In general, I think that loose/wide trousers don’t do me many favours.  But recently I remembered that I had a green and white gingham pair of trousers that I’d made from McCalls 8740 back in the 90s that I really loved to wear.  So I dug out the pattern and made another pair.

I really do like this pair of pants. The fabric is a fairly tightly woven mid-weight cotton, in a very dark navy that is shifts slightly in colour throughout the weave. It came from an earlier raid on the Darn Cheap Fabrics $2 per metre table. It was beautiful fabric to work with, and sewed and ironed perfectly.

One of the nice details about this pattern is the pockets. They have a little “step” at the bottom, and are drafted with the curves of the abdomen in mind – they don’t lie flat when you have them on a table, but sit perfectly on the body. There is a simple elastic waist, with an additional drawstring tie threaded through buttonholes.

The legs are very straight and full. I shortened the pattern in two places, halfway down the leg, and through the rise. Then I whacked two inches from the length as well, before turning a wide double fold hem and top-stitching it into place.

These look ridiculously short and wide when on a hanger, but they fit me well. It’s all about proportion, I suppose! I tried them on with a loose top and it was a complete disaster – they need a top that either has some waist definition or is rather fitted. Of course, I will NEVER be tucking anything in to them.

So, my verdict? I still think that this is a terrific pants pattern, despite the 1997 copyright date. It has reminded me that I used to own a pair of loose white linen pants and a pair of loose black washed-silk pants that I wore until they pretty much fell apart. Maybe they need to be re-created in this pattern too? Or are they a bit too much like pyjama pants?

Maybe I need to press a crease down the centre.