What is Summer without a pair of crisp, classic white trousers?
Image from the NYPost

Description: Unlined pants have fly front, side seam pockets with topstitching detail, back darts, buttonhole welt pockets, contoured self-faced waistband with hook and eye closure. Pants sit 1" below waist.

Even though the pattern envelope seemed to focus more on the jacket (which is fabulous and I will probably make this Fall), I was still drawn to the line of the pants. I decided to use a cotton twill, because I wanted a fabric that could stand on it's own without a lining. I used cotton batiste for the pieces that required lining fabric.

The instructions were great and the pattern was well drafted. I made my usual lengthening alteration to produce a 36" inseam... on these it was around 5". These pants have a "real" front fly and inseam pockets. The also have back darts, single welt pockets and no carriers... so the waistband fit had to be *perfect*. When I made my muslin on these, the gappage at the CB was awful... even with a contoured waistband! The waistband is constructed in two pieces: The left side and the right side. I sewed the pants together without closing the back. I sewed the waistbands onto each side and basted the CB seam so that I could try them on and determine how large of a seam I needed to sew. I added the facing. I would normally use a seam binding, but since the waistband is so narrow, I just finished it by handstitching it down. I then made a 1 3/4" hem.

I love this style of trouser... this is the style that I would normally purchase in RTW. The only thing that I didn't like is the front pocket construction. I wish they had been constructed where the pockets extend to the CF. That is only a minor problem. If/when I make these again, I will just redraft the pockets to do that.

My top!

A girl just can't have too many embellished tanks in her life! LOL This is truly one of those "afternoon, turn a movie on and sew" type of projects. The side seams were done on the serger, and the yoke facing was sewn down while topstitching the yoke. Elastic is added across the back. I think that is a nice feature. I also added elastic to the bottom edge. Instead of sewing, I decided to glue on the embellishments. I can't get enough of these fun, easy tops. They are becoming a Summer staple in my closet!