Heyo! I made these pants over the course of last week… I used to be such a ‘get it all done in one sesh’ sewer but now I’m getting OK with taking more time over things, just to give myself something to do each day…

They’re Style Arc Kew Pants, gone in the jeans direction by uh, using denim and a hammer-on button. I really wanted some balloon leg pants and was torn between Bob, Victor and Kew but ultimately liked the pocket detailing on Kew the best. (I actually also made some Bob sweatpants but they were far too big and looked inzane, so may revisit that pattern at some point too.)

I did some flat pattern adjustments before getting started, mainly grading down the waist based on the finished garment measurements chart as there is 2″ of ease included and I prefer my waistbands snugger. This is quite easy as there are additional seams running down the back leg which provide a useful spot for adjustments. However I should have removed some width proportionally from the fronts too as now the side seams are hanging slightly backwards as the front is wider than the back. This is causing a bit of funny pulling around the pockets, but not enough to massively bother me.

The pockets have nice construction; there are self-fabric facings for the openings and a yoke for the visible part at the hip, which is attached on top of the lining fabric. Other details include a pre-curved waistband (hurrah, one less adjustment to make) and a dart at the front hem to peg in the silhouette – there’s supposed to be a cut-out notch detail but I sewed the dart all the way to the hem. As we all know by now, Style Arc instructions are pretty inscrutable, but I used my own techniques for the fly etc and I like the drafting and details a great deal. The fit is exactly how I hoped, with a bit of interest from the shaping but not wildly voluminous, though I was hoping for almost full length so took the smallest hem possible and they’re still pretty cropped. They’re very comfortable too; the waistband has stretched out a touch but hopefully they’ll snap back in the wash.

I used 9oz Brushed Bull Denim from Blackbird Fabrics; I was buying more of my favourite ever fabric and threw this into the order to make the most of postage. It’s really nice, the ideal mid weight with a soft finish to add even more comfort. Didn’t have an appropriate black zip in my stash so it’s navy but at least the brass detailing match.

I’m pleased with these, they definitely pass the WFH comfort test and I think I might make an indigo denim version some time.