When I saw that CSC were planning a Curvy Pants Month, my heart sank a little. Pants (or trousers as we tend to call them here in the UK) are my nemesis. My experience of making them is not happy. They usually end up being too small, too big, too long, or just plain unflattering, emphasizing my “apron” and short legs. Worse, most pants pattern reviews I read are about slim-fitting, hip-hugging skinny jeans or tailored trousers with flat fronts, none of which interests or suits me.
So, I emailed the CSC team and asked the question – would they please consider including some more “arty” designs in their feature – like lagenlook, or baggy pants, which just might fit me and help to hide my lumpy bits? I should be more careful what I wish for, because the answer was, “Yes, please! Will you write an article for us?” So, here I am, not with a pattern review exactly, more a chat, or show-and-tell, about my baggy pants journey.
Now, I love the lagenlook style. That is, I love to look at pictures of it and I love seeing other, braver, women wearing it. Those flouncy dresses and frilly pantaloons are so pretty! However, I’m not sure the style loves me. I don’t have the courage to wear it myself. I’m scared I will be laughed at or look like a clown. I still love the look, though, and I’ve often succumbed to temptation and bought the patterns – with the result that I have built up a collection of about 30 lagenlook patterns plus a huge mountain of linen and cotton fabrics to make them, but up til now I have only made a couple of self-drafted tunics in a very watered-down way. But…..I’d agreed to write an article on lagenlook pants…..so now what?
I got out my frilliest pantaloons patterns, mostly by Tina Givens, Verity Hope and Hys-Mode Schnittmuster and took a long look through them and promptly lost my nerve as usual. Then, I remembered I had some similar patterns in my other box, by Marcy Tilton, Hot Patterns and Style Arc. Perhaps they might be safer for me, and maybe one or two of them could be adapted to look a bit more “lagen-arty”? I decided to start with the Style Arc Ethel Designer Pants, which go up to a size 30 (61” hip). My measurements are bust 53”, waist 50”, hips 55”.
I made them in a medium weight natural linen/flax fabric in a size 26. I shortened the hems by 2 inches, and added a double-folded pleated trim to the leg bottoms for a lagenlook detail. As usual with Style Arc, the instructions were a little sparse, but these are a simple design so didn’t cause me any problems.
And what do you know? They fit, they are really comfy, they cover up my “apron” successfully and go quite well with my 2 year old self-drafted linen tunic! I give this pattern an overall 4.5 out of 5 rating. It would have been a 5 if the instructions had been more detailed, but that’s always the case with Style Arc patterns in my experience.
With my confidence growing, I remembered a book all about “arty” sewing: Bold & Beautiful Easy Sew Clothes by Habibe Acikgoz.
The book includes patterns for 2 pairs of pants plus various tunics, jackets, skirts and dresses. One of the pants patterns looked ideal for my next foray into the world of lagenlook. I chose a 2 metre length of linen and cotton mix plaid from my stash and decided to make the Wide Leg Pants in a size 4 (UK equivalent 24-26), printing the pattern from the CD included with the book.
I had to shorten the length by 4 inches as they appear to have been designed for a 6 foot supermodel (i.e. not me), but otherwise I made them exactly to size and as drafted. Following the book instructions was a bit frustrating as (1) size charts are in a different section to each pattern, (2) seam allowances are not referred to at all and (3) you have to flip from one section to another to find instructions for some parts, e.g. elastic insertion, ties and casings. I guessed the seam allowances to be the standard 5/8” and luckily that worked. But I got there in the end and I like them! There is no way , though, that I’d dare wear them with the ties flapping dangerously around my feet as shown in the pictures, so I tied them up at the sides.
Once again they hide the bits of me that I don’t want to show, the fit is good, and they look more or less like they do in the book photos. I give this pattern a 4 out of 5 rating, deducting a point for the ridiculously long length and the confusing way the instructions are given in the book. Now that I know what to expect, I plan to try their hanky-hem tunic next (the one shown on the book cover). Readers, there is no stopping me now! 
