Review by Kate @stitchmeayear
I was really pleased to be asked to write a pattern review of the StyleArc Clare Pants for Kaye and the team at The Studio at Number 30. The Clare pants pattern is a 7/8 wide leg trouser with a fabric belt and an elasticated section at the back (room for cake!) and flat waist at the front. And of course POCKETS !
I ran these up in this lovely pigeon grey linen viscose also from the shop and the Gutermann recycling polyester thread which they sell too. The drape on the fabric is fabulous and it’s sooo soft – perfect for this pattern. Using the linen mix also means that the elasticated waist at the back isn’t too bunched as it might be with a thicker fabric. You could use a rayon, a cotton lawn, perhaps a crepe or a fine linen too. These look great in this solid colour but a patterned fabric would work just as well.
StyleArc is an Australian company and not many U.K. shops stock their paper patterns. The Studio at Number 30 in Hitchin have a good range of them available on their website. I’ve also got the Patricia Rose dress to make up next.
The StyleArc patterns are minimalist which I liked, not too much fuss or complicated long winded instructions. The pattern paper itself is good quality paper rather than flimsy tissue like some other printed patterns. I’ll easily be able to use it lots of times and I’ll definitely be making these again.
The directions are clear as to how to put the pattern pieces together. It has both written step by step instructions and line diagrams so if you’re scratching your head with the steps the diagram sets it out for you to double check against.
Making the pattern up was pretty quick and simple, probably four or five hours over a couple of busy weekends. It’s classed as a ‘medium’ difficulty by StyleArc and it’s set out in an easy stage by stage approach. Pockets first, inside legs, outside legs, legs together at the crotch, waistband, elastic, hem and job done. (Almost forgot the waist tie!)
I’d say the only tricky thing was working the elastic on the waistband, just because it’s a bit fiddly if your fabric is fluid, and you do need to be careful about where you have the elastic stretched and where it needs to be flat. I used small sewing clips to keep it in place rather than pins for that part as it helps to keep the fabric flat and the elastic in place.
The elasticated part at the back waistband is sewn through with rows of parallel stitching and this gives it almost a ruched appearance and keeps the elastic in place. I find it so annoying when the elastic in your waistband twists in the wash. No fear with the Clare pants – it’s well and truly kept in its place!
I made a size 14 with no modifications and took nothing off the hem – I’m 5’4” and these fit perfectly for 7/8ths style though some of StyleArc’s own reviews say they come up generous- I didn’t find that, but I have eaten a lot of cake recently! You could crop them further or add some length and go for a palazzo pant style.
So in short, comfy wide legs with no faffy zip in a few hours – what’s not to like?
(In these pics I’m wearing my Clare pants with a linen Wiksten Shift top – also a great pattern and a Corrie’s Fancy Goods ceramic button brooch (@ceramic67 on Instagram)
