I am back (it’s been a while) with a new sewing make for you today. See how to make a DIY Co-Ord set today using the Saguaro set by the Friday Pattern Company.

I know it has been a while since I posted. Life sometimes comes at you fast. I have to admit that the blog has taken a bit of a back seat in recent months. One I have felt busy with my full-time job and two my creative oomph just disappeared a bit. But, I am back today with a new sewing make…DIY Co-Ord set.

Now, I made this many months ago, back when we had beautiful summer sunshine, and in time for my holiday to Kefalonia. So, this make might not be quite seasonable for this time of year but is a great loungewear set that you can change up for getting cosy in the house. You can also mix them up and wear them separately, so the outfit possibilities are endless!

So if you would like to see the process of making a DIY Co-Ord set using the Friday Pattern Company’s Saguaro set, then…Let’s get sewing!

DIY Co-Ord Set – Saguaro Set by Friday Pattern Company

I loved this pattern the moment I saw it and knew it had to be put onto my to-be-sewed list.

The Saguaro Set by Friday Pattern Company is a wonderful pattern to make. The instructions are simple but explanatory to make sewing the outfit together as easy as possible. There are a few elements to the set, including making straps, bias binding and even button holes. Therefore, it is a great make for confident beginners and beyond!

One of the great things about this pattern is it is available in PDF format. This means you can purchase it instantly, print it off and assemble it ready to go with the sewing.

Material Choice

For this DIY Co-Ord set and pattern choice, woven fabrics are the main choice. This pattern isn’t suitable for knit/stretch fabric, although I am sure if you can control stretchy fabric well, you could try to give it a go. So, cotton, viscose, linen etc are great fabrics to use for this project.

I opted to use a viscose linen fabric by Pound Fabrics, which unfortunately is no longer available, as I bought it so long ago. However, there are great alternatives on Pound Fabrics, if you would like a similar fabric.

I can’t quite remember how much fabric I purchased, but I would estimate it was between 3-4 metres worth. After making this full set, I still have fabric ready to make possibly shorts or another top.

Aside from the fabric, you will need the usual sewing items of a sewing machine, matching thread etc. You will also need 5cm wide elastic for the waistband parts of both the top and pants in this DIY co-ord set.

DIY Co-Ord Set – Saguaro Top

This project is split into two halves, the top and the pants/trousers. I will start with the top and then move on to the trousers afterwards. So, if you only want to see how to make one over the other, then they are separate.

Step 1 – Make the Straps (optional)

The straps on the Saguaro top are optional, but I like the look of them so added them to my project. They also help hide the deeper V-neck/wrap neckline too so you are not flashing.

To make the straps you need an iron (and asbestos hands) to press in the crease folds. This makes it so much easier to do. First, fold the strap, from the wrong side to the wrong side, and press. This will create a fold down the middle. Then, unfold this and fold the raw ends inwards from both sides to the middle crease. Again, press to create two-fold lines.

Next, unfold the straps at each end, and then fold the short raw end inwards. Then, refold the two longer edges back to how they were before and press again. This should trap all the raw ends in and the straps are ready for sewing.

Sew along all of the open folded edges, backstitching at the start and end. Drop the sewing needle at the corner and turn to carry on sewing. You may need to hand-wind the sewing machine on the shorter ends to stop the fabric from being dragged into the machine.

Then the straps are ready to go!

Step 2 – Add Straps to the top & form top

Take the two front top pieces and place each strap on either side as indicated on the pattern piece. Make sure this is on the wrong sides of the fabric.

Head to the sewing machine and turn the stitching to the largest possible because we are going to baste stitch the straps into place. A baste stitch is a great one to use for holding pieces into place, as it is strong enough to hold in place but large enough to remove the stitching easily.

Once you add the straps, it is time to add the front and back of the tops together. Place the back part of the top right side facing upwards. Then, place the two front pieces right sides down, lining up the raw edges along the top of the top. Pin into place, then sew a seam along this.
I like to finish the raw edges to give a bit more of a professional look to the clothing. Unfortunately, I do not have an overlocker to do this fancily, so used the zig-zag stitch option on my machine instead.

Step 3 – Create Bias Binding and Finish Neckline

The next step in making the Saguaro top is to create the bias binding to finish the neckline of the top. This is fairly easy to create once you know how.
Take the two bias binding pieces from the pattern and place them together with the raw edges sitting diagonally. They should look similar to a right angle. Then sew along this diagonal line to connect.
Next, grab the iron and press it in the same way as the straps. Press in half, and then into thirds. Don’t fold the ends in like the straps though. The bias binding is then ready to attach to the neckline.

Place the one edge of the bias binding to the raw edges of the neckline, unfolding the crease. These should be right sides together. My remaining folded edge folded away from the sewing needle.
Pin into place and then begin sewing along the unfolded crease line. Sew around the neckline until you reach the other side.

Then, fold the bias binding over the raw edge of the neckline, keeping the remaining edge folded. This should capture all of the raw edges inside. Pin it in place again and then sew along the original seam line (previous bias binding stitch).

Step 4 – Complete the Top and Add the Waistband

Next, match up the arm side seams, pinning and sewing them into place. Make sure to turn the top inside out for this part. Finish off the seams too.

Then overlap the front bottom edges and baste this into place. This will create a mini wrap-effect neckline. Then it is time to create the waistband for the top.

Take the waistband pieces and connect the two pieces (back and front) attaching them at the two short edges. This should create a circle of the material. Press the seams open and flat, then press the waistband piece in half, the wrong sides placed together.
Pin the waistband along the raw edge of the bottom of the top, right sides together. Match the side seams of both together, leaving a gap at the back also. This will help thread the elastic through.

