Simplicity 9051 isn’t the style of pattern I typically reach for when deciding what type of shirt to make. However, that’s exactly what I loved about it. It’s simple yet glamorous, casual yet sophisticated all squished together in one! I love it. I didn’t love the pants pattern that came with it, but I had another Simplicity pattern that I did like, Simplicity 8841. I decided to make a matching set that I could mix and match with other items in my wardrobe.

A little about the shirt pattern….

Simplicity 9051 is a top and pants set. The top has two sleeve options: Sleeveless and elbow length bell sleeves, as well as two lengths: Shirt and tunic. The shirt also includes a pattern piece for a belt. The pants are elastic waist and ankle length. They have inseam pockets with a slit from the hem to above the knee.

I chose to just make only the top from this pattern. I went with the shirt length rather than the tunic length, bell sleeve, belted option. Rather than make the bottoms included with this pattern, I chose to make Simplicity 8841.

 

A Little about the pants pattern….

Simplicity 8841 is my kind of pattern. Pull on pants that come with a slim or wide leg option, two different lengths to choose from plus a tie belt. Not only that but it has two different pocket styles as well; inseam and patch pocket. The belt loops are super cute as well. I am telling you, this is a CUTE pattern.

I chose to make the wide legged cropped pants with the belt option. That option seemed more my style than the 9051 pattern. 

A small change to the shirt….

It’s very seldom that I make a pattern without adjusting it slightly to suit my needs better. I made a very slight and simple adjustment with the shirt pattern. It only took a few minutes to do. 

The 9051 shirt pattern pictures show that the top has a center front vertical slit at the neckline.This is the first thing I wanted to change. I just knew it would be a detail I wouldn’t like in the end. It also had a center front seam. That was a design detail that I actually like on other patterns I have made so it didn’t bother me. However, since I was omitting the center slit it would be easier to omit the center front seam too. So that’s exactly what I did.

To do both of these adjustments I simply folded over the ⅝ inch seam allowance at the center front pattern piece. Then, I placed the pattern piece on the fold to cut it out. By folding over the seam allowance I omitted the extra fabric that would have been there had I not done that.

Mix and Match!

This shirt has the belted option which is super cute with both the matching pants or these shorts I had previously made . But it’s also cute without the belt. It also looks cute tucked in with the belted pants. It will look cute no matter how it’s worn.

The pants are super cute with just a plain white tee and the matching shirt. It’s such a fun ensemble to mix and match. I can see myself wearing these combos all summer long!!

Let’s be friends!

If you are looking for a pattern suitable for more than one occasion, hopefully this post helps you figure out what will work best with your wardrobe needs. Let’s be friends on all the socials! Come follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook so we can chat about all our sewing projects!

 

Below are the links to the Patterns a cute animal print fabric I used in this post.

 

Pants Simplicity 8841 link https://www.minerva.com/mp/1013143/simplicity-sewing-pattern-8841&variant=1011618

Shorts Blank Slate Spearmint Set https://blankslatepatterns.com/collections/women/products/peppermint-pjs?aff=30

Shirt Simplicity 9051 link https://www.minerva.com/mp/1243324/simplicity-sewing-pattern-9051&variant=1243307

Shirt Fabric link https://www.minerva.com/mp/1264740/digital-print-smooth-crepe-fabric-blue