New Fabric and Paperbag Pants Pattern - Merry Christmas to ME!

Well I'm at it again!  After taking a hiatus from sewing garments, I've decided to start sewing clothing again.  I found the cutest wide leg - high waist pants pattern and just fell in love with it.  This is the best time of year to buy fabric from Fashionfabricsclub.com as they always have awesome deals around Christmas.

The pants have a "paperbag" style waist so I chose a cotton/nylon blend broadcloth in darker colors (so inevitable stains are hidden).  The nylon adds abrasion resistance and strength and the cotton provides comfort and breathability.  Military fatigues are made from a similar fabric.  It's thinner than one would usually use for pants, but I'm going to line them with fine cotton muslin.  We have a lot of ticks and chiggers on our property and I wear calf boots while working.  I'll tuck the lining into the boots to keep the critters off of my legs.  

I'm excited to play with this pattern and am thinking of ways to replace the waist elastic with a belt threaded through extra large "button holes" so I have something to put my knife and pistol holsters on.  Maybe some cargo style pockets as well.....

Hi Sherry,  that pattern looks cute. Do you think you can add wide belt loops to replace the elastics?
Enjoy your Christmas presents!

May Lotito wrote:Hi Sherry,  that pattern looks cute. Do you think you can add wide belt loops to replace the elastics?
Enjoy your Christmas presents!

Hi May,

I thought of belt loops, but I'm thinking in order for the waistband to gather properly, the majority of the belt must be internal.  I'm thinking of strategically setting some extra large buttonholes so the belt will only be outside the waistband where I need it.

Since the waist will need to expand a lot, I'm going to try adding some kind of tie to the ends of the leather.  Maybe pretty scarves?  

I only just read about "paper bag" as a term for a waist band. Portia Lawrie has two examples in her book, "The Re:Fashion Wardrobe" (pp 92-99).

She uses the concept to upcycle fabric from thrift shops. She definitely shows wide belt loops as May asked, however her instructions also include multiple small pleats at the waist - her example used 12 x 1 inch pleats spread front and back, but she calculated based on the amount of fabric required to get the pants over the hips, but compared to the generous width of the fabric at the top. This would address Sherry's concern of keeping the fullness spread in appealing ways. This wouldn't work if the pattern was only calling for the minimum waist measurement to clear the hips.

Jay Angler wrote:I only just read about "paper bag" as a term for a waist band. Portia Lawrie has two examples in her book, "The Re:Fashion Wardrobe" (pp 92-99).

She uses the concept to upcycle fabric from thrift shops. She definitely shows wide belt loops as May asked, however her instructions also include multiple small pleats at the waist - her example used 12 x 1 inch pleats spread front and back, but she calculated based on the amount of fabric required to get the pants over the hips, but compared to the generous width of the fabric at the top. This would address Sherry's concern of keeping the fullness spread in appealing ways. This wouldn't work if the pattern was only calling for the minimum waist measurement to clear the hips.

Hi Jay,

I'm curious as to whether the pattern you saw has an opening (zipper or buttons)?  

This one does not.  Fixed pleats wouldn't work with it, since I must be able to stretch the top enough to slide over my (rather wide) hips.  It's very simple to sew, and I could definitely just put elastic in the waist.  However, I don't want the bulk of a belt to hold my knife and pistol, nor do I want to put a horizontal line there which would disrupt the high waist "paperbag" look.  That's why I'm considering an internal belt (think beefed up drawstring) that surfaces in just a couple of strategic spots.

Yes - so much is dependent on an individual's shape. The example from the book was for a fairly loose fit, and the model wasn't particularly wide in the hips. That said, adding a buttoned flap wouldn't be that hard with that sort of simple waistline. I would be inclined to add it in one side seam, and put the string for tightening coming out at the side instead of the front, as I'd prefer not to have the extra bulk at the front. Sometimes it's worth considering thinking outside the box - or in this case, outside the paper bag!

Jay Angler wrote:Yes - so much is dependent on an individual's shape. The example from the book was for a fairly loose fit, and the model wasn't particularly wide in the hips. That said, adding a buttoned flap wouldn't be that hard with that sort of simple waistline. I would be inclined to add it in one side seam, and put the string for tightening coming out at the side instead of the front, as I'd prefer not to have the extra bulk at the front. Sometimes it's worth considering thinking outside the box - or in this case, outside the paper bag!

I may have to add some kind of opening and I completely agree about not having the string coming out at the front.  Hopefully I will be able to keep the pattern very simple - I say that and I'm already planning on lining it.  That's the fun part of sewing your own clothes.  You get to change it up so it works for you.  

I didn't bring my sewing machine with me to Florida so I won't be able to get started on this until we get back in February/March.  That will give me a chance to scour the thrift stores for nice sheets for the lining and pretty scarves to go on the belt.  This is what I THINK it might look like.  

I'm not sure how the waistband will ruffle where the belt goes outside the fabric.  I may have to insert some elastic in just those areas to keep the ruffling uniform without interfering with the ability to get them on.  I had considered horizontal belt loops instead of threading the belt out of the waistband, but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be able to hold my pistol without the full support of a belt.  So... I will thrift some sturdy belts and cut them just shorter than my waist.  A pretty scarf will be attached to each end so the waistband can be tied.  This should provide enough support for the pistol.

This is what I THINK it will look like: