I’m bringing the overall enthusiasm with this Kwik Sew 4138 sewing pattern review! (see what I did there?) These me-made overalls sat in my UFO pile for months until I forced myself to finally hem them. Now, they’re one of my most worn clothing items and I absolutely love how they turned out! Keep reading to hear more about my experience sewing the K4138 sewing pattern along with a full Kwik Sew sewing pattern review!
Revisiting The Pattern:
I first made the pinafore version of this pattern a while back, which left me with mixed feelings. It felt a bit too young for me and the flouncy skirt didn’t quite work for my body type. I felt like a wannabe 12-year-old trying to cosplay as Belle when I wore it, and that is so not my vibe! After seeing a few versions of the overalls on my IG though, I thought I’d give this pattern one more go.
I am MUCH HAPPIER with the relaxed look of the overalls vs. the preppier style of the pinafore! The easy fit lends for a casual-cool vibe which is so much more my speed. This garment is also incredibly easy to move in while still offering shaping at the waist thanks to the fitted waistband. So, I can enjoy the wide-leg silhouette without feeling like I’m trying to bring back parachute pants, haha!
Back From The *Almost* Dead:
The funny thing is that I actually started this project several months ago. When I got to my final try-on before hemming, I honestly could not stand them on me! I typically prefer my clothes to be more form-fitting (especially on the bottom) so the ultra-relaxed silhouette of the legs initially felt too frumpy for my liking. I toyed around with the idea of tapering the legs. But, without unpicking the waistband and undoing the zipper, I couldn’t see a convenient way to get the look I wanted. I was so frustrated and disappointed I just threw them into my UFO box to deal with “later”.
Inevitably, I found myself in a sewing rut, and digging through my box of unfinished makes searching for a win. I had 2 failed projects under my belt and needed a pallet cleanser. Once I came across this project after months of letting it sit, I decided to finally just hem the damn overalls. That way, I could at least be proud of myself for completing a project.
…And wouldn’t ya know that I went and fell in love with them! I guess sometimes all you need to turn a project around is a little time and space away from it. Once I came back with fresh eyes, I really loved the relaxed fit. It works so well for more casual days, and to wear at home with my kiddo. I especially like the look of the pant legs cuffed up to a cropped length for a more laid-back vibe.
Fabrication:
The overalls are made using a black rayon/poly blend I purchased from JoAnn’s (similar here). It’s a midweight, but airy material that has a comparable look and feel to linen. I love how the fabric continues to get softer after every wash, and I’m pleasantly surprised to say that I haven’t noticed any fading so far! I also made a set of napkins from some of the scraps, so this fabric gets plenty of wash and wear and has held up great.
**Update after 1 year of wear: Since I wear these overalls mostly at home, I’m on the ground a lot with my little one, and the material on the knees hasn’t even started wearing yet! In the cooler months I wear them multiple times a week (don’t judge me!) so they’ve definitely been well-loved, so I am really impressed by the quality of the fabric!
Notions:
The wood-like buttons used on the bib were purchased from Jo’s as well (similar here). I’m a sucker for mixing black and brown, and I dig how the earthy tone of the buttons warms up the garment a bit. I wish they were real wood instead of painted plastic, but they’ve held up well and have an organic look to them, so I’m not mad about it.
As for the zipper and small black button I used for the back closure, I used what I already had on hand. Buttons are the one notion I can never get enough of, which really came in handy for this project!
Sizing:
My body measurements put me at a size Medium (see them below!), however, I decided to sew the Small based on the ease. Although this sizing fits perfectly on the bottom, the bib is just slightly too small for my liking, so I think I’ll try a Medium for the bib next time. I also shortened the shoulder straps by about 2 inches. Overall, I’d say this pattern is true to size with a relaxed feel. If you’re not into the wide-leg look, I’d suggest going down in size for the legs, but keep the waistband as-is based on your measurements because it is fitted!
Instructions:
As a beginner myself, I love how beginner-friendly this sewing pattern is! Big 4 sewing patterns (McCall’s, Kwik Sew, etc.) tend to be very to the point with their instructions and offer little hand-holding in my opinion. That’s why I tend to favor Indie patterns that offer more clarity with their instructions (Helen’s Closet and TATB are a couple of my favorites for this reason!). However, this pattern was straightforward enough that I could figure it out without having to reread instructions over and over. The only fiddly bit was sewing in the zip at the back. BUT, I know that’s something that’ll continue to get easier with practice. I will say though, I’m very pleased with how this one turned out! I only had to unpick and re-sew it once, which is a new record for me, haha!
Styling:
This sewing pattern is a community favorite and I can totally see why! It’s deceptively comfortable and easy to style. The fact that I made these overalls in a solid black fabric certainly helps, but I adore that this piece can be styled in multiple ways depending on your mood. This look is super on-trend right now as well, which makes it work for several different occasions based on what you wear it with, and how you accessorize it. I would never have thought to dress it up, but after a session of playing dress-up in my closet, I came up with this boss-ass outfit:
And I LOVE it! The big sleeve energy on the top helps to balance out the wider leg opening, and the delicate heel softens it all up. I can easily see myself wearing this look out for brunch with my girls or for a date night with my husband at our favorite local brewery.
But don’t take my word for it! Which outfit would you rock the overalls with?
Thank you so much for reading this Kwik Sew 4138 Sewing Pattern Review! Want to see more pattern reviews? If you love elevated everyday pieces, then you need to see this Zadie Jumpsuit. Do you have overall enthusiasm too? Check out my review of the Patsy Overalls here!
Happy Making!
-XO-
C
Quick + Dirty Details:
PATTERN: Kwik Sew 4138 View B
FABRIC: Rayon+Poly Linen Look Fabric from JoAnn Fabrics (similar)
NOTIONS:
SIZE: I made a size S. According to the pattern, my measurements put me at a M, however, there is a ton of ease so the S was great. My measurements are:
- B: 37.5″
- W: 31″
- H: 40″
- Height: 5’4″
ADJUSTMENTS:Â Shortened shoulder straps 2in.
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