FINISHED! Denim Sorell Test Trousers

Pauline Alice has once again released some fantastic new patterns, a super cute shift dress, the Xerea dress that I will definitely be making up soon and a pair of wide leg pants, the Sorell.  Pauline asked me to test the Sorell trousers a couple of months ago, so I went all out and pushed myself with View A which has welt pockets and a cute little watch pocket.

The pattern description: The Sorell trousers feature a front zipper fly, wide legs with front pleats for more comfort, front slash pockets and a small watch pocket. The waistband sits at natural waist and has belt loops. View A has classical welt pockets, perfect for a chic pair of trousers.  View B is a more casual version with patch pockets.

You saw a sneak preview of these pants in my last post on my Caramel Sydney.  Originally I bought some wool, but while it was at the dry cleaners I realised that I probably didn't have enough time to wait for it to come back in time to meet the testing deadline, so cut into this denim from Addicted to Fabric that I had been saving for another pair of dungarees.

There are a lot of lovely little details on these pants that make them an interesting and slightly challenging sew.  I made up a straight 36 in the denim with no changes, except taking off a few inches initially for the length as the pattern is designed for heights of 5'5" (165cm).  The trousers look so great on Pauline long (and she is the same height as me I think) but for me I felt a bit swamped in them, and not my usual style, so no surprises I decided to chop them off to be more of culotte/gaucho length. 

I think the fit is pretty great around the waist and the bottom. I have a pretty 'flat ass' but these pants fit nicely.  I'm less happy with how I've got them sitting at the front - there's a bit of, well I'm not sure how you describe it, but it's not super flattering. I look at Pauline's version and they look just so great on her but not so super great on me. They seem to sit higher on me - I think my torso must be shorter. These are only a test version so I think I could get them better on the next version. I think partly my pleat isn't in the exact right place. 

Pauline is consistently putting out lovely patterns and this is definitely one of them! Are you thinking of making up any of the new Pauline Alice patterns? If you do there is a new blog for all the great Pauline Alice makes: Pauline Alice and You!

P.S. wearing Pattern W from Les Couleurs Francaise, in Liberty Wiltshire.