This blog post contains affiliate links in which I will earn a commission when purchases are made.
When it come to a wardrobe, having a few solid black options are a must have. Solid black options in your wardrobe are indispensable for their timeless versatility and inherent sophistication. A black garment serves as a versatile canvas, effortlessly complementing an array of colors and patterns, making it a go-to choice for effortless coordination. Whether it’s a classic black dress, a sleek pair of trousers, or a well tailored blazer, these wardrobe staples give you many options suitable for various occasions. From formal events to casual outings, solid blacks are easy to dress up or dress down. Moreover, black possesses the unique ability to create a flattering and slimming effect, offering a confidence boost and ensuring you always look polished and put together. In the world of fashion, where trends come and go, solid black pieces stand the test of time, providing a reliable foundation for building a wardrobe that is both chic and enduring. Now, let me tell you more about this black ribbed knit dress and pants set that allows me to mix and match in many ways.
Suggested Fabrics
The pattern I used is New Look 6581. This is my second time making this pattern, and it is a winner in my book. As I stated before, this pattern allows you quite a few mix and match options. You can make solids in different colors, and even make prints to mix with the solids. There are a total of eight pattern pieces in this pattern. This pattern includes a wrap dress, a cardigan, and pants. The suggested fabrics are stretch knits only, such as, Lightweight Double Knit, Interlock, and Jersey. However, for the pants, Lightweight Ponte is also a suggestions. I made this set in a black ribbed knit fabric.
Notions
The notions that is required for this pattern is thread, a 1/2″ wide seam binding for the dress or the cardigan, and a 1″ wide elastic for the pants. These are common notions that I usually keep on hand because they are often used.
Size Cut
One of the things that I love about this pattern is that all sizes are included inside one envelope. The sizes range from 8 to 20. For the dress, I cut a size 16 due to the bust measurement. For the pants, I cut a size 12 due to the hip measurement. This pattern is very easy to make size adjustments to, if needed. When making adjustments to not only this pattern, but any pattern, I have come to like the process of “tissue fitting” method to make sure that my garment is going to fit in the way that I desire. There is also the option of making a muslin, but that is something that I only do when I am sewing with a woven fabric that I am unsure of when it comes to the fitting, or if the fabric that I am cutting is a higher end fabric.
Fabric Yardage
Another thing to love about this pattern is the amount of fabric yardage that is needed. However, keep in mind that if you decide to make this pattern and your fabric has plaids or stripes, you will want to have extra fabric to match up the design. For the dress, 2-3/8 yards of fabric was required. For the pants, 1-3/8 yards of fabric was required. This totaled 3-3/4 yards of fabric to complete this set for my size.
Interfacing
A lightweight fusible interfacing is required to add stability to the neck and front bands. Before we go on, let’s talk a little bit about why interfacing is so important when your pattern requires it. Interfacing plays a crucial role in sewing, acting as a hidden hero that provides structure, stability, and professional finishing touches to garments. This often-overlooked material, sandwiched between layers of fabric, reinforces and supports areas that need extra strength, such as collars, cuffs, and button plackets. Interfacing ensures that these elements maintain their shape and durability over time, preventing them from sagging or losing structure after multiple wears and washes. It also adds a layer of opacity to fabrics, preventing them from becoming too sheer. Beyond practical functionality, interfacing contributes to the aesthetic appeal of garments, enhancing the overall look and feel. In essence, using interfacing in sewing is similar to laying a solid foundation for a building. It’s the key to achieving a polished, professional, and long-lasting result in your garment construction.
More Details About This Set
There are no pocket pattern pieces included in this set, however, you can always add your own. I did not add any pockets. If you have a lot of knits in your fabric stash, this is a great pattern to use up some of that fabric on and create yourself a wardrobe collection that will never go out of style. As far as accessorizing this set, I kept it simple, like I always do. I simply added a par of gold hoop earrings and a gold layered necklace. Due to the simplicity of the design of this pattern, you can definitely add more jewelry if that is more your style. For the shoes, I paired this set with my ankle high, leather suede boots. The set can also be paired with sandals (heals or not), and even a pair of really cute sneakers for a more casual look. Keep in mind that the dress can be worn without the pants with the same accessories and shoes. The pants themselves can be paired with any shirt or blouse of your choosing, for a dressy or more casual look. As you can see, this pattern is truly timeless and will not only become a favorite and often worn set in your closet, but it will last a very long time, depending on the fabric that is chosen.
Note: Even if the New Look patterns are not a part of the popular $1.99 sale that Joann stores run often, the regular cost is usually around $3.99. I have personally never paid any more than that. You will also find that the New Look patterns are very easy to follow, and most of them are beginner friendly.
