I think I told y’all last year how much I love the new Geo Collection from Papercut Patterns. In case you missed it – I LOVE THE NEW GEO COLLECTION FROM PAPERCUT PATTERNS! As a shameless Papercut Fangirl, I am of course extremely biased regardless, but it is honestly a great collection. I’ve made the Pinnacle Top (twice, actually!), and the Fjord Cardigan (unblogged!), and now I’ve got some fresh new Palisade Pants to add to the mix!
I just think this pattern is so cool! I love the relaxed (but not oversized) shape, with the interesting pocket detail and elastic waist that doesn’t go all the way around (personally, I find a flat front to be more… well, flattering). These are very similar to the Elizabeth Suzann Clyde pants, with a different pocket shape and, again, a flat front with no elastic. Both pants have the same high waist and seams running down the front and back leg.
As much as I love a fitted pant, I didn’t want these to be too tight in the hip so I went with a size XS (based on my measurements). I ended up taking an additional 1/4″ out of the inseam to tighten up the legs ever so slightly (I don’t generally mess with the inseam, however, these pants do not have side seams), but I am very happy with how the hip and waist fits. FWIW, I did use the suggested elastic measurement and it fits perfectly without being too tight.
I made a muslin of the shorts before cutting into my fabric, because I wasn’t sure how these would fit on my body. I actually do own a pair of Clyde pants (from way back when I still worked at ES), and I always felt like the crotch was a little too long on me, so I went ahead and sewed up a test pair before committing. My test pair is actually a fully-finished wearable muslin – I used cotton bottomweight fabric, as well as the suggested interfacing, elastic, and topstitching details. So I also basically have a new pair of shorts when summer comes around haha. My sample showed that I did need to take some of the crotch length out – a full 1.5″ (crotch length refers to the measurement from front waist to back waist spanning the crotchal area, NOT the length from crotch to waist when you sit down, which is considered crotch depth. See this image for a visual) (also, every time I type crotch I accidentally type crochet instead what is wrong with me). Before you start wringing your hands on the mysteries of pants-fitting, please be aware that this is not an adjustment I see a lot of people make (and I touched a LOT of crotches last year during all my workshops). If you do need it, the explanation and process of how to fix are best outlined in Pants For Real People, which I recommend checking out for further questions!
ANYWAY, the amount that I took off the length was easily adjusted (albeit in a very hacky way) to my shorts, so yes, those are still wearable! One more adjustment I made to the pants was to change the crotch curve, as it was a little flat for my body (this is indicated by vertical folds in the fabric in a very unflattering spot). This was not necessary in my sample, but did show more prominently in my finished pants – probably because the fabric has more drape. The front still isn’t completely flat if I stand a certain way, but I think that’s pretty unavoidable with this soft fabric + pants shape combination.
Construction changes were minor. I wanted to keep the fabric soft, so I omitted about half of the interfacing (anywhere that there would be double layers of interfacing). This included the pockets and the center front waistband. In retrospect, I probably should have left the double layer of interfacing on the waistband as it does get a crease with wear, but, whatever. I used a lightweight fusible weft interfacing, which is pretty much my go-to for most fabrics.
I left off the mock fly (for aesthetic reasons), and just topstitched the center front and center back seams. I also added some topstitching to the back elastic, to keep it from twisting. And I also unintentionally shortened the pants when I shortened the crotch depth, so they are about 1.5″ shorter than the pattern – which thankfully is the perfect length for me haha.
My fabric is a gorgeous wool suiting that I bought from Mood Fabrics when I was in NY last month for Christmas. I only had one day in Manhattan, and my mom agreed to go with me while I did a quick little shop around the Garment District. Mood has tons of great wool suitings on their website, but I wanted to see the goods in person so I could get a nice feel for drape, weight, itchiness, and color. I knew I wanted something soft, lightweight, non-itchy (as I would not be lining these) and with a little bit of dimension and texture that didn’t look too suit-like. This stuff hit all those boxes, and only cost around $20/yard. It was wide, too, so the 2 yards I bought were more than enough for these pants – meaning I have leftovers to whip up something else if the mood strikes.
I actually pre-washed my wool – like, in the washing machine – because I wanted to see what would happen. Generally, wool felts due to heat combined with agitation, so I used cold water and low heat in the dryer. I didn’t measure before/after to see if anything shrunk, but this definitely isn’t felted so it worked out ok! When I wash the actual pants, I will use cold water in the washer and hang them to dry (how I treat most of my wool garments, except for handknit sweaters obviously).
The wool was really easy to sew, as wool tends to be. I suspect there is some poly blended in here, though, since it didn’t press as well as most wools do (this would also explain why the fabric was fine in the dryer when I pre-washed). I used high heat and a clapper to hold the seams down while they cooled, then for extra credit I topstitched as much as possible to keep the seams nice and flat. To sew, I used a universal 80/12 needle and finished all seams with my serger.
