I guess these are technically a “wearable muslin,” but bear with me here. This is the sixth time I’ve made these pants… and I think I’m finally happy with the fit. We’ve had some trial & error, some hair pulling, and a lot of wasted fabric. But on the flip side, I really feel like a Fitting Guru now *and* I’ve used up a significant portion of the weird stretch polyester that I can’t seem to get rid of.
I completely & shameless ripped these off thanks to two completely different sources. For starts, I found myself in the Gap a couple of weeks ago (totally weird in itself, since I never buy RTW from the mall anymore. Handmade or thrifted, thanks!) and I just fell in love with these high-rise flared trousers. Until I tried them on, that is, and realized they were a whopping 8″ too long on me – at 5’2″ (and a half!), I am shorter than average, but I ain’t that short, y’all! And they couldn’t be hemmed, because then I would have lost all that delicious flare. Anyway, they didn’t fit me too hot (too stretchy, plumber’s crack waistband, smile wrinkles all over the crotch, etc) and they were $69, so I tucked the inspiration away in my head and moved on with my life.
Imagine my delight when I discovered Sallieoh’s fabulous red pair – I mean, look at those pants! LOOK AT THEM. Perfect little trouser pants! I DIE. I immediately put the rest of my sewing on hold because, pants. And Sallieoh was so kind enough to provide a series of very detailed tutorials, which saved me all the trouble of figuring that shit out for myself. Thank you, lady! The only part I strayed from the tutorials was to add a flare to my legs – I used instructions from Patternmaking for Apparel Design (a book I’ve had in my possession for a few years now and never actually used… don’t beat me!) and added a ~9″ flare starting at the knee.
I think my pattern could still use a little bit of tweaking to get it perfect – the back dips a little too much, and I need to get that button tab on the waistband under control. But for a wearable muslin, these ain’t half bad! I am going to make them again in my nice lightweight, stretchy denim. These current pants look fine but the polyester isn’t exactly the most comfortable thing to be wearing against one’s skin 🙂
My apologies in advance for the pictures – navy doesn’t photograph too well! Ughhhhh
Haha goddd my hair looks ridiculous
Ok, these pictures are bad… have some super-lightened close-ups.
I’m sorry for making y’all look at my ass, but don’t these pants fit so nice? 🙂
Flare leg
I know, I know – the button tab looks bad. Whatever, wearable muslin!
I’ve sewn up a fly or two in my time, but never a fly shield! How exciting!
I feel pretty good about these – they are exactly what I wanted! And pants are so easy to sew up once you get that fit part down.
DO NOT FEAR THE PANTS.
LLADYBIRD 
Man… now I think I have to make pants. Seeing all of the fitting issues nearly everyone is running into with their Clovers, I had basically decided pants were not necessary in my wardrobe. But now… well, since yours look so good, I have been maybe sort-of begrudgingly convinced that I should try.
ADORE! I have this pattern & I’m horrified to try it. Yours look soo flippin fantastic. Must calm down and try them. 🙂
Damn, girl! (Damn yoouse a sexy….okay, well, that’s in my head all day, there we go) these look amazing! So nice! I love these! I just (like, last night!) finished my second clovers but they have nothing on your front fly side pocket flare hem masterpiece. Really nice, Lauren, and you look so classic with your crisp white Violet! You are a Colette ready for the office lady.
cute ass girl!
i fear the pants, however. for myself.
They are what I’d call dainty. I like what you’ve done and the mods you’ve made- they are hardly recognizable as clovers. Do like pockets! Super cute and also can’t tell from here that fabric’ s naff. Looking good!
They look great! I don’t fear the pants anymore.
Looks great, good job.
You should try taking pictures of yourself in them outside. Maybe the natural light will be better to photograph in.
I have tried in the past but I’ve never figured exactly where to stand so the sunlight doesn’t turn me into a giant white blob lol. It’s too cold/rainy to shoot outside anyway. But when it starts getting pretty & green again – we’ll go for round 2 😀
Try a cloudy day when the light is soft, direct sunlight tends to get too harsh. 😉
These turned out great! The whole outfit is cute. 🙂
I am TRYING not to fear the pants… I really am. Maybe I will tackle mine tonight–all they need for me to attach the waistband and hem them…
P.S. Cute pants! And hurrah for being a Pants Fitting Guru!
