I've casually sought a straight leg, super stretchy fabric pant pattern for several years now, and realized that Jalie's 3461 Eleonore might be the answer to my prayers (same as several StyleArc patterns). Mostly because jeans are the piece to wear down here, but it is far too hot to do so ... and they never fit anyway. (And it is super easy to remove the jean design lines from this pattern if you just want a basic stretch woven pant.)
Unsurprisingly, Eleonore snuck into my cart while placing a recent Jalie order.
What
adjustments did you make? And why?
The usual –
sway back
The
unusual -
1) Widened the legs by 1" ... except at the lower thigh, where it jumped to 2.5" or so. I am not the fit model!
2) The side seams near the waist were warped to the back, in a funny U shape. I straightened that out in the second trial.
1) Widened the legs by 1" ... except at the lower thigh, where it jumped to 2.5" or so. I am not the fit model!
2) The side seams near the waist were warped to the back, in a funny U shape. I straightened that out in the second trial.
Pattern
appreciation(s)?
Gush, gush, gush. These are comfortable, move with me (I can practice handstand with these), and have a great crotch curve for those of us blessed in the glutes department.
Pattern
disgruntlement(s)?
Um ... well ... I had to add my own pockets. Jalie gave us patterns for fake pockets, why not give us the option for real pockets as well? (grumble, grumble)
What body does
this pattern fit (in your estimation)?
Bootylicious gals with average size legs.
Would you buy
this pattern again?
Heck yes. I'm planning an entire stable of these puppies.
Leg Width and Ease - The muslin of these did fit, but I found them tight. I assumed the tightness was due to my muscular calves, which measure 16" around (the pant was 15" in circumference from knee down). I've never found a skinny (nor usually even a straight legged) RTW pant that fits. They ALWAYS sausage my calves, which feels and looks weird.
I proceeded to measure upper thigh, lower thigh, and calf to compare body to pattern. And lo and behold, I found out that my lower thigh is much larger than the pattern! I am proud of my muscles, and this was an interesting experience to find out where their bulk rests (at least compared to the Jalie fit model). Apparently my vastus medialis are more developed than some.
From crotch to hem, I widened each seam by 1/4" ... except for the lower thigh, which I widened by a bit over 1/2". This brought the pant from negative ease to 0% ease. I am not a fan of skintight.
Sway back - I chose to take my sway back adjustment out of the pant back, rather than out of the yoke. I preferred not to narrow the jean yoke.
Fabric - A bengaline from Hancock's. I ordered grey (muslin), orange, and brown. Perhaps the bright color fashions finally caught up with me too?
Today was their first wear out in public, but certainly not the last. I appreciate that these go together lightning fast. And they were almost comfortable in our high 90s temps.
This is a Mary Poppins pattern, practically perfect in every way (at least for me).
