Festive Attire
Holiday Casual
Tacky Christmas Sweater
Creative Black Tie
I’m only clued in to one of the upcoming Holiday invitation dress codes, but surely my new brocade pants will suffice for one of these categories!
When I walked into Mood Fabrics last month, my eye went directly to the enormous wall of brocade and quickly spotted a lovely red and cream DVF brocade. Being a lover of brocade slacks I immediately ordered two yards and just completed my new holiday pants.
Christmas in the Bahamas anyone?
Just kidding 
But due to the fabric, the pants can easily be dressed up
down
or somewhere in between.
My pattern is Style Arc’s Willow Pants which I sewed earlier this year in brocade. Any pant described to look ”amazing worn with heels or with flats” is my kind of pant AND it sits on the real waistline!
Since I’ve ordered four pieces of brocade over the last 15 months I have learned that the hand and texture vary enormously among brocades. This brocade is soft and drapey, so I underlined the pants with silk organza to provide added stability - no saggy knees or wrinkling after sitting! Underlining with organza brings other advantages to the sewing process too.
I cut the organza first marking the stitching lines, grain lines and other notches. (Marking the stitching line keeps me straight when sewing Style Arc’s 3/8″ seam allowance.) After placing the organza on the fashion fabric I cut and basted the two fabrics together.
Being extremely careful not to trim the seam allowance, I serged the seam allowances of the basted pieces as one before following the pattern instructions.
The preliminary worked made for simple sewing. No need to mark on the fashion fabric and the seam allowances are nicely finished.
It’s a great pattern to showcase such lovely fabric.
I’m also digging the pants’ split cuff which may be one of the easiest ways to hem a pant leg with professional results. Due to the split cuff, the pant length and inseam were carefully measured and adjusted in the muslin. The cuff was folded and stitched right sides together along the seam allowance, then turned. Presto.
It’s great to have completed my first holiday (ish) garment before working on others that will require time, patience and many of the luxuries that disappear as the holiday season approaches. Stay tuned for more brocade!
Until soon!
