I was recently invited for my second pattern testing with Love Notions Sewing Patterns, this time updating a lounge wear pattern - The Luna Loungewear.

The Luna Loungewear is a five-piece set: cami, knee-length nighty, bralette, capris and shorts.  The bralette can be worn on its own or added to the cami and nighty as a shelf bra. The capris and shorts feature an elasticated waistband with optional drawstring, faux fly and side-seam pockets. The capris and shorts can be made from woven or knit fabrics while the cami and nighty are meant for knits.  It is recommended to size down if making the bottoms in knit fabricThe Luna Loungewear comes with a full bust option & is a quick sew that's true to size.  The pattern is also available in girls sizes - Girls Luna Loungewear.

I like that the pattern details both metric and imperial measurements.  I’m a bit awkward & tend to use both, my measurements usually being in inches & fabric/notions in centimetres/metres.

My first set was made with a navy & white tie dye print spun poly stretch fabric, with two-way stretch, & 95% polyester 5% elastane composition.  It feels like a soft cotton jersey and is very comfortable against the skin.  This set was made using the first draft of the pattern.  My second set, the pink & white & tie dye print viscose elastane fabric, was made using the final pattern.  The pink set was a bargain with 3 metres for £7.50, from a well-known auction site and I have enough left to make the nighty or a matching tee shirt.  I omitted the pockets & faux fly on both sets.

As with all Love Notions patterns the sizing is based on the high bust measurement for the cami and nighty, & the full hip measurement for the bottoms.  The full bust option is used if the full bust minus the high bust is 4” or more.

I am usually a UK 14-16 for tops & 16-18 for bottoms and from my measurements I used size L for the cami with the full bust option. 

I made some adjustments to the pattern that are usual for me, these included - 

• Lengthening the front of the shelf bra by an inch otherwise the plush band didn’t sit on my chest under my boobs.  I find this an issue with ready to wear shelf bras too.
• I couldn’t tell the front from the back, so marked with a pin for sewing & matching to the shelf bra, & then added a small piece of ribbon on the inside for future use.

For the Capri’s I used size XL grading and into a size large for the legs. 

The adjustments for the capris to fit my wider high hip and low bottom included - 

• Adding one inch to the crotch length (front to back)
• Adding 1 inch to the back rise
• Scooping out the back curve by 3/8”
• Leaving out the pockets

The sizing was perfect after making my usual adjustments and gave a much better fit than many other patterns I have used.

I used picot elastic for the neck and straps on the blue set but used fold over elastic for the straps on the pink set.

When I make the cami again, I'll try using power mesh for the shelf bra for a bit more support.  Hopefully, the top can then be worn as a daytime cami without the need for a bra.

This is a lovely, comfy set and both have been worn and washed a couple of times & I think they’ll be worn all through the summer months.  A short-sleeved tee shirt will be a great addition to the set when the weather gets cooler.

Again, I’ve enjoyed the testing process and I find it good to work to a time limit, otherwise projects sometimes sit there in the to-do pile!

If you want size inclusive & true to size sewing patterns with good instructions, I recommend Love Notions Sewing Patterns.  They are a US based company with ambassadors & pattern testers all over the world.  You can read about the Love Notions Team on their About page.

There is also a friendly and helpful Facebook group, Love Notions Pattern Support, with members of all levels of sewing experience and people willing to offer advice.

---------------------------------------------------------------

* Post contains affiliate links*

---------------------------------------------------------------

- BACK TO BLOG HOME PAGE -

---------------------------------------------------------------