Other lagenlook type patterns I am now determined to try include the following:
Tina Givens Norma Jean jeans and Cara pants, which are available in multi-sized PDFs up to size U.S 22:
Hys-mode Schnittmuster Makani and Kalama pants, available in single sizePDFs up to XXXXL:
If you are like me–dubious about slim-fit or tailored trousers, but fancying a bit of arty-lusciousness, comfort, and you are brave enough to wear them–why not have a go at making some lagenlook pants? I’m feeling much braver now I’ve started!
I remembered this post from back in February but have just come back to it now. I realize that this is a look that I like, though maybe not the frillier details. So I’ve ordered the Ethel pants pattern along with a Daisy pants and tunic bundle from Style Arc. I have a lovely woven silk in my stash that I bought on my 30th birthday (I just turned 53, maybe I ought to actually use it!) and I am eyeing up some linen for trousers.
Jo…is that the tunic with the curved double hem?
I am almost finished putting it together in some very fine cotton.
I found the hem facings a bit heavy and bulky despite this.
Next time i will ditch the facings on the him and make a fine rolled hem.
The facings make the double hem too heavy (in my opinion).
I also skipped the inseam tunic pockets. I felt my fabric was too light for pockets.
If you are using silk, that might make a huge difference, and I hope you post how you get on.
The trousers were a great success.
I skipped the pockets there too, though.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m at the acquiring patterns and fabric stage, but I’m getting ever closer to taking the plunge. I’ve only just discovered lagenlook, although some of the patterns I’ve bought over the past two years are clearly from that stable. I’ve also just bought the Style Arc Ethel pattern that you tried out, and it will probably be my first effort in this style. I think the smile on your face in the first picture says it all!
Thanks again from a fellow recluse – I’m up a mountain in Wales.
Hi Acorn! Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I hope you’re pleased with the Ethel pattern, it’s definitely become my favourite pants go-to pattern.
I’m so happy to see your Lagenlook review. I seem to be approaching this type of sewing the same way I started quilting. By stocking up on Tina’s Patterns and beautiful linen then letting them sit on the shelf because of fear.
I even went on a garment making retreat but I couldn’t get myself to make the items I knew I wouldn’t wear. I did learn how to make patterns from ready to wear so that was helpful.
Thanks again.
Jan
Hi Janet and thank you for your comments. It’s amazed me how many people are like me and you, and nervous about sewing garments in this style. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to go “the whole hog” and wear lots of frills and flounces, but I am enjoying dipping my toe into a prettier way of dressing by adding little touches of lagenlook. Maybe you could start gently like I did (am)?
I really liked this article, it made me realize I’m a closet Lagenlook lady already. Well, I’ve decided to come out of the closet and make Lagenlook garments myself. Thank you for your tip about that Bold & Beautiful book. I managed to snag a used copy which cd rom has never been used.
Love from Holland, Katja
Hi Katja! Thank you for commenting and I hope you enjoy your own adventure into lagenlook as much as I’m doing!
I’m so glad you wrote this ! I had no idea what Lagenlook was, truly had not been interested enough to find out. I’ve been sewing for my 10 year old granddaughter. she has great ideas and will drape fabric endlessly over anything that doesn’t move. It was quilts for 20 years, then I moved into baby dresses, ruffle pants and twirl skirts.
while she was reading over my shoulder she saw the pants with the ties at the ankles and declared a new project for us. Because, we Both would look good in these ! We are anxiously awaiting the book from Amazon, while we sift through “our” stash of vintage fabrics. Thank you for putting this in front of us.
What a lovely story! It makes me so happy to know I’ve helped to sow the seeds of creativity in your granddaughter! Have fun sewing together and I hope you both love your pants!
Thank you for your wonderful review. Like you I have collected many “lagenlook” patterns and am yet to make any up! This review has given me some confidence to go ahead myself. I like the look you have created the outdits are very flattering on you.
Thank you Jacqui! I can’t ever see myself sewing up the very full and flouncy designs, but now I’ve made a start, I am definitely going to have a go at some more. I hope you will too!
This sewing adventure is all about being brave. Bravery is how we get to see ourselves in a new light. I enjoyed this post because I believe anyone can wear anything they feel good in. I think you look great in your pants. Both pair are fabulous on you. Great post and I hope you write another post soon.
Thank you so much!
