Click!
Click!
True confession: I never made a pair of fly front pants until now; not really sure why that is. So I rate myself intermediate for pants sewing. I’m also not exactly cutting edge with pattern choice here since there are many terrific examples of HP Marrakesh Pants out there; Gigi, Debbie, Sue, Michelle and Barbara have made up this pattern and each example looks fantastic.
Given that my pants sewing skills are merely average, this first pair will be gardening pants . But these are not a wearable muslin because I still did two regular muslins to get the fit right; one straight out of the envelope and the second with a front thigh adjustment using Els’ method (which is definitive BTW.) Trudy’s crotch curve does everything people say it does. The front thigh adjustment was the only change I made to size 12. For the zipper Sandra Betzina’s method seems to be the easiest one out there, although I find it a little peculiar that she doesn’t include a fly shield, but that’s easy to incorporate, basically you just add it towards the end. When I do my next pair I’ll show some photos.
There are a few detail changes:
- The ties are twill with a line of floss topsititched down the middle. I was in Fashion Mecca with my daughter (e.g. Forever 21) and saw a pair of similar pants with this detail on petersham ribbon. It looked great and as soon as I get my hands on some petersham I’ll use it this way.
- Added two exterior patch pockets that I took from McCall’s 5590. These are work pants so that detail is unique to just this pair because it’s not exactly flattering. Regular inset pockets are not very useful for gardening and the loops are for tools like pruners.
- Like Gigi, I used a pants hook and eye instead of a button.
- Next pair may have a grommet opening for the ties insteads of buttonholes.
- Stabilized the crotch curve as Gigi recommends in her post above.
Goofy chcken button
The fabric is Solarweave from Rockywoods; a SPF 50+ nylon supplex. The last time I used this fabric I made a shirt and that project had loops and no buttonholes. This fabric hates buttonholes. Even when it’s interfaced. I had to add a piece of machine embroidery stabilizer under the fabric. Solarweave is lightweight but the yarns are very hard and so make sure you use a fresh needle. It also frays and all seams need to be inside a lining or clean finished. This is a noisy fabric too, it makes a swishing sound and I’ll never where these anywhere except my own backyard or for a quick trip to Lowes. Next time I’ll make the waistband a little taller, maybe to 1 ½ inches tall.
This is now my go-to casual pant and I’ll be making up several for summer.
They look great! And, I love the color too. I need some gardening/work pants but hadn’t even thought of using this pattern.
Love them and love the color! Those would look hawt with my pink wig
I have this pattern sitting and it is time to actually make it! These look great for the garden and I could use a pair myself!
Hmmm, I’ve been thinking about trying this pattern, and your review has probably put me over the edge. Well, I’ll buy the pattern . . . it may need to age a bit in my pattern stash before I actually put it to fabric! I’ve never sewn a fly front either, and will keep your review handy when I do so.
The all looks better in person. True! Especially the buttons!!!!!!
These look great! I have made two pairs so far and I love them.
Michelle, I just added a link above to you Marrakesh pants – they look great!
At first glance, this pattern looks to be just another pair of pants but there’s really something to them, isn’t there? I think I can see your bright yellows from here.
Those look wonderful! I love the bright yellow and the chicken buttons. Yellow is just soooo cheerful.
I’m working on a muslin for these pants, to check the fit. I know that I need to alter the back a bit (a la Trudy’s video tutorial–my body is rounder than yours). Can you please advise how/if the in-seam pockets line up? I was puzzling over my muslin this morning before I left for work… I’m not certain if the pocket facings peeks out of the front pant piece or if the side seams line up exactly (and the pocket facing would be hidden when the pants are worn). I haven’t been able to find a picture of this in a finished pair of pants. Thank you again for sharing your sewing projects–I learn so much by the virtual peek over the shoulder…
Rose in SV
Looking great – such a fun color and so much better than icky old sweats or jeans for gardening/home improvement place trips.
Rose I didn’t add those pockets, but they do seem to align to the side seam. I may on the next pair and I will report back!
Thank you!
I’ll try resewing my muslin again to see where I need to make my alterations. I was worried that I was borrowing inches from the pockets when I adjusted the waist.
Rose in SV
Those are some pretty cute gardening pants.
mmmmm…sexy!!
Funky garden pants.
I ordered this pattern last week. I had read Gigi’s post about them a few months ago and wanted to try them, too. I am interested to see how they fit my wonky body- 6′ tall ( 36″ inseam) and short from waist to crotch. Also, I tend to fidget when things fall below my waist (yes, I wear granny panties…) but maybe these will work. Fabric.com has some great linens on sale right now- should be perfect for this pattern. Thank you for sharing- they look great on you!
Wow! Thanks so much for the link to the thighs alteration — a lifetime of dance and running have made pants shopping a nightmare and I’ve been scared to try sewing them. This will be a big help!