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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Linen Silk Skinny Pants


Happy Tuesday! Here is another garment made from a lovely Britex fabric! You can find the original post on the Britex blog here.

Since spring fashions hit the stores earlier this year, I've been a little obsessed: I keep seeing a style of skinny pants called "joggers". I was particularly taken with joggers made from linen. Joggers typically (though not always) feature an elastic waist with a drawstring, patch pockets, and hems finished with either elastic or ribbing. You can see a few on my Joggers Pinterest page.

When Britex asked if I would like to sew a garment from their linen selection I was immediately drawn to this beautiful white linen silk blend with a green abstract reptile print:

Sheer Emerald Snake Print Linen and Silk Blend

I have always loved linen blended with silk! It wrinkles less than 100% linen and has a lovely drape. Because this fabric is a bit sheer, I lined it with Snow White Viscose.

For the pattern, I used Vogue 8909, view C. I did a simple alteration that I often do, because I am a card carrying member of the "Impossibly Tiny Bottom Club" (extra points if you get the reference): I used a medium for the front pant and an extra small for the back pant, cutting the crotch in a medium for both front and back.

I shortened the pants by 1", omitted the cuffs (I decided against elastic at the hem), and replaced the inseam pocket with patch pockets (which are difficult to see in the print).

I lined the pocket and reinforced the slanted opening with a strip of selvedge from the white viscose

The finished pocket

In effect, I made two pair of pants: one from the linen/silk, and a second pair from the white viscose. I hemmed the lining 1" shorter than the linen, and joined both layers at the waist. They are joined only at the waist.

Finishing the waistband by hand

I love my linen pants!
Right now we are experiencing cold, wet, foggy San Francisco weather (it's a good thing you can't see the goosebumps I had while doing this photo shoot), but when warm weather eventually arrives...
I am ready!

Vogue 8909