I love the pleated trim pants you did. I’ve always shied away from something like that, thinking it would look too odd on my larger body. You’ve really inspired me with your brave adventures though as they look amazing! Congratulations on successfully branching out.
Thank you Annette! Be brave too, you won’t regret it.
This is really awesome! I have been wearing lagenlook including Tina Givens for about a year now. It felt awkward at first but now it’s just me! I’m going to make some more pants!
Excellent! Thanks for your comment.
I love this article Lorraine. Creative and inspiring. I love your look. Great work and thank you so much for sharing. Delighted to learn how folks like me can look great.
Hi Deb and thank you so much!
Thankyou! I have a number of these patterns myself and also been scared to make them. Im inspired to take the plunge now. Thank you for a great article.
This makes me so happy! Have fun!
Finally! Someone who looks like me and has the same problems. Brave and clear and very informative! Perhaps you should concider writing more? And BTW I am loving this month with all the very concrete advice which I am finding immensely helpful. Yay!
I’m so pleased you could relate to me and my trials and tribulations, Catarina! I’m grateful too to CSC for helping me for the last year to come to accept myself and my body, and with it build a bit of self-confidence.
Love these, thanks for your perspective!!
Thanks for commenting, Lindsay.
Haven’t read the other comments, but I LOVE the first pair! I’m not wild about the second pair, but I think it’s the fabric that I’m not so fond of. I also like ve Lagenlook, but haven’t jumped in with both feet yet, for where I live I stick out like “a sore thumb” (one of my Granny’s sayings) if dressed differently than the average jeans and t-shirt of the locals. Keep it up, Lorraine! You look beautiful and happy!
Awww thank you Yvonne! I know what you mean about dressing differently, but it’s strange – the more different I dare to be, the less I’m beginning to care about meeting other peoples’ expectations. And even jeans and t-shirts can have a touch of “you” about them. (have you seen my lobster tee? 🙂 )
Well, now I am inspired to make a pair of pants like you did. Good to see that someone with a body style similar to mine found comfortable and stylish pants. Thank you so much!
I’m so pleased to be helping to inspire you, Rhonda! I hope you enjoy your pants journey as much as I have!
I’m not inclined to Lagenlook myself; I prefer a more tailored look that makes the most of an extravagant hourglass/vase-shaped figure, but my second cousin, who is a bony pear in her seventies, has worn the style for almost as long as I have known her, in shades of black, mustard, and magenta that are wonderfully flattering with her fair skin, cropped dark hair, and dramatic makeup.
That sounds marvellous! Mustard and magenta is one of my favourite combinations too.
Lorrie, I think I love you. Or at least we are twins separated at birth. ❤ So much alike. Amongst with is my love for odd clothes that I don’t make because I’d look weird. Maybe not. You’ve given me hope.
Cary
Odd and weird is good! It’s different, daring, creative and cool! Get making those odd clothes and love them, even if you start out just wearing them at home, like I mostly do (but that’s changing slowly).
Lovely trousers – I think you will really enjoy having them in your wardrobe! Back when I was an avid seamstress, I sewed many pants and shorts, including a pair of pinstriped velveteen knickers (short pants, not undies). I haven’t been sewing seriously for many years, but CSC is giving me inspiration. Last summer I bought pants and shorts patterns and material, and I would love to get started on them soon. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Thank you Annie! I hope you find the motivation to start sewing soon.
They look fantastic good on you for giving it a go. I think the Kalama pants would be fantastic with some colour blocking and feature fabrics with a plain tunic for summer. Keep going !
Thank you! I love colour blocking and that’s the way I’m planning to go with the Kalamas. I just need to find the right weight as I think linen will be too heavy for them, and cotton too light. Any suggestions as to fabric type would be most welcome!
A rayon? A little more body than cotton but very fluid. That would be the only danger I think. That fluidity might make colour blocking difficult.
I am so glad you did this review, Lorraine! My mother and her sisters are all in their 70s and have been wearing this style and collecting pieces for many years. They always look so stylish and this type of dress is wonderful for showing off unique jewelry pieces. I am not a novice sewer, but I still have MUCH to learn. I’ve been hoping to try and sew some of these pants for myself as well as for my family. It is good to know the patterns are all quite straightforward. Please do another review if you sew any more. Your tunic is lovely, by the way- I would want it in several colors!
