I’ve been a huge Love Notions Pattern fan since early 2018. This was long before I became an Ambassador for them. I discovered the Sabrina Slims pattern and fell in love. I have made almost a dozen pairs of those. You can read more about that pattern here. Another pattern I purchased around the same time I discovered the Sabrinas was the Alegro Bottoms. Here’s some deets on that pattern:

The Allegro pattern features 7 bottom views. All views feature a pull-on style with front slash pockets, back patch pockets, a faux fly and elastic waistband with drawstring. The pants and shorts have a semi-relaxed fit through the hips and thighs, tapering down to the ankle. Both can be hemmed or cuffed. Two skirt options are included- knee length and ankle length. The ankle length skirt features two slits up to the knee. This pattern is meant for light to medium weight apparel woven fabrics. 

The pattern sounded amazing. I bought the Allegro Pattern during a Feature Friday sale for $5 which is a total steal considering all the options you get in the one purchase. However, I never made anything with it. Ya, for reals. I let it sit for almost two years. Then it got updated to increase the size range in spring of 2020. I heard so much positive feed back and saw so many excellent maker’s pictures that I decided this summer I was definitely making some. However, rather than reprinting the newly updated pattern, I used the older pattern. The adjustments I make here can apply to any pattern that needs some minor adjustments.

I’m not a huge shorts wearer. I prefer skirts and dresses, but I figured a linen pair of Allegros would be nice for Arizona’s hot summer. I had some blue and white striped linen that I had been hanging on to for the perfect project. The Allegros would be that project.

I chose the 9inch length hemmed shorts view. I didn’t want to just cut in to my precious linen without knowing my adjustments so I used some black twill I found at Walmart for my wearable muslin test. I don’t usually have to make many adjustments to Love Notions patterns. I knew I would most likely need to make them longer. Based on my measurements I fall within a size Medium shirt and size 10-12 pants for Love Notions Patterns. Because I was using the older pattern I fell into a size Medium range, but when I make the new pattern I will do a size 12.

My measurements are:

Bust: 36in.

Waist: 31in.

Hips 41in.

I made my first pair with zero adjustments. I found that I not only needed to make them a bit longer but I needed to adjust the rise as well. I wanted them to sit just below my belly button and the length I wanted right above  my knee. I knew I would need to add an inch to the rise and an inch to the length.

To make them higher at the waist I cut the pattern horizontally roughly 3 inches down from the waist. Then I added in and inch of paper, redrew the pocket and the fly.

To add length I cut the pattern at the “hemmed” 5 inch short line and added in another inch of paper. There was some slight unevenness on the side that I corrected when I cut my fabric out.

Once those pattern adjustments were done, I cut out my fabric and sewed them up. The final results?

Bullseye! The waist is about 1 inch below my belly button and the length is about 1 inch above my knee. It’s not a huge difference, but this is much more the length and rise I prefer.This was a really quick sewing project. If you’re a beginner you could complete it in one day. It took me about two hours.

I’m really happy with how they turned out. I even added the drawstring tie, which I normally avoid due to the fact that I hate installing buttonholes.

I’m excited to have some linen shorts to wear this summer that with go with pretty much everything I have. I don’t know why I waited so long to try this surprisingly simple pattern. If you’re looking for a beginner friendly pattern for the summer I would highly recommend the Allegro Bottoms Pattern. 

If you decided to make this awesome pattern make sure and #lovenotionspatterns and #allegrobottoms so we can all see your make! You can even tag me @koetiquemade if you want me to Ooohh and Awwwe over it too!

Happy Sewing!

Koe