The Seaforth Pants

Introducing the Seaforth Pants!

Seaforth is a casual, loose-fit, mid-rise pant in two views. View A features a full length wider leg hem and view B has a narrower ankle-length elasticated hem.

Both views have large cargo-style front patch pockets with an angled zipper welt opening and two back patch pockets.

The back has waist darts to reduce excess fabric below the elasticated waistband. The separate waistband encases 2″ elastic with optional channel stitching and drawstring.

Seaforth is perfect for dressing up or down depending on fabric and styling. These pants look equally great with sandals and a tank top or heels and a cami. They are perfect for the office, errand running, lounging at home, and vacations. The laid-back style will be so versatile in your wardrobe!

Fabric Recommendations

Fabric recommendations for Seaforth include linen, washed linen, linen/rayon, and linen/cotton. Nearly any mid-weight fabric with some drape will work well for the Seaforths though. If using a stretch woven, consider sizing down so they don’t become stretched out while wearing. Robert Kaufman makes a two great linen blends that work beautifully for the Seaforths and can be purchased in tons of online shops and local quilt stores. The Brussels linen is the linen/rayon blend you see here, and the Essex linen is a linen/cotton blend that would make the Seaforths look more like structured trousers. Both linens have a yarn dye option that adds some texture, depth, and increased softness to the fabrics.

Choosing a size

Measure around the fullest part of your hip (this is usually around your butt) and compare it to the body measurements in the pattern to choose your base size. From there, you can choose to grade up or down to the waist and through the leg.

Fitting and Alterations

The front and back rises are included to give you an idea of where the waistband will sit on your body. Add them together to get the total crotch length. To compare the pattern crotch length to your body, measure starting at the point you’d like your waistband to sit at the center front of your body and then bring the tape measure down through your legs and back up to the center back waistband’s desired spot. Wear leggings or just underwear for this measurement to get a close fit measurement. The total crotch length of the Seaforths should be greater than this measurement by 2-3 inches since it is a looser fitting pant. This will give you an idea of whether or not you need to shorten or lengthen the rise height on the pattern.

Another important measurement is your upper thigh, which is the circumference of your thigh at the height of the pant crotch (about 2″ below your crotch). Compare it to the thigh measurement on the body measurement chart to see if you need to add to the back crotch width. This adjustment is illustrated in the pattern. If your thigh measurement is greater than the size you make and you don’t alter this area, it can lead to drag lines that give your pants a “wedgie” appearance. If your thigh measurement is smaller than the body chart, the extra ease most likely will not need adjustment unless it is extreme (more than an inch or two smaller). In that case, you would need to perform the opposite adjustment and shorten the crotch width.

After all girth and crotch fitting has been done, compare your inseam to the pattern inseam to determine whether you’ll need to add or reduce length through the leg. The wider leg on view A looks best when it skims just above the floor, and the view B jogger hem should just reveal the ankle bone for optimum style and comfort.

Elastic lengths for waist and ankle are included in the pattern, but personal measurements are always best for these areas. The best way to measure elastic is to actually wrap it around your body where it will sit in the garment, overlap it by 1/2″ or so, and cut. Elastic should be slightly stretched on your body but not too tight. At the ankle, err on the longer side so the elasticated hem sits freely on your ankle as you walk and doesn’t get stuck around your calf. You can always reduce the length if necessary, but you can’t make it longer!

Notion Requirements

Notions needed for the Seaforth Pants include two 6″ long zippers (this measurement refers to the length of the zipper from top to bottom stop, not the full length of the tape), 2 yards of drawstring, cording, twill tape, or similar, and fusible interfacing (the length is listed in the pattern requirements). Both views require 2″ elastic and view B requires 1″ elastic for the hem. A softer knit elastic is recommended for comfort. Elastic lengths are also listed in the pattern requirements.

The Seaforth Pants are on sale through July 4, 2020, no code required!

Sources:

Beige Pants – Robert Kaufman Brussels Washer Yarn Dye Linen Blend in Flax – Style Maker Fabrics

Olive Pants – Stretch Linen Blend Shirting – Style Maker Fabrics

Black Pants – Robert Kaufman Brussels Linen – Fancy Tiger Crafts

Twill Tape – Diego’s

Zippers – Wawak

Orange tank top – Durango

White shirt – thrifted, Madewell

Black cami – Ogden Cami

Sneakers – Veja

Sandals – Sorel

Necklace: Made by Mary