culottes for summer time glamour
TRANSCRIPT
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 1
So Sew Easy
Culottes tutorial for summer time glamour
Culottes, one of the most trendy styles of the 50’s and 60’s, are back! Culottes are flared pants or shorts
that can often look like a skirt or a dress when you’re wearing them. Here is another free pattern to add
to your collection of projects for the summer.
“Culotte” is a French word that means the lower part of a garment or knee breeches. They have been
fashionable since Henry III made them popular at court in France in the latter part of the 1500’s and were
worn mostly by the upper class. Later, in the time leading up to the French revolution in 18th century, the
lower classes who wouldn’t have worn culottes became known as “sans culottes” or literally “without
short pants” — a term these partisans and revolutionaries embraced as they manned the street
barricades.
There are two things I really like about this culottes tutorial and pattern –there is a option of adding front
pockets to the pants without adding bulk to the tummy and you can easily transform them into long pants
by adding length at the hem.
You can read more about this pattern over at So Sew Easy HERE.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 2
To print your PDF pattern
Your pattern pieces come at the end of these instructions. For accurate
printing, please make sure you are using the latest version of Adobe Reader.
You can download the latest version here if you need to.
Select File → Print and the print dialogue box opens. Under Page Sizing and
Handling, select ACTUAL SIZE . Check the preview in the right hand side
illustration. Select the page numbers you want to print. You can print the
whole document, or just the pattern pieces.
On the edge of the top left page is a box you can use to test your printing. This
box should measure 2 inches square. If yours is wildly different you will need
to check your printer options to make sure the pages are not being resized.
Use the grey guides on the overlap of the sheets to match up the pattern
pieces, folding under or cutting off any overlaps, tape together and cut out
your pattern pieces.
Also note that you will need to cut two straps at 4 inches by 22 inches, for
which no pattern piece is supplied – it’s just a rectangle! You can draw the
straps on the reverse of your fabric to cut.
Help printing and assembling your pattern
You can find helpful tutorials on how to download, print and assemble PDF sewing patterns here:
How to download and print a PDF sewing pattern
How to print and assemble a PDF sewing pattern
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 3
My choice of fabric is Jacquard Knit. This pattern is for knits only and comes in sizes 6 to 22. The finished garment measurements are printed on the
pattern.
Features
These pants looks like an A-line skirt, or amazing super-elongating silhouette palazzo pants.
A flattering feature in this pattern is the pockets in the front but they are OPTIONAL.
Soft waistband that do not add bulk to the tummy area.
For the girls that do not like to wear pants in summer, this is the perfect style to feel very comfortable and still look like you are wearing a skirt.
5/8″ seam allowance in all pattern pieces.
Materials
1.5 yards of knit fabric. You might want to consider these fabrics.
a ball point needle. We use Schmetz.
stay tape or stretched fusible interfacing.
a sewing machine. We have a good selection in our store.
rotary cutter and mat. Fiskars makes a good one.
a twin needle (optional)
a serger (optional)
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 4
Pattern sizes
These culottes are in size 6 to 22. For finished garments measurements please download the pattern is free!
Pattern pieces
2 Backs
2 Fronts
2 Pockets Front
2 Pockets Back
1 Waistband (not included in the pattern). Please follow instructions on how to cut your waistband.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 5
Directions
1. Download the pattern
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 6
2. Cut the fabric
Use a rotary cutter or very sharp scissors and as many pins or weights as you can so your fabric does not move while cutting. Pay special attention
to the grain on the fabric indicated in your pattern.
3. Sew the pocket
We will start by stabilizing the seam and the opening of the pocket by adding fusible
interfacing or stay tape. This step is a must because this area will stretch and become
baggy if you do not use fusible interfacing.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 7
Place the front pocket piece right side down on the front side of the pats. Prints are
going to be facing each other.
Sew the front pocket side to the front pants using a 5/8″ seam.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 8
Turn the pant piece print side down and pin the seam allowance to the pocket.
Iron and stay stitch the seam allowance to 1/8″ from the seam. Trim the seam
allowance, turn the pocket and iron.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 9
Turn the pocket to the inside of the pants as it is going to hang and make 2 rows of
stitches for decoration and for reinforcing the edge of the pocket. You can use your
twin needle here as well.
For guidance on How to Use a Twin Needle, please follow this guide.
Do the same to the other pocket.
Trim the seam allowance, turn the pocket and iron.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 10
Change your needle to a twin needle and stay stitch on the right side. The use of a
twin needle is optional. To have the same effect without the twin needle just make 2
rows of stitches.
Turn the front side with the pocket you have been working on print side down, place
the back side of pocket on top of the front side of the pocket. Sew around the pocket
at 5/8″.
Zigzag the edges or use the serger. Please note that many knits do not need the edges
to be finished because they do not ravel. If they do, serge them.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 11
4. Assemble the culottes
Sew the 2 fronts together but stop 2 inches from the end.
Sew the 2 fronts together but stop 2 inches from the end.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 12
Sew the sides of the cullotes and finish the seam either with a zigzag or a serger.
Sew the inseam and zigzag the edges or use your serger.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 13
5. Check fitting and add the waistband
The pants at the waist should be close to your hips but not tight. There should be no
gaps between the waistline and your hipbones. Adjust the pants according to your
body, then measure the waist and cut a band 1 to 1.5 inches smaller than the
measurement.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 14
Fold the band in half. Sew the ends at 5/8”.
Fold the band lengthwise in half.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 15
Mark the middle top and bottom by making a small notch with your scissors.
Pin the seam to the band to the seam of the back of the culottes and the center mark
you did before to the front seam of the pants.
Pull the bands to distribute the stretch of the waistband evenly.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 16
Using a small zigzag, stitch sew the waistband to the culottes. If you have a serger you
can finish the seam with it.
Finish the edge with your serger or using a zigzag stitch. And there you have it. Done.
Whether you decide to make the culottes or the palazzo pants you are sure to have an
outfit for many occasions. Team them up with a tank top or pretty blouse and you can
go anywhere.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
Page | 17
Thank you for downloading this pattern and tutorial. I hope you enjoyed making this project and remember that I love to see what you made so do
upload your completed projects to the pattern page on Craftsy.
Keep up with all the latest news and sewing projects at So Sew Easy.
We also have a really great sewing chat group where you can ask questions, share your completed projects, and get 24 hr sewing inspiration. It’s
not just for So Sew Easy projects – you can chat about all sewing there, whether a newbie just starting out, or an advanced and experienced sewer,
there’s something for everyone in the sewing chat group. Join us here.
SEWING CHAT GROUP
For the latest list of both free and paid patterns available, pop on over to my designer page at Craftsy.
This pattern graphic, the photos and the instructions are copy right Mayra Cecilia Morales at So Sew Easy. Please do not copy, publish, sell, redistribute or alter them in any way. Please don’t print and give to your friends, or send it to anyone by email. Please do not rebrand this work as your own and sell or give it away, even if altered. This is intended for your personal use. If you would like to recommend these instructions, please pass on the original download link at So Sew Easy. Thank you for your understanding.
Usage – you ARE allowed to use this pattern to make things to sell on a small handmade basis, such as for craft fairs and for your Etsy shop. However it may not be used for larger scale commercial purposes without a commercial licence.