Thank you Erica! Talking of jewellery, I’m planning to make some pendants and necklaces, heavily inspired by this lovely lady’s blog: http://spottydogsocialclub.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/neck-adornments.html – I’m busy collecting leather and suede cords, and I have lots of beads and precious stones to put on them!
Thank you for your article. You look great in your pants! You have inspired me to give making a pair of pants a try. I live in southern Lousiana so capri pants are more appropriate. But I am going to give it a whirl!
I’m so happy to have inspired you!
Wonderful pants all. Don’ you just love the pure sense of a good linen.
You I’ve me more inspiration to go for it.
Thank you
Thank YOU, Beth!
Hi Lorry, great review, I’m glad you allowed those bossy CSC women to coerce you into it. You look great in all your trousers (being NZ by birth and living in Aus 30 years+ I’m with you with trousers over “pants”) My figure is very similar to yours and I share your dubiousness about trousers so I was delighted to see how successful your experiments were. Even as a designer of 14 lagenlook patterns I haven’t included a pair of trousers in my catalogue! BTW, lagenlook isn’t always about frills and furbelows as in Tina Givens and more particularly like Magnolia Pearl. I consider myself unequivocally a “Lagenlook ” designer but I intensely dislike what I regard as sentimental references to the historical Victorian period. My version of lagenlook is much more aligned to the sculptural version of the Japanese, as in Yohji Yamamoto and contemporary cutting edge European design like Rundholz.
I love your patterns and have several of them. I’d love to see a pair of trousers designed by you! Thank you for your comments.
Lagenlook isn’t my style, but I love love loved this article! It’s so great to hear about someone embracing a style that they love and enjoy wearing, and I’m so glad you got past the hesitation and went for it. All your new trousers look smashing, and I hope this is the start of some great new sewing and styling adventures for you!
Thank you Claire!
Not my style, either. I think for comfort, yes, for polish, no, and I don’t mean that in a mean way. It depends on your career, your lifestyle, etc. and how you feel in that style. I say, “Go for it!” . You are the Captain of your own ship.
Love me some Lagenlook! What a great article; I often see tops/tunics etc. to make, but really hadn’t sourced any pants (beyond basic capri’s). I love the styles you have shown — and the Style Arc review. Great Job!
Thank you PepperReed! Actually I love baggy capris for the summer, you can’t beat them with a long tee for coolness and comfort – and they look great under linen lagenlook tunics too.
I hope you realized that you had nothing to fear but fear itself. All of your makes for this post are lovely! They’re cute without looking little girlish. They add some fun, unexpected details, and the detailing seems like it would pull the eye away from the areas I’m most concerned about – like my potbelly. This style seems like it would give you lots of room for creativity with fabric and color – but also look just as stylish in a more conservative fabric/color/print.
I’ve never heard of laganlook, but I’m going to check them out now because I just love how your makes turned out.
Thank you Jill! All the points you made are exactly what I love about this sort of look, plus of course the comfort you feel when wearing it. If you look on Pinterest for lagenlook there is so much inspiration to be had – it’s where I first got interested in the style.
Hooray! Hooray for you and for all the other independent ladies who are ready to dress for fun and comfort! I’ve just learned there is a name for this funky look I’ve been admiring. I love both your trousers and plan on trying something similar. (I’ll steal your look since you’re too far away to catch me.) I have a Sandra Betzina pattern V1355 that I’m going to make in a soft stretchy knit. Baggy legs and slim at the ankle. I hope they look as cool as yours do.
Oooh yes!! That pattern will be perfect! Thank you for commenting!
Hola Loreto!
I LOVE The lagenlook Style but haven’t gotten around to try it just yet. Will do in the summer.
I also have”the apron” and I’ve just learnt to make an adjustment to patterns so that they fit and don’t produce bags on the sides. I’ve had to due to my workplace’s dress code, and that is also why I am mostly making more standard clothes now. But yes, lagenlook goes next.
