Hoorah for Style Arc Elle Pants

Professor Higgins: By Jove, I think she's got it!

Style Arc Elle Pants

Yes, I feel like Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady, ready to dance all night in my new Style Arc Elle pants.  I'm even happy enough with the fit to post front and back pictures.  Turn away now if that's too much for you.
Description:  ELLE PANT: This is the pant of the moment, slim line from ankle to waistline. Elastic waist 35mm or 1 ¼ inch wide. These pants sit so beautifully without any bulk, wear them with your high heels out for the night or with your sneakers for brunch.....a must have piece in your ward robe !

Sizes:  6-30  I made mine in a 14.  To give you a comparison, I wear a size 12 in US RTW.

Did it look like the pattern picture on the envelope?  Yes, it's great pull on slim line pant even on the parts of me that aren't so slim line.

Were the directions easy to follow?  They are not very detailed but sewing pants is rather simple, especially pull on ones.  

What did you particularly like or dislike about this pattern?  I've been reading the raves about Style Arc for a year or two now and gave two of their pants patterns a try.  The Linda pant just didn't work for me but this Elle pant was a wonderfully pleasant surprise.  I like that it is a pull on but with a remarkably flat elastic waist, almost a one to one ration with your finished waist measurement.  That means no bulk, just an easy pant to sew and wear.  I like the slim line look which is in fashion right now and can see doing this with short zippers at the ankle.  It's not an inexpensive proposition to order these patterns and a little frustrating that they only come in one size but I think I've found a long term TNT pattern.  I intend to work with my original and make several versions this year.

Fabric used?  I used a stretch woven, almost a micro corduroy for this version.  it's from Fabric Mart and probably has less stretch than recommended so it's snug to pull on but comfy so far to wear.  It's my third muslin and perfectly wearable although future versions will be in darker colors.  I think the light color gives you the best picture of how they fit on me.

Pattern Alterations:  I used a size 14, added four inches to the length, scooped out the back crotch about 3/8" and raised the back 1/2".  Those are pretty standard pants alterations that I make on a Burda pattern as well so although others can make these out of the envelope, I still had to do a few muslins.  In this pair I used 1 1/2" elastic, not the 1 1/4" and found it even more comfortable.

Would you sew it again?  Oh yes, many more versions will be showing up in my wardrobe.  I'm lucky that I have a good collection of stretch wovens in my resource center so you might get tired of seeing these in future posts.

Ok, here are the pictures.

Slim fit even on the not so slim parts of me

Can't believe I'm posting this picture on the internet....but what are sewing friends for...

And now let's make sure you know how I intend to wear these pants.  My usual pants look is a gentle boot cut which I like to think gives me a slight hourglass effect on my rectangular body.  These pants are an entirely different proportion and I think need the larger over smaller look.  I will not wear them with a short jacket or top....too much of the "lollipop look".....big and round on top, narrow stick below.   

Gotta run.  I'm out to visit with a friend for a long walk and late lunch in the gorgeous fall weather that came through with a front last night.  Hope your weekend has been shaping up to be enjoyable and full of pleasant surprises like these pants were for me.