Why wear blue jeans when you could wear soft blue harem pants instead?

I have really enjoyed having these pants in my wardrobe. I was inspired by a similar pair of pants that I bought from Uniqlo many years ago, and I knew that construction would be simple. Once I had a basic elastic-waist pants pattern (Simplicity 8134) and the right fabric (from Fiber Snob in Santa Rosa), it was time to bring this idea to life.

I almost always add pockets to patterns that don’t already have them, because why go without pockets? On patterns like this one with a waistband, it was pretty easy to add slant pockets (following a tutorial from By Hand London). With a few other simple modifications — shortening the pants leg, tapering it slightly, and gathering the ankle with elastic — the pants were done and ready to wear. Although I made them ankle-length on purpose, to copy the Uniqlo inspiration, the next time I make these I think I’ll make them full length for a more voluminous look.

One aspect of these pants took me by surprise, and in retrospect I should have anticipated it: the loose weave of the fabric caused some wear in high-stress areas, like the seat. No problem: I mended the weakened area with some careful hand sewing, and the pants should last for some time to come.