Sew around the pinned edge, backstitching at either side of the gap left. Then, fold the waistband down and press the seam upwards.

Step 5 – Add Elastic and Hem

Next, it is time to add the elastic to the waistband. Once you have the correct amount of elastic for your waist, place a safety pin in the end and begin threading it through the gap left. Keep going until it comes through the other side of the gap. Make sure it doesn’t twist as you are threading it through.

Then, use a zig-zag stitch to secure the ends of the elastic together and place them inside the waistband. Close up the gap by continuing the existing seam, and finishing the raw edge around the waistband.

Next topstitch the waistband, stretching the elastic as you sew, gently. You want to topstitch along the top and bottom edges of the waistband.

Finally, complete a hem around the raw edges of the sleeves. Press by 1cm inwards, and fold again, pressing, like a rolled hem. Then the Saguaro top is complete and the rest of the DIY Co-Ord set can now be sewn.

DIY Co-Ord Set – Saguaro Bottoms

Now it is time to sew the Saguaro bottoms to complete the set. These pants are a loose fit with an elasticated waist and are super comfy. They are perfect for lounging, or as I made them for, relaxing on the beach.
Before sewing, make sure to mark all relevant notches as well as the buttonholes.

Step 1 – Add Pockets

Before sewing the trousers together, we first need to add the pockets.
Start by placing the corresponding pocket facing on the diagonal edge of the trouser front pieces. Pin and sew into place, finishing the seam also. Press the seam allowance and pocket facing away from the trouser leg and then edgestitch this in place.

Next place the pocket back pieces, with the right sides together with the pocket facing. Pin along the curved edge and sew, finishing the seam. Then, fold the pocket inwards, lining up the notches along the top and side. Use a baste stitch to keep them in place. You should then have trouser legs with working pockets.

Step 2 – Connect the Trouser legs

Star by placing the two front leg pieces, right sides touching. Pin around the front crotch curve and then head to the sewing machine to connect the two. Finish the seam like the rest and press the seam to one side.

Repeat the same process with the two back leg pieces, pinning and sewing along the back crotch seam. Again, finish the seam as before and press the seam to one side. Ideally, you want the front and back seams pressed in the same direction when they are joined.

To complete the pants (without waistband) connect the front and back legs.
Place the back legs facing upwards and the front legs facing downwards, together. Then pin along the outside side seam. Sew together and finish the seam. Next, pin the inside seam together and sew along this to join. Be careful not to close the legs up when doing this.

You should now have something that resembles a pair of pants and the DIY Co-Ord set is taking shape. Next, we need to add the waistband.

Step 3 – Complete the Waistband

The completion of the waistband is the same as the Saguaro top. Before this, buttonholes need to be placed into the waistband, so that ties can be added.

My machine has a buttonhole foot to make sewing buttonholes easier. On the pattern pieces, the placement of the buttonholes is indicated. Mark these with an erasable marker, I like the water erasable ones, but there are heat erasable versions, as well as good old fashion tailor chalk.
Sew the buttonholes as directed, making sure to have added the fabric stabiliser beforehand. This will add stability to the button holes, especially when the ties are added afterwards.

After sewing the buttonholes, fold the waistband in half with the wrong sides touching. Press this into place. Then place the raw edges of the waistband around the raw edges of the pant legs. Make sure these are right sides together. The button holes should be central to the front of the trousers, ensuring the front crotch seam is in between the two button holes. Pin the waistband into place, leaving a gap like on the top. Sew into place, backstitching the two ends of the gap for added strength.

Step 4 – Add Elastic and Add Ties

Next, add in the elastic, like the top version, and use a safety pin, in the end, to aid in pulling the elastic through. Once it has reached the other side of the gap, pull it through and secure the two ends with a zig-zag stitch. I like to complete a few rows of stitching to make sure it is extra secure and doesn’t undo once encased in the waistband.

Close up the gap once the elastic is inside, and finish the seam. Then like the Saguaro top, edgestitch the top and bottom edges of the waistband, gently stretching the elastic as you sew.

To finish off the waistband, we need to add the ties. Create these, in the same way, as the ties as the front tie of the Saguaro top. Press the ties in half, unfold and press the raw edges towards the middle fold line. Then, press this in half so the raw edges are folded inside. Press the raw edges from the short ends inwards and then refold so all in inside. Sew along the open edges.

When the tie is complete, use the same method as adding the elastic by placing a safety pin in one end. Thread this through one of the buttonholes, all the way around the waistband until it reaches the other buttonhole. Pull the tie through until both sides are equal. Place a knot in both ends to stop them from going back through the button holes.

Then the trousers are nearly complete.

Step 5 – Hem the trousers

The final step in the DIY Co-Ord is to hem the bottom of the trousers. Turn the raw edge of the bottom of the pants inwards by approx. 1cm, pressing into place. Then, fold inwards again, so the raw edge is inside. Press and then sew along the folded edge. Backstitch at the start and end of the seam for added strength.

Then the Saguaro trousers are complete as is the DIY Co-Ord set.

What do you think of the DIY Co-Ord set, will you be sewing your own Saguaro lounge set? Let me know in the comments below!

DIY Co-Ord Set – Video

Here is the video version of this post. It may be easier to follow along with the tutorial through the video. Don’t forget to like the video if you have enjoyed it, and why not subscribe to my channel to keep up with all of my creative and crafty antics on YouTube.

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