Ice cream trousers of dreams!

Hello there! I hope you’re having a good Sunday, preferably with some better weather than we’ve got in Leeds right now.  I’m kind of hanging in there; I’ve felt awful this weekend, think I’m fighting an ear infection but I’ve just felt totally wiped out.

However, I had a deadline to get some photos taken so, whilst I was at it, I thought I would show you my new ice cream pants!

These are actually my make for Sew My Style this month. Yes, I know they’re not a kimono.  I’ve come out of Me Made May feeling slightly overwhelmed by how many things I really want to make so I’ve decided to go easy on myself and substitute the pattern this month.  I really don’t have a burning need for a kimono in my life right now, so instead, I’ve made up a different Helen’s Closet pattern; the Winslow Culottes.

I actually picked this pattern up last year when Helen had a sale on but I hadn’t got around to making it just yet.  It’s jumped to the top of the list because I’m hoping to get a few pairs made up in different lengths before our holidays.  I’m afraid that the hot weather and my May pledge to wear more dresses merely highlighted to me that actually, when it’s hot, I don’t want bare legs rubbing against each other, thank you; I want shorts or floaty trousers.

Enter the culottes. I really love the full, floaty look of this pattern with its deep pleats front and back to add additional fullness.  So, as a starting point, I decided to embrace my desire to cut down my fabric stash this year by cutting a full length pair out of the ice cream fabric of dreams.

Oh, this fabric! I picked it up from B&M Fabrics on Leeds market at least 2 if not 3 summers ago and I have been hoarding it for the “perfect” project ever since, loathe to waste that glorious print.  But I decided to just go for it and use it for a wearable toile! As you do!

The print is fab (an Andy Warhol ice cream, no less!); the fabric is quite man-made feeling but I think that will work in its favour as trousers; it isn’t going to crease too badly.  It was pretty slippery to sew with, but I was expecting that and compensated with additional pins.  But it does have a good weight to it and was surprisingly well behaved when pressed.

The pattern was pretty straightforward.  I fell between sizes somewhat but decided to go down a size and substitute a 3/8″ seam allowance for the 5/8″ stated in the pattern.  I also added 1.5 cm to the back rise to allow for a bigger bum!

There are only 4 pattern pieces (front and back legs, pockets and waistband) so it was pretty easy to cut out.  I had 2.7m of the fabric which, after cutting, was about 40cm so I’d say the requirement for 2.5m on the packet was pretty accurate.

Making these up was straightforward, with good instructions included and everything fitting together as it should.  I overlocked the hell out of everything as my fabric was VERY prone to fraying but other than that, everything went smoothly.

I absolutely LOVE the finished trousers.  Yes, I know they could be described as clown pants, but I care not one bit.  I think they are the perfect showcase for this gorgeous print and, paired with a simple, plain top they are my ideal holiday evening pants.  And let’s be honest, they’re not just going to get worn on holiday; they’re way too comfy for that!

So a worthy substitution for a kimono I don’t need right now, and definitely a pattern that I will be reaching for again in all its different lengths.

Clown pants for the win!

Becca x

Details

Pattern Helen’s Closet Winslow Culottes

Fabric 2.5m of ice cream print (possibly polyester?) from the deep stash!

My measurements

Bust: 36″

Waist: 31″

Hips: 41″

Size cut

12

Adjustments made

Added 1.5cm to the back rise (by cutting a parallel line across the trousers level with the back notch and pivoting from the side seam)

Used a 3/8″ rather than 5/8″ seam allowance

Future adjustments

None

Make again? 

Definitely! Think I need some shorter length ones to supplement my supply of holiday shorts and also probably a knee length pair for warmer UK days