Pattern Review: Community Pant

Patterns by SewCo is the 2020 creation of some wonderful and talented folks in Hendersonville, NC, with vast fashion design and production sewing experience. Their PDF pattern catalog began with a dress, followed by slippers, and now the Community Pant.

I made the slippers and loved the pattern, and eagerly awaited the next release from Patterns by SewCo.

Cover of instruction booklet

I’m going to be honest: at first glance, I was a little nervous. The pants have two things that I have avoided for years: pleats and a dropped crotch. But a few things conspired and now I have a new pair of pants: 

1. I need new pants. The last year has not been generous to my waistline. Or it’s been too generous?

2. I like unusual garments.

3. Patterns by SewCo shared the pattern with me.

Line drawing and excerpt of pattern info

I used a wool blend fabric from Make It Sew. Knowing these would be an everyday kind of pants, and unlined, I machine washed the fabric first, letting it air dry. It has shrunk/felted in to a delightful cozy material that reminds me of deluxe sweatpants. The charcoal color, however, makes it really difficult to mark on.

I printed the PDF pattern at home, though you could also print on a large-format printer—local printshops, online services, and sometimes generous friends are available for this. The download includes one PDF sheet of printing instructions, which is very helpful, in addition to the pattern files and instruction booklet. Using Adobe Reader to view the files allowed me to select and print only my size (large).

Marking tools and weights are necessary when tracing your pattern.

Once the pieces were taped together and cut, I traced them with a pink chalk triangle. The project, start to finish, gave my eyes a workout… because of the fabric I chose. The pattern markings are plentiful, and everything comes together quite nicely. I used my serger to finish seams, though you could also use a zig-zag machine or attachment, or French, bound, or flat-felled seams.

At some point during the process—the pattern suggests it will take 7 hours, start to finish—my nerves about the style fell away. I enjoyed making them. What’s not to like about a pattern that instructs, after finishing the waistband, “That was tricky—take a break!” This is clearly advice to home sewers, though the designers primarily use “industry standard” techniques while instructing.

The pattern is described as “Roomy, adjustable, and groovy,” and I couldn’t agree more. The fit is so comfortable, I think i could do yoga in them. The waistband is adjustable with three different buttons (one hidden in the front) and super groovy. I look forward to making a warm weather pair from lightweight denim or finewale corduroy.

The author sews barefoot and says she will probably iron the pants once in a while.

I’d like to add—in addition to roomy, adjustable, and groovy, the pants are also simple, elegant, and infinitely wearable. Thanks for making and sharing a great pattern, Patterns by SewCo.!