FINISHED! Girl Friday Anna and Boy Silk Culottes

Second only to my love of drop waists dresses is my love of culottes. Debbie must be sick of me saying that I'm a culottes fan and how I'm going to make a pair, but never do. Well, finally, here is my first attempt.  The pattern is the recently released Girl Friday culottes by Liesl & Co. The pattern provides for a pair of culottes with a reasonable amount of volume.
The pattern itself was well put together with good instructions, but I was punching above my weight the whole way with this make. It was foolish to think that I could try a new pattern, with a check silk.  I bought the fabric from the The Fabric Store in Surry Hills when I was there with Emma, Amy and Maria in January this year.  It is an Anna and Boy silk, which I noticed was still there in September. Uurgh, silk. I always want to buy it but in reality I don't really enjoy sewing with it.
I hate to have things too tight around my waist and the pattern didn't provide for finished measurements so to be on the safe side I went up rather down where my waist measurement fell between sizes (though to be honest it was closer to the lower size). The result was that the waist was enormous.  I ended up altering both the front and back darts by an additional (whopping!) 7cms each.  I could have taken more in except that I was worried about how the silk was hanging at the darts and I didn't want it to pull. I still have significant ease in the waist and as a result they slip around a bit.
 
The other issue I had was the pockets which are supposed to be nicely hidden in the sides aren't quite perfect on the left hand side where the zipper is. I put this down to slippery silk and sewing or probably a cutting error.  I will have to put my hands in my pockets when I'm wearing them so it's not so noticeable.  I managed to get most of the stripes lined up so thank goodness for small mercies. 
I interfaced the waistband with a lightweight interfacing but in hindsight wonder if it couldn't have used a slightly heavier one.  The waistband is supposed to close with a trouser clasp but I really hate those and find that no matter how I put it on the fabric flaps a bit. I ended removing the clasp and putting a button on. The waistband and hems are hand stitched.
 
I kind of like these but I found most of the making of them a bit of a chore (silk not pattern issue). I think they are more flattering in real life (maybe?) but regardless, they will definitely go on the work wear rotation as they will be breezy and I hope fun to wear as we move into the warmer months. For my next pair, I definitely need a different fit in the waist and for a heavier fabric - a little less volume. 

52 comments:

  1. I absolutely love them - they look amazing, despite the sewing woes. I think I'll be buying this pattern very soon and making a linen pair!! Definitely make more!

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  2. They look gorgeous on you, it's a terrific use of the fabric - though that sewing experience does NOT sound fun! I didn't think I liked culottes (bad memories...) and yet now I seem to need some of my own :)

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  3. I love the fabric placement of the darker stripes at the front. Maybe I will be brave enough to read the instructions again from the culottes pattern I bought on holiday - read them a while ago and my head spun a bit!

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  4. I am wild about these! I had no idea I liked culottes, but now I'm in love. So so cool.

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  5. Wow! I was really unimpressed when I saw the new pattern releases from Liesl & Co. but these culottes are making me rethink that opinion! Awesome!

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  6. O for awesome! I really like these on you. I can also see what you are saying about the making process so I feel your pain too. The fabric is totally amazing. I can see why you went with it against your better judgment on dealing with silk. Those colours are totally worth it. I think the Liesl & Co culottes have a nice 'skirt' appeal - they are a little more voluminous which is a bit more skirt like. You could get away with narrower legs on your next pair, but I still think these are fab!

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  7. Fantastic fabric, and I think the body of the silk you chose fits the volume of this pattern perfectly. I honestly can't see any of the waistband or pocket issues you mention, so hopefully in real life nobody can either! I'm making some culottes at the moment too, but mine don't have pleats in the front crotch, only on the front leg. I'm after more of a pants vibe than a skirt vibe, I really like how culottes can go either way.

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  8. I SO love that culottes are back and will be joining you this summer - thanks for letting me know to check out the new Liesel&Co range, I've got a few originals from the 90's ;)
    And yours are SILK - and such a fabulous colour! ;)

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  9. These are fun! Beautiful colour. Sorry they were such a chore.

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  10. KB, these are FREAKING RAD! The fabric is gorgeous and worth the pain (I think) Though silk can be such a jerk to sew!

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  11. Good on you for taking on the challenge! I have been known to chicken out, and that's probably why I'm not wearing incredible Anna & Boy Silk culottes. Adore these!

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  12. Cuuuuuute! Loving the culottes trend so hard. These are fabulous!

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  13. Love that fabric and the volume works so well, great make!

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  14. That silk is beautiful! Love the colours. Silk still falls into the 'too scary' basket for me! Maybe next year.