I’d LOVE to see the results of the two last patterns, so go ahead and tell us what you learn from the experience 😉
Do you mean the Schnittmuster patterns? Oooh they are a bit scary but I do intend to make them soon. I’ll show them on the CSC fb page providing they don’t make me look like a Russian Cossack dancer or Coco the Clown. I’m not sure what fabric to use though!
Yes yes, Shnittmuster patterns, the one on the right specifically. And the Tina Givens Cara ones look amazing too.
The thing is that you can use any kind of fabric you’d like. For summery pants I normally use viscose because it’s fresh, but it’s maybe too light for these. The part I like about the ones I like is that they have details that call for fabric combining. I know lagenlook is normally seen on plain fabrics, but, who cares?
Also, a Russian Cossack dancer is a badass thing to look like, so just go for it! You know the good thing about clothes? It’s not how they look, it’s how they make you feel. If you feel comfortable and like what you did, you will look great because you will act confident.
Also… don’t be scared. When I try a new pattern and am unsure, I usually start with a “test run” with fabrics I don’t like that much (thrifted, bought at 1 euro per meter for that specific purpose or even old bedsheets). Then if I like the result I go for the real thing. The good thing about making a mistake is that normally, you won’t repeat it 😀
Thanks for sharing!
I am almost the same size as you Lorry, and it is so lovely to see how great these trousers look on you, coz I know they’ll look ok on me too. Thank you for sharing this pattern review with us, its given me a lot to think about, and I shall be looking out for any of your new makes on the CSC facebook page.
Thank you Lisa! I’m about to start making the Tina Givens Harper pinafore dress (de-volumed and hoiked up a bit!) so look out for that on the FB page. I’ll look out for your makes too!
Those look great! Thank you for stepping up and trying out these patterns for the benefit of all of us! I’ve been thinking about this look myself. And now I have a place to start.
Thank you Jo! I’m so thrilled my efforts have been received so well here, and that I may be helping others to step just a bit outside of their comfort zone. The pants I made aren’t exactly radical – but they are a little different to what some of us may be used to seeing and making, and they’re a start towards finding a look we can love, rather than wearing what we (or society) think we should wear.
Lorry: Thanks so much for sharing! You look FAB! I have your same figure – and “they” keep telling us baggy clothes will just make us look bigger. NOTHING will make us look like a 6 foot super model. Go with who you are! Hey – here we are world! I love how you look – so now I can boldly go where you have blazed the trail! Also, thanks for the specific pants pattern referrals. I LOVE the two at the end of the article you are going to try next. I already have some of the Tina Givens patterns, and will get the Style Arcs, give them a try, and then upward and onward to the really arty ones. Now that we are over 55, we can WEAR WHAT WE WANT and BE WHO WE ARE. We are not frumpy older ladies. WE ARE BUTTERFLIES emerging from our timid cocoons! Let’s quit following fashion trends that work for other people, and start setting fashion trends that work for us! You go girl!!!
Trying Hard to be Less Timid Julie
Hi Julie and thank you – I love what you’ve written! I agree that nothing is going to make us look like something we’re not – so we might as well be comfortable in what we do wear, and there’s no reason why we can’t be a bit stylish too. I remember my old mum, she was a big cuddly lady and she always bought the same trousers from the same catalogue, always in crimplene (remember that?), and always complained about feeling hot in them, not to mention the dozens of pairs I had to take up by 6 inches for her. But she would never try anything different, saying she’d look “silly”. I so wish she was still alive so I could help her discover her unique style AND spend her later years feeling comfortable and pretty. Let’s not make that same mistake.
These trousers are great! I love the last look. I can relate to not going out in public in the Lagenlook, but you know what, screw it! We need to be ourselves and live authentically. Good for you!
It’s easier said than done Janet! But with small steps and a pared-down version we can ease ourselves in gently, eh! Thank you for commenting!
I am not a pants woman AT ALL, but I adore these. I think you’ve found your look.
Thank you Susan.
Really inspiring! I love the hems.
Thank you, Sue!
Love your look. I enjoyed reading about your journey into pants.
Thank you so much, Margaret.
You are rocking this look. I would like to see more of what you make. Are you on IG, a blog, monthly feature here at curvysewingcollective?
