Can I sell you on the power of party pants? Party pants are the rock star of your closet; they are shiny, or metallic, or covered in a loud print. They get noticed right away and will make you feel invincible. They may even attract a few groupies, lured in by the magnetic pull of your pant's tractor beam. Party pants are my favourite kind of pants.
These party pants have been literally years in the making. Way back on my first fabric buying experience in New York (was it 2012? Or 2013?) I found this beautiful gold metallic stretch twill. As soon as I saw the bolt I immediately knew I wanted to make a pair of slim fitting trousers with it, so I bought a couple yards. And then it sat in my fabric closet for... years. The plan was always the same, but I never had the right pattern until I designed our Sasha Trousers. I think I may have drafted Sasha just so I could finally make the gold disco pants of my dreams.
Although I'm not sure how well the fabric captures on cameras, trust me when I say Operation Party Pants is finally achieved. I broke them in at Christmas Party and intend to wear them for many semi-formal occasions to come. Although I wear mostly neutrals these days, I've realized I like wearing colorful or bold pieces on my bottom half. It makes a black turtleneck feel like more of an occassion.
These are actually my first personal pair of Sashas period, if you can believe it. We made so many samples when we were in pattern development that I had to wait a while before I felt like sewing a pair for myself (pattern burn-out is a thing). I'm also working on a mustard bengaline pair which are nearly done whenever I can find an hour or two to move them from my WIP pile. Although I am a size 12 waist/14 hip in our patterns, I cheated and made these in a straight size 12. Because I was a little nervous the fabric wasn't quite stretchy enough, I added 1/4" to the side seams from the hip down. It created an ever so slightly straighter leg, a good simple pattern mod you can make if your fabric is on the less stretchy side, or you want a less slim-fitting pair.
I also pressed in leg creases since I think they add instant polish to trousers. And while I added the welt pockets in the back, I skipped the actual pocket bags since I was worried about the pocket bags showing through with the shimmery fabric (which they do in the front). I think my tush looks better with welts, but I don't always need the functionally of working pockets back there. I just serged all around the welt pocket facing to seal it up.
Have you made our Sasha Trousers yet? I've noticed them cropping up on so many Make Nine lists on Instagram. What is your dream pair of Party Pants?