Pleated Pants by Papercut Patterns

I’m pleased to say that I’ve completed one of my New Years Aspirations – to sew some pants! AND I’m pretty pleased with how they turned out…

I made Papercut Patterns Pleated Pants (I love all that alliteration!). I made these out of the same bolt of denim as my Ginger skirt so these shorts are quite stiff, just like the skirt was when I first made it. Now after 7 or so washes the Ginger is pretty soft so I’m not worried about the stiff shape.

I’m also super pleased with how my fly zipper turned out. I hadn’t done one previously so I followed the instructions very carefully and went very slowly. I also spent a lot of time looking at a pair of my own RTW jeans while I was figuring out how all the pieces went together. I think I have a 3D brain when it comes to understanding sewing, instructions aren’t enough sometimes. I think the fly turned out pretty well! It’s always such a great feeling when you learn something new!

I made these shorts in a XS. The only adjustment I made was to shave 1cm off each side seam of the waistband, starting at the top of the waistband and tappering off about halfway down if that makes sense to you! I was so impressed with Katie, Papercut Patterns designer’s, customer service! She was so friendly and offered any assistance with the assemblage of my shorts.

I am definitely making this pattern again. Truth be told, this was actually a muslin, or as close to a muslin as I’m going to get (NB deeply held loathing of wasting fabric. Muslins included.) Next time I make these pants they will be trousers. Do I see work pants in a soft wool charcoal or hipster ankle-length trousers in murky mustard-y colour on the horizon? Hard to tell as I majored in Sociology, not sooth-seeing sadly.

Sidenote: there have been some posts about sizing issues with this pattern. I was in email contact with Katie from the moment I mentioned I was keen to make this pattern. She simply told me to make them a size smaller than the sizing chart said and to take 1cm off each side of the waistband. I’m not one for making muslins so i followed her instructions and they turned out great for me!

Second Sidenote: these photos were taken in the middle of our New Zealand winter. It was colder than it looks. But really not all that cold. Be jealous Northern Hemisperians!