I think that about covers it! This was a fun project to make, and I really like how the pants turned out. I’m still undecided if these are really “me,” but I’ve worn them for the past 2 days while we’ve had a cold snap in Nashville and they are warm and comfortable. I do want to try this pattern with a fabric better suited for warmer weather – such as linen or tencel – and perhaps in a cropped length or even the shorts. The pocket detail just makes me so happy.
Oh! And in case you were curious – the shirt I am wearing is a mash-up of the Nikko Top and the Nettie Bodysuit. I basically just combined the bottom edge of the shirt with the lower half of the body suit, to make a Nikko Bodysuit. This piece has been really useful in my wardrobe – it looks great with high-waisted skirts and pants, and stays tucked in no matter which way I move. I made it with lightweight merino wool fabric, also from Mood Fabrics, and I love it so much!
**Note: The fabrics used in this post were provided to me by Mood Fabrics, in exchange for my participation in the Mood Sewing Network. All opinions are my own!
LLADYBIRD 
I’ve been eyeing this pattern and was considering a wool suiting that I already have, so I am particularly interested in seeing how this turned out for you. In the photos, they look very sharp! My hesitation with the wool suiting was whether the more casual-styled pattern would work well in something typically more formal, and would the resulting pants then work with a jacket. . .
I do like the way the wool suiting dressed up the casual pattern! I think if you made a similarly styled blazer (esp if it also had interesting pockets), then the look would be very avant garde. Maybe not something you could necessarily wear in a very formal business setting, but definitely would pass in a general office setting.
Those pants are look very nice on you, and I love the pockets and the fabric!
Thank you so much!
I love that Papercut Collection too – I have my first Pinnacle cut out and waiting for the weekend/sewing time. Love these Lauren & will definitely check out the wool suiting when I make it to Mood next month x
Thank you! But also, dammit – I’ll be in NY early March, looks like we are just going to miss each other 😦
Nice! I would never have considered these pants from the ad pictures, but now, seeing yours, I want them!
It’s a really fun pattern, I definitely recommend it if the style is something you’d wear 🙂
Very nice! Not used to seeing you in looser leg pants vs jeans, but they look great! I’m struggling with pants fitting now so you inspire me. 🙂
I’m not used to wearing looser legs, this is definitely a style departure for me! But it’s fun 🙂
These turned out great! I’m excited to try making a pair myself since the loose fit and front/back center seams will probably take care of my main pants fitting issues. Plus I love secret pajamas since I like to be comfortable while sewing etc, but not have to change to leave the house haha.
These are TOTALLY secret pajama style pants. I can’t wait to make some shorts in a drapey fabric, I think they’ll be perfect for our peak summer.
Thank you for the detailed comments on your construction (tell us the exact kind of needle you used? Yes please!). These look great on you and the design is very interesting so they are on my make list now, along with your bodysuit mash up.
You are so welcome!
I have been looking at this pattern since its release and seeing them on you reminds me why I liked this pattern so much. I love how they taper to the ankle which looks lovely on your shape and the pockets! yes! I love those too. They are just the shape of pants I can vision reaching for regularly when I want to be comfortable but look a little sharp too. sigh…can you hear the “sold” coming through in the background? 🙂 Thank you for sharing your experience and especially how you prepared and sewed with a lighter wool for an “inside” garment. I love wool but consistently shy away from it mostly from just lack of experience. I just never would have thought of wool for this pattern – I had been focusing in my mind on something lighter like linen or a linen blend. Thank you too for pointing us to look at Elizabeth Suzann’s pants similar to this pattern but how much more fun to make a pair of our own for fit, colour etc.
You are welcome for all! I really love sewing with wool because I feel like it’s one of the more forgiving fabrics to work with… it’s so easy to sew and press, and easy to take care of as long as it avoids the dryer! I think they will be awesome in a linen or rayon or something similarly lightweight, but right now all my body can think about is staying warm 🙂 Summer is coming, though!
These turned out great! I love that pocket detail as well.
Thank you!
Love your palisades! I’m getting ready to make my muslin. Those pockets are everything I’ve ever wanted in pants! Also, I just love your blog in general.
Do you have any idea who makes the fusible interfacing you use? I can’t find it on the Mood page and I want to see if I can find it elsewhere! I’d love to grab a large cut of interfacing to keep around for various projects…
Hi! I linked to the specific interfacing that I use – and just checked again, the link is active and there is tons of it in stock. I have also bought it from Fashion Sewing Supply in the past, but Mood’s interfacing is comparable in quality and about half the price (plus I can include it in my whole order, so I don’t have to pay extra for shipping). I also get several yards at a time, it’s super wide so it lasts a long time!
These look amazing! I want to make a muslin to see how it fits my body. However I’m a little stuck as im 5’2 and know off the hop they will be too long for me. There are no lengthen or shorten lines on the pattern…would you have a suggestion on how I would go about shortening these?
Lauren – you did a beautiful job constructing these pants. I love their details & have the pattern. My only hesitation is that I’m short waisted & with a 3″ tall waistband I’m afraid they’re be up to my boobs. Do you have any suggestions (sewing-wise I mean)? thanks, linda