Hi Friends!

I am delighted to share with you the story of my husband’s embarrassment today! and of course, my wide legged pants and modified crop top. See, usually I am the one squirming in discomfort while being photographed while neighbors and onlookers stop by, smile and sometimes stare! and he? he’s the calm and cool photographer, amused at my ridiculousness and trying to get me to smile. But not this day my friends! not this day! That door behind me is actually a restaurant and I am standing in the doorway hidden from the patrons’ line of vision. My husband on the other hand, while looking like a lost Romeo is in full view of the guests, changing camera settings and taking pictures. He kept mumbling how it wasn’t okay to take pictures because we hadn’t even dined there! I just about died laughing at our role reversal!

Now you know why I am so at-ease in all these pictures. Obviously, the outfit has a little something to do with it as well. Wide legged pants, high waisted and paired with a crop top is way out of my usual zone but that’s what sewing and the sewing community has unlocked for me. So what if it’s a style that I am not immediately drawn to? it’s still worth a shot especially when it rates so high in the comfort department right?

These Samara Pants by Itch to Stitch are wide-legged high waisted pants that are easy to fit and quick to sew. They have darts in the back to help with shaping and fitting across the waist and hips. And in order to be able to get in and out of these stylish and elegant pants, there’s an invisible zipper in the side. While I chose to make them floor length, the pattern offers lengthening/shortening lines to increase/decrease rise and length and instructions on how to shorten them for ankle length, knee length, or any length.

what I love most about this pattern is how well all the volume at the bottom is balanced by the perfectly fitted waist.

For the Samara Pants fabric, I chose a modal denim from JoAnn fabrics. I hope the texture of the fabric is evident in the pictures, but it drapes really well and has some weight to it. It was not difficult to handle or press and installing the invisible side zipper was a breeze.

The only change I made to the pattern was to shorten the length by 4.5″ and I made a straight size 2. My measurements for reference are 27″ waist and 36″ hips.

These pants pair well with all kinds of tees and tanks both tucked in and out, but I thought it would be fun to try out the crop-top-with-high-waisted-pants look. For the cropped top, I used the Melrose Top pattern reduced the width and added a full button placket in the back. If you’re interested in making it, here’s a mini tutorial for my modified Melrose:

• take out 1″ from the center front fold (so total 2″ from the front).
• lower the neckline by 1/2″
• cut two mirror images of the center back (instead of on fold) adding 1/4″ to the center back of each piece. While making the placket, tuck in the edge first by 1/4″ and then another 1″. Also, interface both sides of the placket. This reduces the width of the back piece also by 2″
• shorten the top by 2.5″ before adding the bottom band (included in the original pattern) but keeping the top as is and leaving off the bottom band would also yield the same result.
• leave off the sleeve cuffs and hem them by turning under by 1/4″ twice

It’s a pity the gold rimmed buttons are lost in there. Not just the buttons, I think the intricate print overshadows all other details like the the bias bound neckline, the placket or the bottom hem band. This beautiful batik print fabric was a gift from my sister-in-law. If you look closely, you can sort of see the connecting dots that make up the beautiful design. I love all the gold and olive motifs in it so much, and how well this top pairs with the pants.

I didn’t think the wide leg pants trend would grow on me but I do love my Samara Pants  and can’t wait to wear them on my vacation to India this summer. These easy breezy pants are going to be perfect for the weather during that time. Thank you so much for spending a minute of your day reading my post!

Have a great week ahead!

 

*If you buy the pattern through one of my affiliate links, I get a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you and you will help support my blogging adventure. Thank you.