Fabulous fit on these! I admire your persistence and the results you have achieved. Switching them over to a flared style is inspired. It goes to show what you can do if you get the basic fit down pat.
yall- can you enlighten me about why everyone’s modifying clovers so much, and not just getting a different pattern? I get the colette love, I guess I’m just trying to understand the line between one pattern and another (like, one with a waistband and pockets!) and just drafting your own. Has this been covered somewhere? I’m very curious, I’m investing in patterns right now and want to understand the theory behind which ones are worthwhile….and lauren- -i love your style! thanks!
I can’t speak for everyone else’s behalf, but I personally chose to modify my Clovers since I already put lots of time/effort into the fit and the end result is just right for me. I think it is easier to make some modifications to the basic block (moving the zipper, changing the legs, etc) and know the finished pants will still fit the way I like, rather than get a whole new pattern and have to go through the fitting again. My body has a short crotch and a protruding butt, so I need to do a lot of fitting! And I don’t mind doing basic drafting because I think it’s fun 🙂 Again, other people may have a different reason why they do this, though!
roger that! thanks – now to get some dang drafting tools! 🙂
As per usual, I’m in awe of your mad skills 🙂 I love the tab in the front and the flare – the fit is really great too – alas, I still fear the pants, but a little less than before, and I want well-fitting pants so badly, I’m not gonna let a little fear stop me! ^__^
Pants terrify me. Out all of the things that scare me the most, sewing pants sits third on the list right after interpretive dance and mangoes. I like the flared leg and perhaps one day shall try these myself… Maybe… Or possibly after I have conquered the mango fear!
Lol, I’m actually mildly terrified of peaches – the inside looks like blooooooood ew ew ew! So your fear of mangoes, yeah, I totally feel ya on that one 🙂 Haha!
They look fantastic! You definitely have the fit down now. I want me some Sallie Oh Clovers!
Wow those are perfect! Pants terrify me. I’m jealous of your fitting skills.
I have to say… I fear the pants D:
But I’ve declared this the summer of sewing (not even spring yet I know lol) but I’m preparing.
Also, DAT ASS :B
You did it! The fit is perfect!!! and I love the changes you’ve made…they’re more than a wearable muslin that’s for sure!
Lauren your new trousers look great – I really think you’ve gotten your fitting tweaks pretty much sorted now 🙂
These are good pants – nice job – and good luck for making them up in non-polyester! Can’t wait to see them ‘for real’!
I just saw Sallie Oh’s tutorial and can’t wait to make a pair. I’m so happy to see yours! Awesome job!
Hi Lauren
I think the fit on this Clover is very good on you. Admire your perseverance for making the right fit! Has anyone told you that you look a bit like Dita Von Reese? You certainly channel her style!
Ha! I don’t see the resemblance at all but I am still gonna take that compliment and run with it 🙂 Thank you!
Holy crap, Lauren, these pants look amazing. You are a fitting genius! They’re so perfectly tailored to you and look awesome with your Violet blouse. I still fear the pants, but I am super jealous of yours.
Cuuuuuuuuuuute!
Yay!! Your clover trousers are brilliant!! My first pair had a pretty funky tab – that just might be one of those things that gets better the second time. I love the fit on you – you look adorable (as always) ! I’m so glad you were able to get some inspiration from my tutorial – and despite the hellish fitting everyone seems to go through with the Clovers – one thing I will say is that they give good butt 🙂 Or maybe you give them good butt?? Haha!
These look amazing . The fit is superb. I love the gentle flare on the legs.
I love what you say at the bottom about not fearing the pants. Because honestly, that is what is keeping me from making these again! I tested the pattern, and the fit was a complete fail for me (in all honesty, when I test a pattern for someone, I rarely make adjustments so I can test it “out of the package” and catch any mistakes in there that aren’t added by me when I adjust a pattern! :). Tried it again during the summer and I just didn’t feel fantastic in them. However, I just bought a pair of skinny jeans I really like the fit of, so I’m thinking I’ll adjust the Clover pattern based on those. Fingers crossed I can work up the courage (really, inclination!) to tackle these again… 😉
I loved Sallieoh’s tutorials, especially since I was making my first pair of pants at the time. I’m glad you used them to modify your Clovers. Too cute!
You’re proof that make after make, pants fitting can be conquered! The rear view is proof. I’m still working on getting these perfect… it will happen!