Every July my spouse and I try to take a camping trip during the week of my birthday. This year I decided to make a lil outdoorsy outfit that I could wear hiking or lounging by the campfire because I love a matching set. (Let’s be real: making matching sets was one of my primary motivations for learning how to sew).
All of these makes were my first time using each pattern. I’ve still got some issues to work out in future versions—figuring out the rise on the Topo Pants, the cuff circumference on the Ilford, and practicing the Blomma bindings—but I’m happy with how they all turned out. They’ve all been well-worn this month: hiking, camping, working in the ceramics studio, and even exploring a lava tube! Click on the toggle headings below for details about each piece.
Patterns
- Paradise Patterns Blomma Tank
- Leila Makes Topo Pants
- Friday Pattern Co. Ilford Jacket
- Elbe Textiles Sorrento Bucket Hat
Fabric & Supplies
- Blackbird Fabrics Lived In Cotton Twill in Kelp (300 gsm / 8.8 oz) for main fabric
- Unfortunately our camping trip coincided with the mega heatwave on the west coast, so the cotton twill was a bit heavier than I’d like, but I think it’s a great three season fabric for normal temps in the Pacific Northwest!
- Blackbird Fabrics Artful Doodles Cotton Voile (70 gsm / 2.1 oz) for pockets and linings
- Pellon SF101 Shape Flex Fusible Interfacing
- Sarah Hearts woven labels
Blomma Tank
I really like the silhouette and fit of this Blomma. It’s the perfect basic black tank that I can wear with anything. The fabric offers more coverage than I expected—I usually wear this tank without a bra. It’s a simple and relatively fast sew, but I struggled with the bindings more than I expected, leading to puckering around the neckline and armholes. I definitely plan to make more, but sewing the bindings feels a bit daunting at the moment.
The Details
Topo Pants
I was excited to try this pattern since so many women's outdoorsy pants don't fit me. In years past I wore the Topo Designs' Dirt Pants, but they're mid-rise (blegh), way too short, and not size inclusive (I no longer fit in their size range). These Topo Pants provide a gender-neutral substitute with many customization options and I expect I'll make a couple more versions for myself and partner. I wish that the pattern provided more guidance on how to successfully make a high rise pant that doesn't dip while squatting. It's nice to have a pair of outdoor pants that are long enough, but I'll need to do more fitting that I was hoping to finally get that elusive pair of high rise pants.
The Details
Topo Shorts
I decided the batch-sew a shorts version along with my Topo Pants since I had extra fabric. If I had been a bit more clever and patient, I would have made one or the other first and then adjusted the fit on the second, but alas, that is not my way. So now I have a pair of pants and a pair of shorts that aren't quite high rise on me and that dip down in the back while squatting. I'd definitely recommend making a pair of shorts as a toile to get the rise dialed in before you invest your time in sewing the pants.
The Details
Ilford Jacket
The Ilford Jacket is my favorite make of the whole outfit! The twill soft and comfy and a versatile enough weight that I see myself wearing this jacket year-round—perfect as a light jacket for cool summer evenings or layered over a fleece during colder months.
The Details
Sorrento Bucket Hat
I haven’t worn a bucket hat since I was a child, so I was a bit skeptical that I’d like this, but I think it’s super cute and I’ll definitely make another!
The Details
Keep In Touch
Thanks very much for reading! If you have any questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact me! You can also find me on Instagram and Threadloop.
Further Reading
All content (including photographs and text) on this site ©2024–2025 Aliya Hoff-Vanoni. All Rights Reserved. Do not use or reproduce without written permission.