Mac. On this page you will find information on my makes from all pattern companies. If I know of any good sales(pattern or fabric) I will also feature this information. I have had many of my loyal followers send me friend requests on Facebook. I do post in the Love Notions group under Mary Anne MacLean, however this Facebook account is private. There is no sewing content on that Facebook Account.
Pattern Links
The Love Notions links are affiliate links. It costs you nothing to purchase from these links, it just helps fund my fabric addiction which allows me to test and review more patterns.
To receive an additional 10% off the LN pattern price, use this coupon code 10MARYMAC.This coupon code can be used at anytime on any pattern….even a $6 Feature Friday pattern. My code does change quarterly, so please always check the newest blog post for an update if you find a code isn’t working.
Fabric Resources
Blackbird Fabrics~ Linen/Rayon pink shellfish print
Cali Fabrics~ Pink and Orange check Double Gauze
Gray Lines Linen~ best selection of linen!! 43 colors available in this Handkerchief linen.
Bonus Photos: Tubing The Delaware River
Every summer we go tubing down the Delaware River, which separates New Jersey from Pennsylvania. We typically pack a lunch and stop when we find a nice group of flat rocks. On weekends, there is actually a hot dog man along the way! It’s always such a fun day. My sister and her husband joined up this year.
sewmarymac.com 