Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Au Bonheur Harem Pants


If you've been reading my blog for long, you probably know I like a harem-style pant. But, you may notice that I like my harem pants to be somewhat fitted through the hips. I am not a fan of a dropped crotch on my body.

I've had this Au Bonheur pattern for some time:



While I liked the detail on the legs of these pants, I was not completely loving the other aspects of the pattern. Then I saw these Kokomarina pants:


The silhouette of these pants inspired me to give the Au Bonheur pattern a try. I altered the pattern to raise the crotch. A lot. I think I raised it more than a foot, copying the crotch from another pattern. (I altered these awhile ago and I can't remember, for sure, which pattern I used.)


I made these using a drapey rayon from Fabrix. It looks grey in the photos but is more of an olive color. They are constructed so that they are, essentially, a partial leg inside of a partial leg. They are not attached beyond the mid thigh and my knees peep out occasionally as I move. It's a bit strange.


Besides raising the crotch, I shortened these to a crop length by cutting off about 4".

Once I had gotten these to the point where they were done, except for the bands at the hem, I was not that happy with them and set them aside for some weeks. I finally decided to go ahead and finish them. I liked them better with the bands. A bit.


My only real complaint is how wide these pants are through the hips. They are approx 8" wider than my actual hips. If I make these again (and I'm not sure that I will), I plan to alter the pattern further to make them more fitted in that area. There is no side seam, so it's an alteration best handled before cutting them out.



38 comments:

  1. oooo I LOVE the lines on the Kokomarina pants! So is there no side seam on the pants? I would think there's promise here for some summery long pants, with the "vented" aspect of them.

    They may not be ideal as is (I hate the dropped crotch look, personally), but I think they definitely have hope if you fit the hips more.....

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    1. Correct, no side seam. That's true, they are breezy. ;)

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  2. I can see why you like this style, they really suit you with the fitted hips. Your topstitching is great too :)

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    1. Thanks, Dilliander. I think this style helps balances my uber bust.

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  3. I think they look fabulous. I do wish Au Bonheur were still in operation I always love the things you make from their patterns

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    1. Thanks, Jane! I keep hoping that the designers will resurface, creating designs for another pattern company.

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  4. Oh, I do love a harem pant! I quite like these, particularly with the "air- conditioning"
    Drape. I'm glad you hung in there!

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  5. This is wonderful pants , you are so beautiful wearing it. I love love its color, and its finishing of course. I am going to make one for my sister, but my own pattern will be different.

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    1. Thanks, Lily! You have a lucky sister. :)

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  6. Hey Shams: First of all....happy belated b'day! Now down to sewing business! I'm not a harem pants fan but these are seriously cute and I don't think they are too full in the hips at all. They look really good on you, too. I can't believe all the alterations you did on these...such skill and patience you have. Good on you!
    Helen

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  7. These look wonderful on you! The proportions suit you. I like the interesting seaming - raises these pants above the mundane.

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    1. Thanks, Irene! I do like the seaming but the air conditioning is strange. ;)

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  8. Those are very flattering on you.

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  9. These pants look nice on you. I love the way you're able to take a fashion and adapt it to your figure needs. These pants are no exception. Very stylish! I love the drape of your fabric. Well done, as per usual. I am also guilty of putting something down and not looking at it for a week or two. I have a top like that now. I'm determined to finish it t his week so I can get onto other stuff.

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    1. Thanks, Kuby. Yes, sometimes things languish for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it makes sense to abandon a project and move on. :)

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  10. Those Au Bonheur ones are interesting and look great on you, Shams. They really do balance your figure nicely.

    I love harem pants and have a really funky pair from an old Issey Miyake pattern that I still wear regardless of the funny looks I get. ;)

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    1. I can't believe you get funny looks on an Issey Miyake! He's classic. :)

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  11. You know the thing I love most about your sewing is that you stay true to your style...you don't try to be anyone but who you are! Now I could never get away with these pants but on you I go doesn't Shams look great! And you do my dear, you really do!

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    1. Thanks, Carolyn. I really appreciate that! I agree, these pants work on me because I'm top heavy. It's much more common for women to carry their weight on the bottom and harem pants are not as flattering in that scenario.

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  12. These are a great style on you and as Carolyn said, true to your individual style. Not a pair of pants that I can get away with, but you look wonderful in them.

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  13. I think the pants look great. I like the modified 'harem' look. I think its unique and stylish and can be dressy or casual, too. Perfect addition to anyone's wardrobe.

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    1. Thanks, sewforward! Maybe I should experiment with dressy/casual looks.

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  14. Me too! I like your version better, they are really stylish (just like their owner!)
    Happy belated birthday!

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    1. Thanks, Martinez! And let me say I love your blog!

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  15. I love harem pants so long as they drape well. These meet the bill. Love the boho chic of the total look.

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    1. Good point, Gail. These do require a drapey fabric. A knit would work, too. But I'd still prefer them to fit better through the hips. :)

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  16. You wear these really well. I am envious. They look great.

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  17. These are very interesting and flattering. You really make every pattern reflect your own style-I am so inspired by that! What do you think of those pants without the band at the bottom for those of us with bigger hips?

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    1. Thanks so much, Mary! Maybe... Though I still think something less voluminous at the hips is more flattering, regardless of shape.

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  18. I love the look of harem pants; just not on me! LOL. Truly, they look great on you!

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  19. Those are such cool pants. For some reason the leg in a leg design really intrigues me. I wonder if that could be used for a sleeve design.

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  20. Why aren't you designing patterns (for sale)? I know it's a talent of its own, and you've got the goods! And please make the more narrowedly-hipped ones, just because I want to see them - uh - oh, yes - and because you want to, right? The current ones are great on you! And Happy Belated Birthday! (I spent me entire 50th year thinking I was 52. What is it about those early 50's?)
    Thanks once more.

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