pattern tester roundup
Estelle Pants Pattern Testers Roundup Part 1
Good day to you all my lovely sewist’s. Thank you for coming over to read our latest tester roundup blog post – the Estelle Pants.
Our pattern testers certainly excelled themselves this pattern test – well they actually do every time.
What was fabulous about this test was the time my roadies spent making sure that they fitted their pants perfectly to their body measures.
Within the sewing instructions themselves I have included 2 lessons on fitting the pattern.
The same techniques that I used in my teaching career when I would either teach specific pants making classes or within my general Basic and Beyond classes within my own school.
And the results speak for themselves. Fitting pants is not hard – you just make sure that you compare key body measures to that of the pattern.
Adjust where needed and then sew them up.
So let me introduce to you Part 1 of the Estelle Pants Pattern Testers Roundups.
My roadies would like to share with you
1. Their name and where you live?
2. What fabric combinations did they choose and where did you purchase.
3. What sewing tips can thjey share when sewing the Estelle Pants?
4. What was your style choice for the Estelle Pants?
5. What fit alterations did you have to make to the Estelle Pants?
6. Have you worn your Estelle Pants yet and what compliments did you receive.
7. Any plans for future combinations of the Estelle Pants?
And the finer details; (AU/UK) 6 – 30 (US) 2 – 26 (EU) 34 – 58
On Sale for a limited time only – $9.25
Very Confident Advanced Beginner and Above Sewing level.
Estelle Pants
Hi, I’m Barbara and I live in Northeast Mississippi, USA. The Estelle Pants are perfect for my DD as she needed classic pants that she could wear in Spring, Summer, and Fall. For her Estelle pants, I purchased a gorgeous 100% pure Irish linen two-tone brown woven from S. Bryson sold by lafinchfabrics.com.
As with most of my woven makes, I like to finish the seams first by serging the raw edges, in case I have to adjust seams later. My DD chose the full-length Estelle with front pockets and back faux welt pockets. To get her perfect fit for Estelle, the pants pattern was shortened to her height 4’11”, and lengthened to match her front and back crotch length.
Estelle is in high rotation in her wardrobe and she has worn them many times and received my compliments!
IG:https://www.instagram.com/ninjabreadgirl61/
Hello everyone, Camelia here with my version of the Estelle pants!
I have wanted for a long time a good fitting pair of pants, with wide leg but not too wide, comfortable elastic in the back but with just a bit of volume, some nice pockets and suitable for linnen types of fabric. And here they are, the Estelle pants! These is such a smart pattern, it will give you the neat trouser look with the super comfortable feel of a lounge pant! I made in total 4 pairs and I will tell you that I have fabric for at least 5 more! I enjoy wearing these even more than jeans! The fabrics I used were stone-washed linen viscose, a twill viscose, and stone-washed cotton. I also have a piece of light wool blend for a more “fall-season” pair.
My best tip will be, to measure and do the fit adjustments, follow the instructions to get the perfect fit and remember to check Designer Stitch blog for some great pants-fitting posts.
You will find my full review on my channel https://www.youtube.com/calcedoniasewing
Also there you will find a sewing tutorial for the faux welt pockets on the Estelle pans.
Hey lovely sewists, I am Kiran and I hail from Singapore. I was thrilled to be a part of this test. When Ann announced the test was happening, i immediately scoured my stash for a suitable fabric. I saw this dark teal cupro I had bought recently at a sale. It had the perfect drape and weight for dress pants.
My advise for you if you are considering sewing this is that the fitting is of utmost importance. SEW A MUSLIN. Pay particular attention to the fitting around the waist and pelvis area.
In styling my pants, i wanted to portray it as a smart casual look that could transition from a day in the office to an evening out with friends and colleagues. The options are limitless with this look.
If you’re considering purchasing this pattern, I can assure you that you will NOT be disappointed with the options.
Check out my other sews over at my IG page www.instagram.com/sew_kiran_sew
Hi, here is Marieke from the Netherlands.
Where I live autumn has started and what’s better then having some cool new items in your wardrobe to start a new season?
Well, not much indeed lol, so two new pants are added to my wardrobe!
These aren’t my last ones, because they are so so so cool and comfortable! It’s like wearing your joggers on a lazy sunday but then stylish.
I decided to make two pants, both with the 7/8 length to show off my shoes and boots too. Together with any nice top and you are dressed for any occasion.
If you use a solid color fabric or a printed fabric, you can just make different looking pants with just 1 pattern.
Once you have found your correct measurements- after sewing a toile- It’s a quick and satisfying sew.
I am not sure which pants I love the most: the fancy yellow printed viscose linen or my grey soft woolen pants.
Did I worn them already? Absolutely yes! As we speak my husband said: these must be your new favorite pants, right?
Well yes, they are!
So, I can only recommend to make your own as well!
When you are curious, you can always have a look on my Insta for more inspo: https://www.instagram.com/jongdesign
I’m Toni from Northern California. I used a linen cotton blend from Joann’s fabric.
The first pair I made out of suiting which frayed v terrible and had more drape. The linen was a little more structured and easier to sew.
