Pattern Review – Zigzag Harem Pants [Pattern Emporium]

Pattern: Harem Pants by Pattern Emporium, via Indiesew
Fabric: poly challis from Burkholder Fabrics

Tee: Banana Republic
Lipstick: MAC Russian Red

Pants are still a garment that I haven’t figured out yet, mostly because I haven’t taken the time to really try to get a pattern to fit.  Sure, I made some floral pants last year that were pretty close, but I have yet to get a TNT pattern that’s a go-to anytime I want to make some pants.  I also wear jeans 24/7 most of the year, another reason I haven’t thrown myself into sewing pants.

However, I’m really digging this whole “track pants” thing, and I’ve seen some cute printed pants around the office that look easy-breezy to wear on hot summer days.  The Hudson Pants are a great knit track pants pattern, and I needed one for woven fabrics, like the Harem Pants that Allie made recently.

Honestly, there’s not much to say about elastic-waist pants other than they are ridiculously comfortable to wear!  The sizing was a little weird on these – looking at the finished pattern measurements, I cut out a 10 in the slim version of the pattern since it matched my hip measurement, but they ended up being waaaaay too big in the hips and waist.  This version is a size 8, and it’s spot on.

I like that there’s a section of the instructions that show you how to customize the pants with different types of pockets, a drawstring option, and hem lengths.  I opted for the angled pocket option and decided to leave the hem open at the bottom instead of using elastic to gather the cuff.  The pockets bow out a little bit at the hips, but that’s probably my fault when I basted them down to the side seams.

One of my hesitations with elastic-waist pants is how the butt is going to fit as well as the elastic waistband being bunchy around the middle.  No problem here!  I was pleasantly surprised with how well-drafted the back is – plenty of room to sit and I don’t feel like I’m wearing some lumpy old-lady pants, these are nice and sleek.  If I make another pair of these, which I probably will since they’re a snap to make, I’ll attach the waistband differently – I didn’t care for the exposed edge inside and would rather have a cleaner, more finished looking waistband.

On a side-note, I was quite happy with how my french braids turned out on my first attempt braiding my hair last weekend.  I don’t think I’ll be wearing my hair like that anytime soon during the week, but it was a fun alternative to throwing my hair up in a bun when it’s hot!  Hmm, how old is too old to wear pigtail braids…