Pattern Review: Sol Set in Heavyweight Linen
Sol set made with FS Spice Heavyweight Softened Linen
At the ripe ole’ age of 32 and after an almost-ten-year career in teaching, I have recently (and shockingly) found myself in corporate America. While many of you have been walking these fluorescent-lit hallways since graduating from whatever business or engineering program you attended, this is my first foray. I had masterfully dodged these stodgy buildings, spending my mid-twenties to early-thirties wearing space buns and socks with Birkenstocks to work while hanging out with kids. Let’s just say it wasn’t that unheard of to end the day with a sparkly sticker on my forehead, Tsunade-style.
Sol set made with FS Spice Heavyweight Softened Linen
But one summer break and a career change later, I’m in the land of lawyers, and my wardrobe was in shock. I was totally at a loss on how to incorporate what I loved most about the curated me-made wardrobe I had spent years on and “business casual.”
I found inspiration in a lot of the matching linen sets that have been a staple of the maker community for years now (I actually made my first one back in 2020, which was also the first Fabrics Store linen I ever bought!). Matching sets, even the more casual ones, have always been a species of suit in my mind. Perhaps they’re the evolved Darwinian finches of our collective archipandemigo, but I think we can all agree that there was a huge rethinking around what constitutes office wear in the last several years. For my matching office set, I had some specific parameters I’d identified for my search: I wanted a slightly more structured jacket than my other woven cardigans but wasn’t quite ready to tackle a full-on blazer pattern, and I wanted a pop of color to combat so much office gray.
Sol set made with FS Spice Heavyweight Softened Linen
When Masha reached out about trying one of Fabrics Store’s paid patterns, I jumped at the opportunity to try the Sol. It’s a three-piece set that includes a tunic with a structured ¾ front placket and waist tie, a button-up cardigan with the same structured collar design, and simple wide-legged pants with a straight waistband and invisible side zipper.
I chose to make the pants and cardigan in a straight Size 2 based on finished garment measurements and with my ease preferences in mind. The combined yardage called for a little over four yards of fabric and after much indecision, I ultimately went with the heavy softened linen in Spice (I’ve never met an orange I don’t like, and I thought a darker colorway would lend itself well to bottoms). The only modifications I made were to forego the split hem on the cardigan, and remove 2” from the pants’ inseam length.
Sol set made with FS Spice Heavyweight Softened Linen
The instructions for both pieces were incredibly easy to follow, and the visuals were especially helpful with the trickier bits. The sleeve construction was something I’d never come across before and I was slow to trust the process, but I took it step by step and the aha! moment finally clicked as I was finishing up the underarm seam. I will say that the top-stitching detail around the split hem sleeve was difficult for my Singer to maneuver around, and my first pass was too messy for my taste. I decided to unpick and forego this detail, but after washing, the linen frayed a bit at the top and I ended up having to go back and reinforce with some not-so-cute bar tacks. I made a note to be more careful with my scissor snips and think through a different reinforcement approach for next time.
Sol set made with FS Spice Heavyweight Softened Linen
I was a little worried about the simplicity of the pants pattern, but the finished garment measurements were spot on and it’s a super solid block (at least for my dimensions). I will definitely be tinkering with the cardigan’s side seam pockets to use with the pants though, because ya girl needs pockets. Between the two pieces, the cardigan is obviously the star of the show. The neckband shape and placket stitching really sets it apart from other woven cardigans I’ve seen, and creates a beautiful balance between chic structure and nature-inspired ease.
Overall, this set is comfortable and classy, magically preserving my sense of style within the confines of the office. The coord passes the baddie check, and the color feels fresh. I’m already dreaming of a wool suiting set and sleeveless cardigan dress next!
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About Author
Alyx Vanness
Hi there! I'm a mid-thirties millennial that got asked for my hall pass all ten years as a teacher and who has just stumbled out of the hallways into the corporate world. I spent a lot of years unsure of my style and uninspired by ready-to-wear clothing, and then I started sewing. Fully self-taught with a devil-may-care attitude (I've never met a pattern I'll toile), I use this craft as an opportunity to experiment and play. Thanks for being here!Leave a comment
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9 Comments
Suzanne Kingsbury
Thanks for the snarky comment about working in the corporate world. I chose to do so after trenching for 6 months. And have been very happy. I trust you will enjoy it too.
Judy Sewell
What a great outfit for work. Folks will realize that you are a creative soul.
Alyx Vanness
Thank you! And they’re slowly coming around ?
Jo ann Kugle
I hope your new work positions include writing, because that obviously is one of your talents. Your sewing ability is one talent to be admired.! Thank you for the inspiration!!
Alyx Vanness
Writing discovery responses and initial reports, but I’ll take it! I actually have a writing degree, so I’m glad to be able to use it across the technical and creative genres!
Janet Oglethorpe
That was a great read to begin my day, and you rock the look. Thank you!
Alyx Vanness
Ahh thank you that’s so kind! Honored to be a part of starting your day!
Yvonne Gruenthaler
Nice make! I hear ya re the sea of office grey… the spice looks great on you!
Alyx Vanness
Thank you! It’s been my favorite color since childhood and I reach for it a lot.