Hello! It’s been a while. After a busy few months of house-moving, I’ve finally got my sewing space set up and I’m raring to go. Plus, I have the ultimate comfy dungarees to wear whilst deciding where to put pictures up and endlessly relocate plants until I find their favoured growing spot.

By Hand London released their Leo pattern a few weeks before we moved and I fell for them. The pleats, the tie straps, the elasticated ankle…the crotch (not something I thought I’d ever type). I loved the pattern but wasn’t sure whether they would suit me so I waited until a few versions started popping up to see them on different body types, then clicked “buy”.

I ordered a print-out from The Fold Line, who managed to get my pattern to the new house a day before me. The excitement of our new home was heightened by the realisation that I already had crafty post in the building.

Viscose linen dreaminess

I have already used this viscose linen from Lamazi Fabrics and love how it feels, plus it’s very well behaved when sewing. I don’t really like pure linen because it creases as soon as I look at it but the added viscose means this fabric barely creases. I wore my grass green Kew Skirt a lot last summer and the idea of dungarees in the same fabric appealed to me, particularly when they have such voluminous legs to emphasise the drape! The texture of this fabric is dreamy and looks like it should have quite a weight to it, but it’s actually really light.

I also used some bias binding from Sea Salt that I’ve had in my stash for years, and some Sea Salt remnants for in-seam pockets.

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Fitting

As this was such a new pattern, blog posts were limited but fortunately there were a few by petite sewists by the time I came to trace my pattern. In terms of adjustments, I:

• took3″ off at the leg shortening line
• took 2″ off at crotch shortening line
• sized down rather than up according to the finished garment measurements. The hip measurement is the key one so I can get in and out as there are no fastenings
• added in-seam pockets

I also added two labels as dungarees are a great canvas for labels. “Room For Cake” (Pink Coat Club) is an understatement – I could get a starter, main and pudding in these dungarees. I also put a visible KATM label on the bib, which inspired the title of this blog. Anybody who grew up in the 90s is likely to know MC Hammer, his infamous “Hammer pants” and his hit “You Can’t Touch This”. His song was already on loop in my head whilst making my Leos due to the style but when I spotted this label, I changed the lyrics to You Can’t Buy This!

Gadget alert

I love a gadget, but also recognise that a lot of them aren’t essential. My Dad is still trying to convince me that his “pineapple corer and slicer” is the best gadget but I keep referring him back to the knife block.

However…..I’m totally converted with loop turners. After spending over 30mins turning my first strap manually, I ordered a set of loop turners. When they arrived, I turned the remaining three loops in the time it took the kettle to boil. Converted!

I’ve been wearing these dungarees on and off since they came off my machine and they are so comfortable. I’m glad I took some of the length (depth?!) out of the crotch as I think they would have swamped my petite stature otherwise.

Thanks for reading. If anybody needs me, I’ll be singing MC Hammer. :o)