Same Pattern, Different Bodies: Arenite Pants

When Jennifer and Megan realized they had both made the Arenite Pants from Sew Liberated, they realized they couldn’t pass up the chance for a Same Pattern Different Bodies post. While this look is super trendy right now, it was a new look for both of us and we thought that it might be a style that other curvy ladies might have a hard time figuring out how to wear. After all, pants this voluminous go against all the standard, body-shaming advice about what we “should” wear. Well, down with that! We will wear huge pants if we want!

The Arenite Pants have an OK size range, going up to a 41.5″ waist and 51″ hip. They are described as “the luxuriously deep-pocketed, slouchy pants of your dreams. Incredibly versatile and amazingly cozy, you can wear these high-waisted pants for date night, in the office, or as pajamas. The pattern includes three leg finishing options – a knit cuff, an elasticated woven cuff, or a dressier hem.”

Jennifer

What are your measurements, height and body type? My measurements are 49/45/55. I’m 5’6” tall. I grow more and more apple-shaped by the day.

Details: I love the unique style lines of these pants, including the gigantic pockets and seam details. Paired with an Ogden cami or a Concord knit t-shirt, they are the perfect summer outfit.

Adjustments: I am technically two sizes bigger than the largest size 24, but I’d heard that the upper range ran big. At Megan’s advice, I went ahead and cut a size 24, grading down to a 22 in the legs. I also scooped out the front and back crotch, which is a pretty standard adjustment for me.

I find flat-felled dreams to be a ridiculous waste of time and energy, so I skipped them and just serged the front and back seams and them topstitched them down. Easy peasy.

I originally planned to do the cuffed ankle option, but found that it veered too far into harem pants for my taste. In a last minute change, I chopped off twos inches and hemmed the bottom — creating a cropped pant that I love.

Fabric: I used a navy linen blend from my stash, which is perfect for hot and humid Virginia summers, but does lean towards casual weekend wear. 

Changes for future versions: I’m excited to make another pair in a Tencel twill, which I think will bring this into “business casual” territory. Paired with a silk Montrose top and a linen jersey Blackwood and you’ve just described my ideal Tuesday outfit.

Final Thoughts: Find yourself a sewing butt-twin! Having someone that makes the same adjustments as you do is a fantastic way to shortcut the muslin and fitting process. Thanks Megan for being a great sewing friend!

Megan

What are your measurements, height and body type? My measurements are 45/42/53 and I am 5’6″ tall. Representing Team Pear!

Adjustments: I started with the largest size, a size 24.  I muslined this pattern and you can see my results here on my blog. On the first version, I added an inch to the inner thigh at the crotch curve, tapering to nothing around the knee. After getting the muslin sewn, I had a major wedgie situation so I scooped out the crotch curve. For my next version, I ended up adding an additional inch at the back waist, but I think it was a bit of overkill. I haven’t perfected the fit on these yet, but I have another pair of the cuff version planned for this summer, so I’ll get another chance. For the wide leg version, I wish I had gone down a size or two. For the tapered leg muslin, I think the size 24 was good. I also need to add some length for the next cuffed version.

Fabric: According to my emails, this appears to be the Rayon Twill from LA Finch Fabrics. The pattern called for 3-2/3 yards of 54″ wide fabric for all sizes, but I found that to be at least an extra yard of fabric. Even with making the largest size, I think you should easily be able to get away with just 3 yards of fabric, even with shrinkage in the pre-wash.

Final Thoughts: I think this is a really fun and unique pattern that is SOOOO comfortable to wear in hot weather. I love the big pockets and after making both the tapered and the wide leg version, I think the tapered is my favorite. Trends are late coming to New Mexico, but I have started to see some similar RTW pants around, so I guess they really are a thing! The only issue is trying to figure out what type of shirt to wear with these, but I think I have settled on a loose, cropped top as my favorite look. You can always tuck it in if you are looking for some waist definition. I’ve been wearing mine really casually, so I love that Jennifer showed us how to dress them up a bit!