
How does the saying go? Third time’s a charm? Well, how about the fourth time 🙂 These corduroy trousers using Simplicity 8701 prove that if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Once you find a trouser pattern where the fit works for you, then why not use it as your go-to template for multiple makes and change up the design with different pockets, varying fabric weights, waistband shapes, topstitching features etc?
Even when I do work with a different trouser pattern I always refer back to the crotch curve of this pattern because I’ve spent time fitting it to my taste and I know it works well for me. So here we are with another iteration…
The fabric I chose came from Croftmill (Hmmm…I seem to have a bit of a Croftmill addiction don’t I?). It’s the most luxurious velvety corduroy in a lovely rich cream shade. There’s a little bit of stretch in it too, which makes for a comfortable wearing experience (my hips and derriere are very happy in this fabric).


I paid special attention to cutting all my pattern pieces in the same direction on the nap/grain and in this case, I had the grain running up the trousers as it adds a nice bit of richness and depth to the colour. Corduroy can be quite pesky to sew up and I think that the longer the pile on the fabric, the more it can tend to shift and move as you sew. Luckily, this fabric has quite a short pile, but even so, I did a lot of hand-basting and used my walking foot attachment on my machine.
A quick note about pressing. You can often get away with just careful steaming on the wrong side, combined with hand patting/pressing on a lot of fairly short pile corduroys, but I’d recommend practising on scraps first as you don’t want to risk flattening the pile. A longer/lush pile may need a velvet needle board pressing aid. I’m lucky enough to have one that was passed down to me from mum, and I find it invaluable for fabrics like cord and velvet.
I made generously sized patch pockets with curved openings on the front of my trousers. There are three rows of topstitching to highlight the edges (I used two strands of thread and a topstitch needle). I also put a couple of topstitched back pockets on as my flat booty always benefits from a bit of additional bulk and detail 🙂


As always a bit of fun contrasting fabric is nice to add inside interest and I had some scraps of pineapple cotton left over from a previous project so I used that for the zip guard (pity the pineapples are upside down, lol!). I prefer not to use the same fabric as the main trousers because it can add unwanted bulk to my stomach, so I always opt for something lightweight instead.

I already had a pair of cream lightweight denim trousers/jeans for Spring/Summer, but it’s nice to have a thicker pair to wear in Winter because cream tones are a main wardrobe neutral and I’m a great believer in scattering your best neutrals throughout your wardrobe to make outfit creation a breeze. What’s your best/favourite wardrobe neutral?



I really enjoyed this project. There’s something comforting about making up a tried and true pattern isn’t there? And each one looks different in a different fabric and with design tweaks.
I hope you’re enjoying your sewing projects. Why not tell me what you’re working on right now. 🙂
And with that…see you soon!

Hi, Diane:
You make sewing a fly zipper look easy! If you have time, will you do a post about your technique?
Thanks,
Marjorie
Author
Thanks Marjorie. Yeah, there are a few methods around for sewing them but I keep it fairly simple and pick and choose the techniques that I prefer. Whether it’s the best way? Perhaps not but it works for me. I’ll see what I can do xx
Diane, I really enjoy receiving your newsletters. I was looking through your pants projects and was surprised that you have tried so many different patterns. Is it that you are just curious about the pattern and want to try different ones? You are so skillful and I wonder why you would not have selected a go-to pattern or self-draft and just adjust the features? Keep up the sewing! I live vicariously through your projects. ha!
Author
Hi Yvonne. Great question. Well although this is the fourth time that I’ve used this pattern, I guess you’re right, I have tried out quite a few different ones over the years. Sometimes I try out new designs when I’ve been offered a collaboration with a pattern company and other times it’s curiosity and the fact that I’m sure my blog readers like to read about different patterns 😉 . It’s also because I think I was searching for the best fit and finding out what works for me. This Simplicity design has turned out to be the best fit around my hips and around my bottom, I also like the pant rise on myself and if I use a different pattern, I overlay this one to compare the shape.
Hi Diane,
Those cord trousers look GREAT on you! Despite our significant height difference (I’m 1.53 metres), We have similar figure types, so I appreciate a lot of your alterations and details; here, I am referring to the nice pockets to pad the bum a bit and the cotton for your zip guard — I definitely want the fly to be as flat as possible! (My pants also have no front darts and a single dart on each back piece.) Love your triple topstitching detail. Very cute trousers!
Would love to see a fly tutorial, if you’re game for it.
Author
Ahhh, thanks Joan. I thought you might like these trousers 😉 It does seem as though we have the same preferences regarding fit.
Absolutely beautiful with a perfect fit! You are very talented!💐
Author
You’re so kind, thank you Claire!
Great looking pants and inspiration for the cord I purchased at the end of last winter.
I agree the crotch curve is the answer too most of fitting issues with pants and I need to check out your blog to see if you have ever showed a pattern comparison e.g how you use the curve you like against that of another pattern.
Author
Thank you Sharon! Yes, getting the right crotch curve is like discovering the holy grail, hehe! And now you have me trying to remember if I ever showed what my preferred crotch curve shape is and why. If not I’ll pop it into a future post.