Thank you so much Kathy! I don’t have a blog – sorry but I’m far too lazy to keep one of those updated (oops). I do post on the CSC Facebook page from time to time, if you do a search on the fb page on Lorraine Newman you will find lots of my makes posted there. I’m always surprised when people are interested in my makes to be honest! I’m a lazy sew-and-sew – quite prolific when I get going but I can’t be bothered with muslins, or achieving a perfect fit…..I’m happy if it goes over my head most of the time! I tend to sew instinctively although I do follow some basic rules that I learned at school over 50 years ago. But most of the time I’m not really a good influence on people who want to sew or fit well. Meg McCarthy has been trying to persuade me to write a “Sewing for my Curves” article for this blog – I’m still thinking about it due to the self-doubts I’ve mentioned above…..
I have the Bold & Beautiful book but at 5’2″, none of the designs really work for me. I applaud your making those pants work so well. I think it is time for that book to go to another home – of someone who can/will use it.
That’s a shame, Ann! Why not have a go at making the pants before you let the book go – you may surprise yourself!
Ann, I have the Bold and Beautiful book too, and a little shorter than you. Nothing in it has worked for me; by the time stuff is altered to fit, the proportions are all wrong and essential style details lost. I would need to entirely redraft the patterns to have them proportionate for my barely 5ft/150cm of height with a 23″/59cm inseam, and I can’t do that due to eyesight issues. I do love the styles in the book, and many other lagenlook-type styles, but sadly I’ve found that, for me at least, wearing lagenlook results in a loony lady look.
I think that we little-and-luscious ladies *can* wear lagenlook-alikes, though, as long as we’re extremely careful, understated and above all reduce the overall volume of fabric. With typical lagenlook fabric volumes, we short ladies can all too easily end up looking like a bundle of random rags, instead of a striking figure swathed in wafting fabric, as Lorry does.
“Understated Lagenlook” is a great way to describe what I aim for! I’ve been scared of the “loony lady” label for a long time, but with a bit of careful re-styling as you describe, we can enjoy the pretty look and not feel like we’re standing out in a crowd for all the wrong reasons.
The thing is, though, that you undeniably have the height to ‘carry’ a certain volume of fabric in approximately the places where a designer wants to put it. We shorties simply *don’t*, whether we are fat or thin.
It is, sadly for us but entertainingly for others, far too easy for shorties to achieve an unintended loony lady look rather than anything even remotely resembling art teacher chic … !! LoL been there, done that, got over it and managed to get the look ‘right’, or at least right-‘ish’. Not easy, though.
Love the title ‘Loony Lady’ look. I made a pair of the Marcy Tilton pants a few years ago and all I could think of was ‘clown pants’. Looked that way and felt that way for me and sadly, they were worn while on an Artist Residency but not since. Sad waste of great linen.
I have a friend who rocks this look & I’ve always said she embodies the ‘Wacked Artist’ look, which is actually what she is. A wild & wonderful wacky artist. Me, too short & too conservative to make it work. I look 1000 times better in something tailored – the volume seems to match my vertical stature!
Thanks for the new vocab phrase! If anyone is curious about & interested in the book, please send me a nudge, it needs a good home.
If either of you ladies would be interested in selling me your book, I’ll be interested in buying it!
I’m keeping mine, sorry! I like it for inspiration concerning the overall ‘look’. I sew for others beside myself, too, and the patterns are good for taller ladies. Mine only cost a couple of £, second-hand but ‘as new’.
Brava! These are lovely. I too, have wanted to try lagenlook, but I live in a conservative town in the midwest of the USA – not a exactly a fashion-forward place! You have inspired me and others. Thank you!
Believe me, they don’t get much more conservative than here on Skye! Apart from the craft community that is. But I hope you will face your doubts too and have a go at a pared-down lagenlook style like I did – and who knows where that will lead, especially when you get your first compliments and “where did you buy those?” type comments. It’s very uplifting and encouraging.
I love the little pleated ruffle at the hem. CUTE!
Thank you Barb!
What an inspiring and encouraging post! I usually avoid pants like the plague, but I think some of what you showed could be really comfortable and fun. Thank you so much! 🙂
Comfortable – tick! Fun – tick! Inspiring and encouraging – I will be thrilled if this is the case! Thank you for your comment. x
They look great lorry! I love the lagenlook style too, you’ve inspired me to give it a go!