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  15. You did a fabulous job matching up the plaid/stripes, nicely done! I think they look great on you, but as I told Debbie, there ain't no way I'm making them for me. They didn't work the first time they were fashionable and I'm sure they won't now! And I hear you on the silk. I got a beautiful silk twill ages ago from The Fabric Store and it still awaits its time. I'm not sure I can be bothered :)

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  16. I've been drafting my own pattern, with help mind you! I wonder if you could eliminate the pleats in the front and back crotch, and convert the box pleats to knife pleats that open away from the CF? That should give you more of a pant look and also a more streamlined appearance in the front.

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  17. The Gorman ones are cool! Gosh on sale it's tempting just to buy them ! I think I'll stick with these and maybe remove the pleat from the back and rethink the box pleat at the front.

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  18. I definitely like your idea of the knife pleats that open away from the centre front.

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  19. I think they look marvellous on you! If I'm trying to work out final waistband size on a pattern without finished measurements I pull out my charlotte waistband piece - if they're similar it's usually a good fit! Also i have this pattern which was a failure for me (sailor shorts) and I was going to offer it on the blog - the other view would make great culottes and it's yours if you want it - uncut (you know my tracing sickness!)
    http://kwiksew.mccall.com/k3854-products-20387.php?page_id=3040

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  20. I always suspected but have just had those suspicions confirmed - you really can do no wrong. I love these to bits, even with all the troubles (you say) you had ;) Knock out factor = extreme!

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  21. Oh Mel! You are too much!!! But thanks for the continued boost to my ego xx

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  22. Thanks so much Sarah for the offer of the pattern! I think you are right that they would make a great pair of culottes. After a bit of umming and aahing, I think I'm going to stick with this pattern and see what I can do with it for some heavier fabric, plus the pockets are so handy! Great idea re the charlotte waistband.. that does fit me well also!

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  23. These would look great on you and I love the idea of a linen pair!

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  24. Ha! Next you'll be making overalls as well !!!

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  25. I wish I could say that it was planned!! But I was so stressed about the silk slipping around that I didn't even pay attention to that. Accidental win!!! Yes make some culottes!!

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  26. Thanks so much! Culottes and dungarees - the new trend :)

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  27. Thanks! I admit I wasn't really taken with the pattern at first either, but I was so keen for a pair of culottes that I bought it anyway.

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  28. The pictures don't match the words one bit. They look absolutely gorgeous!

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  29. Thanks Elizabeth! I'll wear them to work tomorrow so it will be a big test for them :)

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  30. I've got some Liberty fabric back on the machines now and it is just so much nicer to sew with than silk, so I hear you on the 'being bothered'. Are you sure Debbie and I can't talk you around to some culottes?

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  31. Most of my silk sewing has been on a wing and a prayer!

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  32. Thanks Barbara! I think this pattern would be great for you!

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  33. Thanks Amanda. oh it is such a chore but I shall enjoy a bit of swoshing and swishing in these at work tomorrow.

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  34. Thanks Nici, ever since I bought this fabric I have been studiously avoiding adding any more silk to the stash, but, time will heal and I will no doubt buy more. Can't wait to see you get in on the culottes (and overalls) craze!

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  35. These are SO awesome...love them, and it's screams your style BIG time. Rad to the power of rad!!!!

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  36. awesome my darling.. the pattern matching is amazing and you my dear are stylin as always! xxx

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  37. These look smokin! so good. It's a pity they were so mean to you during the construction. Hopefully now they will make up for it by being extra awesome.

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  38. Oh I love the volume of these and the fabric is truly gorgeous! Really a gorgeous make!

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  39. I think these are great! But I know what you mean about projects that are a pain to sew - to start with it takes all the fun out of wearing them, doesn't it? But these are lovely and the first thing I noticed about them was the brilliant check matching! And you wear them very well :-) It's cool that they look a bit more like culottes, rather than the Megan Nielsen's version which hides them completely. Very good! (And very tempting to give it a try... but I still haven't got going on the dungarees...)

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  40. Just the colour is a complete knockout in my eyes! You have such a way with styling too. Love them!

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  41. Thanks Mel! Rad to the power of rad!! Now that is a measurement I like.

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  42. Thanks sweets. Hope your exam went well tonight xx

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  43. Thanks Susan. I am expecting to get loads of wear out of them to make up for the painful construction!

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  44. Thanks Sallie! I'm debating to reduce the volume next time or not, but this is a great style to wear. Very fun.

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  45. I'm halfway through the dungaree/pinafore mash up and I think you should abandon all other projects for that now!

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  46. I'm on it! They're now half sewn! Can't wait to finish them :-)

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