Elemeno Pocket Joggers - My New Favourite Kid's Pattern

Last year (sounds like ages ago doesn't it?!) I was contacted by the designer of Elemeno patterns, a small-but-growing children's sewing pattern range, to see if I'd like to try out and review one of their styles. Dolores has grown out of their size range (2T-3T is the largest size), and knowing that I was due to have a little boy, I asked to try out the Pocket Joggers pattern as I thought I'd find it the most useful.

Pattern:

The Pocket Joggers are very similar to my former favourite kids pattern: some dropped crotch joggers from Ottobre Design, except these have pockets and a separate waistband piece (rather than an elasticated waist). I like that the pocket mouths, waistband and cuffs offer lots of options for contrast fabrics.

But the best things of all? It is possible to make these entirely with an overlocker/serger! I didn't get my regular sewing machine out once, which was great because I made these whilst I was heavily pregnant and wanted to keep lifting machinery to a minimum. There is the option to topstitch the pocket bags to the front trouser pieces to keep them in place which would require a regular sewing machine, but I didn't do that on these.

I made a variety of sizes: the white anchor ones are 0-3 months, the blue arrow fabrics ones are 3-6 months and 6-12 months, and the floral print are 2T-3T. The pattern seemed well drafted and the construction was quick and simple.

Fabric:

Knit fabric is required for this pattern, however it is important to choose a knit with an elastane/lycra/spandex content. I found this 100% cotton rib anchor print T-shirt in a charity shop for £3.50. I was so into using it for this project but found that the waistband stretched out after a couple of wears. I dealt with it by unpicking a little bit and inserting some elastic, but hopefully the other pairs won't require that. My prediction is that a fabric waistband may not hold up quite as well as an elastic one, but will probably be more comfortable to wear, making these potentially fantastic pyjama bottoms too.

The blue arrow and floral print (now out of stock) fabric are from knit-specialists Girl Charlee, both of which I had left over from making Cordelia maternity camisoles. The larger of the blue arrow trousers and the floral ones were made as gifts, although sadly the little boy's legs were too chubby for the arrow ones so they've been re-gifted back to Frankie! 

 Thoughts:

Looking at these pictures I'm reminded of how hot and uncomfortable I was in my last few weeks of pregnancy when I made these. Thankfully, this pattern is such a quick and easy make that I was able to be pretty productive despite my disposition! It's a great scraps-and-small-pieces buster too. I'd like to try making them in a crazy mash up of different prints. Also, I feel strongly that kids should be comfortable and unrestricted by their clothing. So for all these reasons, I imagine I'll be returning to this pattern often. What's your favourite kid's sewing pattern?