Matching Set ft. Ashton Top & Saturday Shorts

I have been wanting to make a matching set for SO long. I’m not really into jumpers because of the awkward bathroom situation potential, so matching sets are way more my style and comfort.

I got this beautiful midweight linen from my friend Pauline when she was giving away her stash last summer. It used to be a very blush pink, and I dyed it to be this really cool hot pink. I let it sit for a while to decide what I was going to make with it. Then I recently bought the Ashton Top pattern and thought that this fabric would make a cute woven tank. When I laid the pattern out on the fabric, I realized I had enough fabric to make matching shorts, and the rest is history.

I made the size 12, even though my waist and hips are in the size 14 range. I looked at the finished measurements of the 12 and the hips had plenty of ease, so I wasn’t worried. I made view A, and the only adjustment I made was to lower the bust dart by 3/4″ (shown below, 1st photo), which was the perfect amount. I think next time I’ll lower the armscye by ~1/2″ because it’s a little too close to the armpit area for me. But other than that, I really like it!

I had fun cutting bias binding for on the Ashton Top and pocket linings for my shorts with my Indian block printed fabrics (shown below, 2nd photo). Both fabrics are left over from recent shirts that I’ve blogged about. I’m always happy when I can use those for other projects as a fun detail.

I’ve made the Saturday Shorts many times now, and I really love them, but I wanted to try adding slash pockets to them. To do that, I subtracted the amount from the rise that would usually be the waistband, then cut a new piece for the waistband. Then I drafted slash pockets and changed the front pattern piece. And that’s it! I just sewed them together like other pants and shorts I’ve made before. I somehow made the rise a little bit too high for me, but it’s not too bad. I’ll have to adjust that in the future.

I’ve always made this shorts pattern in a cotton twill fabric, so it was fun to try them in a midweight linen. They feel a little bit roomier and more flowy.

I LOVE that these two pieces go so well with the things in my closet. Who knew hot pink shorts went with so many things?? What’s funny is that I’ve worn these pieces out separately, but I feel a little more self-conscious about wearing them together. Is that weird?

It’s such a cute set though and we have a cruise coming up soon, so I think it will be a nice outfit for exploring new places in the summer heat.

Now I’m curious – Are you more into jumpers or matching sets?

Pattern & Fabric Details
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Ashton Top by Helen’s Closet + Saturday Shorts by EA Sews

Thank you for reading today’s blog post and I hope you have a great day! Happy matching set sewing. xoxo