Hi Everyone,

Despite everything going on the world right now, I am continuing with my sewing and blogging. I am so pleased with how these pants turned out. The pattern I used is (out of print) Vogue 8836. I was drawn to the pattern as soon as it was released, but was waiting for the right fabric to come my way. Who said short, curvy women can’t wear wide leg pants? Hopefully, you all agree that these look effortless and might be tempted to try a style like this yourself.

The fabric is this almond crinkle double crepe from Fabworks. OMG this is amazing fabric, and the perfect weight for drapey pants like these. They did not require lining at all, and being as they are polyester, I don’t need to be precious with them. I can just throw them in the wash, they need practically no ironing and they feel fabulous on. The fabric is called crinkle, but they are not really crinkled…they just have a subtle textured surface to them.

This is a really well drafted and easy to sew pattern. The pocket flaps you can see in the back are just faux ones…there is no actual pocket there, but they add some interest and help to break the back view up. Personal styling tip: if you are going to wear wide legged pants like this and you are not that tall (hello: moi!) then you probably need to hem them to wear with a heel. I am totally into the trainer trend at the moment, so hemmed these pants specifically to wear with these flatform trainers, but I can also wear them with other shoes in my wardrobe.

The top is a hack of the Pauline Alice Eliana dress, which I have made once before as a dress, and twice as tops (here and here). To make the gathered neckline I omitted the bias binding finish and straightened the tops of the front, back and sleeves and essentially added 4.25 inches of height to allow me to fold the top edge down to form a casing. I also omitted sewing the sleeve darts and just turned and hemmed the front seam to form the neck slit. I also shortened the sleeves by 1.5 inches and took a 2 inch hem. My neck ties are approximately 1 3/8ths wide by 30 inches long. My fabric is a viscose crepe.

Pattern Review

Pattern Description:

Very loose-fitting, slightly flared pants have button waistband, front pleats, side front pockets and mock, fly front zipper. A and B: stitched hems. C: carriers, back-button flaps and cuffs.

I made view B but cut the length of view A and added 6 inches to the pattern. I also added the flaps from view C.

Pattern Sizing:

8 – 24.

I cut a size 20.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I just love how these pants turned out. Love the drafting and the ease of wearing. So comfortable. And very easy to sew. Nothing to dislike, although there may be an error in the pattern at the pocket construction? You have to snip into the seam allowance at the bottom of the pocket to release the fabric.

Fabric Used:

A polyester double crepe.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

• 1 inch full bum adjustment
• 1 inch full tummy adjustment
• I slashed and spread the front and back crotches out by 5/8ths inch and lowered both of them by 3/8ths inch. This is different to scooping the crotch! If you scoop the crotch expect to have to add width to the side seams etc to compensate.
• Interfaced zipper area.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I don’t know if I need another of these in my wardrobe, but never say never. These are just so classic and a different fabric would bring a completely different look. I definitely recommend.

Conclusion:

Make like Katherine Hepburn pronto!

Keep safe and sewing everyone.