Hello! I am thrilled to be back blogging again today with my new pair of trousers. Being British, I can't quite bring myself to use the term pants to describe outer-wear, when I know it as underwear!
I made the Esther Pants by Victory Patterns using Maaike’s DIVINE plum Tencel twill.
This pattern came out as part of the swoon-worthy Arima Collection in November 2017. As soon as I saw the Esther pattern I knew it would be mine! However, my sewing output is not huge but my sewing list IS, so the idea for these trousers has been simmering in my brain for the last year and a half! Am thrilled to have finally made them. And I am anything but disappointed – can you tell!?!
I have made a couple of Victory patterns before and I really love their designs. They are modern, visually pleasing and always have unique design features. The instructions are second to none, they really step you through all the techniques, so I find I rarely have to scratch my head or break out the unpicker.
The Esther is described as a “loose-fitting, wide-leg pant. The front of the pant features two angled overlapping pleats and a centre seam along the leg. Front slash pockets follow the angle of the pleats”. There is a full-length version or a cropped version, with or without an added sash. I chose the cropped version, with the added sash belt. Mostly because the model looks so amazing in her version!
I didn’t toile, which was slightly reckless given how beautiful the Tencel is. But I did measure the waistband to check for fit and the crotch curve. This is a pretty forgiving design! The only alteration I made was to shorten the hem by 3cm as I am smaller than the height the pattern is designed for. The fit is great, I could probably size down for future pairs, but I like how comfortable they are as is and the sash belt can be tied as tightly as required, depending on the size of my food baby at any given moment! They are fastened with a zip and button at centre back, although I am a little-uncoordinated getting them undone so will just use a longer zip and not a button next time!
I love wearing these trousers, they feel so very nice and swishy! They are easy to dress up with heels and a cami top, or down in full grunge mode as featured here!
Maaike stocks a few different Tencel Twill colours. The two best features of the fabric are the beautiful drape combined with the heavier weight. I find this style of fabric really difficult to find. It is perfect for trousers or dresses or jackets - anything that requires a little weight but also the drape of say a silk or light-weight rayon.
Tencel is actually the brand name for Lyocell. Lyocell is produced by dissolving wood pulp from hardwood trees, such as Birch and Oak, to form a cellulose fibre. So although an artificial fibre, Tencel still has the properties of a natural fibre (such as breathability) and it is therefore biodegradable too. Now, I have just seen Maaike has a new range of Tencel Linen fabric (and am lusting after the blush pink below already) and a Tencel Denim too.
As long as Maaike will have me here I am going to keep sewing up her fabric. Because we are now two for two in absolutely LOVING the clothes I have made for this blog. Definitely two of my favourite ever handmade garments, in no small part due to the beautiful fabrics!
Thanks for having me Maaike, Jen (aka @the_stitcher_and_gatherer)