The pattern is really straightforward and fit without any modifications. The only change I made was to enlarge the pocket bags.
Mine are hemmed per pattern instructions, which leaves them a little long for flats, but will be perfect with low heeled boots this Fall.
We’re headed into cooler temps, so I wanted mine to be a fall color and fabric. Unfortunately, we’ve had a late heat wave the past week (100 degrees again) so I haven’t been able to wear them out yet.
I’d like to make a lighter version in the spring.
My IG is www.instagram.com/antoinettemcnulty
Hello I’m Ashley R from London
Today I’m here to talk about the new Estelle Pants. They are amazing! I used a grey linen fabric from @abcfabric to make mine so as you can tell this pattern i for woven fabrics. I would always recommend you make a fit first in old fabric but the same weight for your final copy, to see if you need to make any adjustments. I shorten the length by 4″ for my 5 foot height and also added 1cm to the front and back rise for the perfect fit. . I styled my Estelle pants with a pair with a nice floral top. I’ve worn mine out a few times now and got lot’s of complaints. I plan to make a pair in a thicker fabric as winter is coming and I need loads more Estelle in my life. https://linktr.ee/madebyashley
Hi, I’m Diane from the UK
I used a lovely linen viscose fabric from Northern Monkey Makes in the UK which was perfect for the Estelle pants. The fabric draped very well. I made my pants in size 3 and shortened the legs by 4” for my height. I followed the guidelines and measured my crotch and surprisingly I had to increase the overall crotch depth by 2.5 cm. This process has taught me a lot about my personal body shape!
The instructions are very clear and it was worth the time and effort checking crotch depth to get a perfect fit.
I wore my pants this week when meeting a friend for lunch and they felt very stylish and comfortable. Looking forward to wearing both pairs a lot over the coming months. A nice change from wearing jeans!
https://www.facebook.com/diane.m.shortland
I am France from Canada – in the National Capital area. When I saw the Estelle pants, I knew I needed them in my wardrobe! Tailored in the front with an elastic waist at the back, they could not be more comfortable and look polished.
I made my toile in a light weight green textured polyester – the kind that indicates “unknown” fibers from the leftovers at the back of the store @Fabricville.
The pants came together quite easily – my best advice is to NOT guess the crotch length adjustments. Measure twice and sleep on it if needs be. At first, I could not believe I had to lengthen the crotch seam – in all my years of sewing, I’d always shortened it. But I went with the very clear instructions and made the recommended adjustments.
Wow I got the perfect fit on the first trial.
So, my green pants have been worn a few time now at the office, while shopping and even to dance class. I made a second pair in a recycled linen (poly, rayon and cotton) with less satisfaction that has nothing to do with the pattern but the fabric choice which ended up being too sheer to wear, except at the beach.
Now that my pattern is adjusted, I will certainly made more in various colours.
I post some of my makes on IG at https://www.instagram.com/langlois.france/
Hello, I’m Poh Ling from Singapore!
I made my Estelle Pants using pure European linen fabric from Brighton Accessories House.
I made straight size 2 and took in the side seams slightly to make it less baggy. I followed the instructions for crotch measurement and shorten my front and back rise by 1cm. I also shorten the length by 4″ for my height (1.56m).
One tip is to make a toile using similar weight fabric as your final. And take the time to measure the crotch in the instructions for a well fitting pants.
You can view more of my sews from https://instagram.com/b.a.o.l.i.n.g
Hi, my name is Synthia, and I live in Central Ca. I am seeing this style of pants everywhere. At first, I had my reservations in that I could get my Estelle pants to look like our marvelous model of Camelia’s Estelle. But with Ann Grose’s great instructions and help guides, I was able to fit my pants to where I was happy. I did need to add 3/4″ to the front and back rise and graded down the sides to be less curvy. I sewed up a much-needed black pair and I used a rayon/linen blend fabric. It took me 3 fittings to get the proper fit of which I was happy with. Estelle is a great pair of tailored pants to wear for any occasion. I plan on making another pair that is black with white flowered print. My biggest tip, follow the step-by-step instructions from obtaining your correct sizing to using DS fitting/sewing guides, so important. Thank you for another great pair of tailored fit pants. P.s., you can find DS’s sewing and fitting guides in the DS site. https://sewsynsewn.blogspot.com
Hello my name is Tina and I live in Yorkshire, UK. For my Estelle pants I chose a fabric that looked like Linen but was a polyester mix fabric. The fabric was from Waltons Fabrics in Goldthorpe.
If you make the Estelle pants I would take your time and make sure you press at each stage to get a nice crisp finish, take care in the faux pockets and you won’t regret it when they turn out just. I would also complete my edges before sewing pieces together. I overlocked mine.
For my Estelle pants I did the long length, front pockets and two faux rear pockets.
Following Ann Grose’s fit guide it was very straight forward to adjust the crotch depth. This allowed my Estelle’s to sit at my natural waist making the pockets sit correctly too. I’ve never changed crotch depth before and it was easy and would highly recommend you give it a go.
I am planning on a couple more pairs in a black and a grey fabric for work because with the correct fit i’ve achieved they are an excellent design for office wear. I also like the slightly cropped length option.