Chic Emerson Trousers
Emerson Crop Pants | Black Tencel Twill (Similar)
Hey Friends!
Do you ever find a pattern that has great "bones" but may not be exactly your style as it is? That's EXACTLY what happened to me with these Emerson Crops by True Bias.
I'm really not digging the crops/culottes trend even in the slightest. You might not be able to tell from the pictures I post on the blog, but I'm really, really lanky. I've needed a 34" inseam since I've been 13 and even that can sometimes be too short - and keep in mind, I'm not tall, maybe 5.6'/5.7', I'm just lanky.
I'm over being insecure about this and I've grown to accept my column-y body type, but finding pants that fit will always be a challenge - everything ends up being "cropped" or "where's the flood" whether I like it or not. My memories of being 12 and perpetually wearing pants that are that are too short are way too fresh to get on board this look.
Needless to say, I didn't give these pants a second look when they came out? Crops? No thank you.
But this fall I've become obsessed with making the perfect pair of high-waisted, pleated, skinny-straight trousers. Something Sarah May from French Navy Now would wear. The catch was that I didn't want to sew a fly. I'm relatively new to pant making and thought I would take things slow and keep it reasonable for my skill level.
Turns out this magic combination is harder to find than I anticipated.
So I took a closer look at the Emerson crops.
They have a really nice pleated waist, gorgeous slashed pockets, and the best part? They pull on.
Even though the wide-legs and cropped style weren't for me, I knew that this pattern had potential.
So that brings us to this gorgeous pair of pants. I lengthened the originals by 12" so I would have plenty to roll up and cuff (Sidenote: In the pictures above they weren't hemmed yet because I was experimenting with lengths). Then I followed the outline of one of my favourite skinny-straight sweatpants to get the fit right, matching the pants at the crotch. I took some off from both the inseam and the outer leg to get the perfect fit.
Pro Tip: If you're looking to make the same kind of alteration to your Emerson Crops, don't start narrowing the pant leg until after the pocket lining so you don't make it too tight around your hips.
I also modified the pattern to sit a little higher on my waist in a cheater-kinda-way. While sewing the crotch seams together I deepened the seam about an inch so I could wear the pants higher without giving myself a wedgie. This kinda changes the fit through the hip a little bit, so it's not an ideal adjustment to make, but it works in a pinch.
The pants are made in a gorgeous tencel-twill I've had in my stash for a year but have been terrified to use. It was one of the very first "nice" fabrics I ever purchased, and now that I've sworn off the bad fabric I figured now is a better time than never.
And good thing too, it is the absolute softest thing I have ever worn, and I never, ever want to take them off.
I also made another pair in a chambray that I'm not quite ready to share just yet, but it's clear that these are quickly becoming a favourite. I'm really happy I gave the Emerson's a chance - they have great bones.
Do you have a favourite pattern with a great bones and hidden potential? Let me know! I love a good pattern hack.
Until next time,
Rachel