Hello! I hope your week is going well. Today I’m doing a complete outfit reveal of what I’ll be wearing to the Dressmakers Ball on March 22nd…And I feel very glam!
These palazzo pants are pairing up with the lace top that I first showed you here and I love how they look together, it’s just how I imagined (love it when that happens). The lovely flowy ivory micro-pleated fabric came from White Lodge Fabric. I’ve never used them before but I was really pleased with the quick service. I’m not really sure how well it shows up in the photos, but my fabric actually has a silvery shimmer coating all over the surface and it picks up so well on the silver strands that run through the lace of my top. Surprisingly, this is a knit fabric and when it arrived I realised that the pleats ran across the width and not down the length. Thankfully it wasn’t a problem as I had enough to cut my pieces out on the cross-grain so that the pleats ran vertically on my pants. Oh, and by the way, this type of fabric and colour are very on trend for Spring 2019 🙂
So the pattern I’ve used here is Vogue 8866, which is actually out of print. It’s possible that it can be tracked down on eBay, Etsy or Amazon though. I managed to find my copy on Amazon and I’d originally bought it for the top which has some unusual sleeve and shoulder seaming. Anyway, I digress…it was the wide legged pants pattern that I chose to use because I loved the clean lines and minimal design details so that my fabric could be the star.
There are just four main pattern pieces plus waistband facing and they actually fasten at the back with a concealed zip down the centre seam. I’ve never worn or made pants with a back fastening but it turns out that it’s fine and I love the clean finish that it gives.
Talking of finishes…I’ve fully-lined these pants from top to bottom. The pleated fabric is a little bit sheer so a lining is very necessary. I’ve used a ‘Venezia’ lining from Stone Fabrics. It’s a lovely acetate blend that feels divine to wear and is breathable and anti-static. Yes, it’s a bit dearer than regular poly linings but is so worth it.
I completely made up the lining and then basted it to the main fabric at the waistline before attaching the facings, so my lining goes right to the top giving a smooth finish. To prevent the waistline from stretching out I’ve also stitched a narrow tape along the seam allowance where the facings attach. I like how I can just catch the facings in place to the lining and I don’t have extra seams showing through by using this method.
Nothing Ever Goes to plan
Now, it’s at this point that I should mention that this project actually drove me a little bit crazy…well specifically, the pleated fabric did.
My first hurdle was finding a machine needle that would stitch without skipping stitches. I tried ballpoints, stretch, sharps, thick, thin…you name it… In the end, what worked was a standard universal needle size 80. Who knew? I think what was causing problems was the shimmer foil coating and the fine texture of my fabric. The needles wouldn’t pass through it cleanly.
Once I had the needles sussed I thought the sewing would be fine and it would be a quick make. Wrong! I ended up re-stitching the hips and waist a few times because it turns out that this fabric keeps growing in width as the pleats relax out. I seriously feel like I made my pants twice!
So, I finally got to the end of my project and then it came to deciding on a hem finish. My old friend procrastination joined me as I dithered about how to go about it. I ended up asking on Instagram Stories and after a few very helpful DM’s I settled on using a narrow overlocked roll hem.
More dithering ensued though, as I settled on a length (because once it’s cut off it ain’t going back on!) The roll hemming worked a treat though and I love the delicateness of it. If I’d done standard turned up, hand-stitched hems I was imagining me catching a shoe heel in them and tripping up…not really the kind of look I was after!
Despite the trials and tribulations that I went through, I love my palazzo’s. They feel so lovely to wear, are super comfy and oh so swishy! Basically, I just want to swish and glide about in them all day whilst sipping cocktails or draping over a chaise longue whilst gazing out to sea….mmmm.
And with that thought, I’ll say thanks for reading and I’ll catch you soon. Oh and if you’re going to the ball too, I’ll see you there.
See you soon!
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I love this whole outfit, it’s so elegant and dreamy. Another triumph!
Author
Thank you so much Sue! I feel dreamy in it too 🙂
I look forward to seeing the silver shimmery pants!! Your comment about them growing as you sewed made me laugh. I am guilty of constantly underestimating the time it takes to make a project, but I can imagine that you would have been thoroughly sick of it by the time you got to the hemming after re-sewing the waist and making up a full lining! At least they are done and they look fab x
Author
Oh, me too Kate…always underestimating how long something will take to make!I’m so glad I finally finished these pants! And thank you!
Oh, I love the look of the pants! Totally worth the agony if you ask me:) I struggled with a Fabric lately that had sequins embedded in the weave and couldn’t find the right needle either. So glad perseverance won the day because the pants are fabulous!
Author
Thanks, Linda! Oh gosh, that fabric of yours sounds like a challenge!
Fabulous pants and certainly worth the trials and tribulations of making.
Author
Thank you, Chris! I’m so pleased with how they turned out 🙂
Oh my goodness, these are amazing!! I love the fabric, and the rolled hem is perfect. Also, your posts are showing fine for me on Bloglovin.
Author
Thanks so much Lynne! Ah, yes, well as you know from our messaging on Instagram, all is not actually well with Bloglovin’ and my red dress post was missed completely, so I’m losing page views 🙁
Ultra glamorous!! You look fabulous Diane!! Those pants…..!!!! 🙂
Author
Oh wow, thanks so much, Lisa! xx