Thank you Rachel! I’d love to see others’ versions of this sort of style xx
These are fantastic!
Like you trousers have always been my nemesis.
I bought a Style Arc pattern too …a top with corresnponding straight leg trousers.
The top is rather lagen look too,mwith a double hem. You might like it.
It is called Daisy.
I have been documenting my struggles with the muslin for the trousers…and hope to share here too.
I found going online searching for trouser adjustments very useful.
For the first time I really understood crotch length.
I have always thought it was my hip measurement that was wrong.
I discovered that simply increasing the crotch length worked wonders.
Now I see the pattern you have used, I will try that one too,this time with my adjustments made before I cut.
The big revalation for me was actually making a proper ,complete muslin from cheap sheeting material – polycotton.
I will always test my muslins with a full pattern from now on.
Previously I would test only neck and shoulder width, or a sleeve.
A false economy in terms of my time and fabric costs!
Thank you for the tip about the Daisy pattern! Thanks also for your other tips. I’m very bad in that I hardly ever make muslins although I was caught out recently with a lagenlook tunic that luckily turned out far too big, but I could have saved a lot of fabric by not being so lazy!
Thank you so much. I am working on “lagenlook or tina designs” also. Florida is very hot and humid so I want light loose clothes and since I have melanoma I need sun coverage. Lorri, I worked in the medical field and felt the same way, now at 63 I am having fun doing what I like.
I’m the same age as you! I wish you lots of luck and happy sewing with your lagenlook patterns!
What a great article! I really like the trousers with the pleated bottoms. You look great in both of them and you’ve given me some hope that I could try something similar. Thank you for the inspiration!
Thank you, Debbie! Of course you can try something like this – just go for it! Why not come onto the CSC facebook page and show us when you’ve done it?
Thanks for your review and I ahve yo say that you look great in both pairs , I especially like the plaid pair. You have inspired me to try and make a pair for myself. I have that book on my amazon wishlist but I have to say that the thought of the patterns being on a cd and having to piece them together puts me off a bit. But, as I say, you have inspired me so I will try and be brave. I had given up sewing for myself as I lost the art of fitting myself as I got bigger. I have always been attracted to the lagen look like you but a bit afraid of wearing it in public, so I wear a variation of it.
Keep on with your good work.
Aww thank you so much, Linda. The patterns are very easy to locate on the CD, and a doddle to put together. However, the book is a little annoying with having to jump from one section to another to follow instructions. But if I can do it, so can anybody. Some of the tops in the book are beckoning to me right now……
Congrats for boldly going forward. fantastic trousers, look great, fit seems spot on too. Nice to see something different instead of the same old every one is making patterns. Gave me boost to try something a little different too
I’m so happy I may have inspired you to try something like this, Baa! It can be very disheartening always to see articles about the sort of fitted pants that I know don’t work for me.
I LOVE the darker pair! Both are pants I want to possibly try now, I’m just not a khaki color girl, so I think that’s what’s throwing me off on the first pair. They are super adorbs, I may try them in a print or bright color. Great job! Thanks for sharing.
Both these styles would look great in brighter colours, I agree! I have some burnt orange linen that is next in the queue for the StyleArc pattern!
Lorry, I think you’ve nailed your perfect pant shape! And you’re a born writer, too! I enjoyed reading about your pant journey, many thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Yvette. Since writing this article I’ve made two pairs of Tina Givens pants and I love them. I’ve yet to try dropped crotches though……..I’ve never seen myself as Mrs MC Hammer….but watch this space!
Fabulous article and it really is worth trying some of the dropped crotch patterns. I particularly like Tina Givens ‘Oprah’ made up in a lightweight denims as ‘jeans’.
Great to see Lagenlook being shown here, and it is lovely to see so many people say that they love the style. My wardrobe is 100% Lagenlook, I work in a Government Office in a supervisory position and these clothes can be work appropriate. Just be mindful of your fabrics and colours.
Great article Lorraine ?
These look wonderful! Well done for facing your fears and reducing that stash lol.
Thank you Jennifer! Unfortunately my stash seems to be breeding so this didn’t make much of a dent but I’m still trying!