Pack Light, Travel Far: A Patterned Travel Capsule

By Jessica LuckertSep 17, 2026

Pack Light, Travel Far: A Patterned Travel Capsule

Pack Light, Travel Far: A Patterned Travel Capsule

Hi friends! I'm Jacqui—the Mad Sewing Scientist—and I've been sewing garments for several years. When my Puerto Rico trip came up, I wanted to test out a travel capsule I already had in the making: a collection of patterned pieces that packs small and creates lots of outfit combinations.

The ITY Travel Set

I kept seeing ads for a travel set made from ITY (Interlock Twist Yarn). Although synthetic, the fabric feels cool to the touch, is wrinkle-resistant, and takes very little room in my suitcase—it's one of my go-to materials for traveling. The sets I kept seeing were made in solid colors, but if you know me, you know I can't resist a print! So I created my own version in this fabulous black and off-white peacock print using the following Ellie and Mac patterns:

(Affiliate Links included below)

· Curved Hem Tank (free pattern—I skipped the front pocket)

https://www.ellieandmac.com/products/curved-hem-pocket-tank-pattern?aff=3507

Not So Basic Pants in wide-leg

https://www.ellieandmac.com/products/not-so-basic-pants-pattern?aff=3507

Chapman Cardigan, extended at the bottom for a longer look

https://www.ellieandmac.com/products/adults-chapman-cardigan-pattern?aff=3507

These pieces work well together as a set, but they're just as good mixed with solids. The print gives visual interest while keeping that travel-friendly, easy-care ITY feel. I get a lot of compliments at the airport every time I wear this set!

Swim & Accessories

No tropical vacation is complete without lots of swimsuits! I love making them and have been known to take one for each day away. Why not? They don't take much space. For this trip, I settled on only two: the Candi Square Neck Swim Dress and the Tropical Twist Swimsuit. But I hacked the Candi pattern, following Diana's video, to separate the skirt from the swimsuit. That way I can wear the skirt as a separate piece with both swimsuits as well as a standalone piece that I can pair with different tops for off-the-pool outfits.

Here's what I created:

Candi swimsuit in a tropical print – I simply sewed together the bodice and the bottoms without the skirt in the middle

https://www.ellieandmac.com/products/candi-square-neck-swim-dress-pattern??aff=3507

Candi skirt as a separate piece in the same print—I added a waistband by cutting a 5-inch-wide rectangle (which folds to 2 inches when sewn) and made it 4 inches shorter than the skirt's top measurement. Additionally, I did not hem the skirt bottom and simply cut off the ½-inch seam allowance since this fabric cuts cleanly and doesn't ravel.

Want to see our YouTube Video that Shows How to do This Hack? Tap below!

Tropical Twist Swimsuit in a striking solid color which matches the printed skirt above beautifully! This swimsuit also got a lot of compliments last year on our trip to Cabo 😉

https://www.ellieandmac.com/products/tropical-twist-swimsuit-pattern??aff=3507

Simple cami tops – here I am showing a solid black Carmen top which pairs great with the Candi skirt. I might be able to squeeze in making a couple more of these in solid colors before my trip!

https://www.ellieandmac.com/products/carmen-casual-cami-top-pattern??aff=3507

A Two-for-One: The Reversible Dress

I used a viscose jersey in a botanical print for one side and a bamboo jersey in a coordinating solid color on the reverse. I love that I can wear the printed side one day and flip it to the solid side the next. The paneled skirt adds a lot of movement, but be aware: because it's really full, it's probably best made in fabrics with less vertical stretch. The fabrics I used here are a bit stretchier, so the waistline sits a bit lower than the pattern is designed for. I attempted to add clear elastic between the bodice and skirt to see if it would help, but it actually made it worse, so I removed it. I'm totally okay with the lower waistline look though, and I love how it twirls! I can also add the cardigan in the evenings for yet another look.

https://www.ellieandmac.com/products/adults-reversible-dress-pattern?aff=3507

Rounding up the dress capsule with a few more dresses

Going beyond the mix-and-match combinations, I have to bring a couple more dresses in one of my favorite patterns—The Felicia Custom Fit cup size dress. You have to love a pattern that already includes all the hacks to get the perfect, most flattering fit. I've lost count of how many I've made, but I made one more especially for this trip in this fun pink floral ITY.

I'm also bringing a couple of other Felicia versions in viscose jersey that always make it to my suitcase 😊 They're not as wrinkle-free as ITY, but the prints hide any creases.

https://www.ellieandmac.com/products/felicia-custom-fit-cup-size-dress-pattern??aff=3507

Last but not least: Claudia Cubic Bag

Another piece that always makes it to my suitcase is the Claudia Cubic Bag. I love how the bag closes into a cube with a handle for travel but opens flat at the destination to hold all my toiletries without taking up suitcase space. This is extra helpful in small hotel bathrooms to keep everything contained.

https://www.ellieandmac.com/products/claudia-cubic-bag-pattern??aff=3507