Hello friends!
It’s always fun to introduce you to our new sewing patterns. The Peckham Women’s Trousers pattern is one I’ve been wanting to do for a while. It’s a classic trouser with zipper fly, angled front pockets, welt back pockets, and a straight leg plus a special waistband that expands to make them really comfortable so you can wear them anywhere. But I particularly love that it includes all those little details that make classic trousers classic. I’ll tell you more about them below.
This pattern is designed for fabrics with a little bit of stretch. Inside the waistband, we’ve hidden elastic near the side seams that allows the waistband to expand when needed. That way, the trousers look great but are also comfortable, and you can wear them around the house just as easily as sweatpants. And of course you can wear them everywhere else, too. They would be great for professional and dressy as well as casual, so it was tempting to call them the Go Everywhere Trousers.
The pattern includes a classic zipper fly and slant front pockets.
And I always love back welt pockets, so here they are.
I made this pair with a metallic jacquard that doesn’t have any stretch at all, so you can definitely use non-stretch fabrics. But I recommend fabric with at least a little stretch for this style. You’ll be a lot more comfortable, and that’s what this pattern is all about.
Here’s a quick little video where I talk you through the details.
For styling and fabric inspiration, here are a few images I liked. Since this is such a classic style, you could consider making some wardrobe basics. A tropical-weight wool could be worn for almost all seasons, plus it breathes and it doesn’t wrinkle. A cotton twill would also be nice, or a trouser-weight sateen. And for fall and winter the subtle texture of these fabrics is really nice, isn’t it?
Did you notice that soft pink stripe at the side seams of the photo above, right? It’s like a play on the classic tuxedo stripe, which I love. Here are some more, below. Think of it as a racing stripe, if you will. I think it would be a great addition to this trouser, and it would be so easy to do! I’ll try to give you a tutorial one of these days. I also really like the color-blocked details on the trouser below, right, which makes them a lot less formal and would be a great way to use up some fabric scraps. Not to mention that they’re just fun, right?
But you could have a lot of fun with big prints, too, so don’t limit yourself! I especially love this black and white print, below right, and I keep looking for something similar for myself. Why is it so hard to find fabrics like this?
You can find more inspiration ideas and photos in our Liesl + Co Peckham Women’s Trousers Pinterest folder. You can purchase your own copy of the Peckham Women’s Trousers pattern in paper or digital format now. We hope you’ll share your photos with us on social media, and you can make it easy to find them by tagging them #peckhamtrousers and #lieslandco.
We’ll be showing you lots more of this style, so stay tuned!
This looks like a great pattern! I have looked for a pattern that has a bit of stretch around the waist to allow for those days when you, just need a little more room.”
what is the intended rise on these please? I like this pattern but prefer high waisted, they look lower though tia
The rise is on the higher side, but not very high. If you tell me what size you’re making I can give you a finished rise length.
Thank you, if pants and skirts are not obviously high waisted it can be hard to judge on another’s body (for the untrained eye). I make a size 4 in your ‘bottom’ patterns and usually need a back rise increase for any pants. They look perfect on you 🙂
The total rise, with waistband, on the size 4 is 25.25″. I usually lengthen the rise when I sew for myself, but I didn’t on these trousers.
I too would like to make these with a higher rise (mine measures 26.75″ with no ease). What’s the drafted rise for a size 2? And what would I need to do to lengthen the rise? Thank you!
The rise on the size 2 would be slightly shorter than the size 4, probably about 1/2″. And you can easily lengthen or shorten the rise by following the same concept as demonstrated in this tutorial. As always, I’d recommend making a muslin first. https://oliverands.com/community/blog/2010/02/lengthening-and-shortening-a-pattern.html
I am having an awful time figuring out the right and wrong sides of facings, pocket bags, pockets, pocket linings. I think it would be helpful if you said “Piece 3” instead of pocket lining, or “Piece 5, which is particularly confusing because it is called Front Pocket Bag, as well as Pocket Lining. I have done some fairly complicated pieces over the years, but I’m at a loss with these pockets.
Also, the guide for linings, facings, fabric’s right and wrong sides doesn’t match up with the instructions. I’m almost ready to scrap the pockets altogether, but I really want them!
I’m very sorry if the instructions are confusing! To clarify, there are three pocket pieces: the front pocket, front pocket facing, and the front pocket bag. I think we’ve referred to them by name consistently, and the illustrations should help if you’re getting lost. But please tell me if there is a specific place where you’re unsure so I can clarify. The facing gets attached to the front pocket, and after that the front pocket is the last piece you’ll attach to the trousers. The Front pocket bag is the part that’s sewn to the front trousers to form the slanted pocket itself. Cheers!
Thank you so much for your response. As usual, the problem was “user error”, not your instructions! My bad.
I remain confused about how much zipper should extend above the waistline before the waistband is attached, and whether any of what extends should include the zipper coils or just the fabric tab.
I’ll be scrapping my toile, because I will definitely need the flat butt adjustment, but I do intend to try again.
Hi Janet, Glad we could clarify! With regard to the zipper, you can cut it to be flush with the edge of the seam allowances at the top of the waistband. Just be sure the zipper is unzipped and the zipper tape is basted or stitched down at the top edge so you don’t accidentally close the zipper and lose the zipper pull!
Hello, I am making these in a kind of double knit, I don’t think it’s ponte (I bought it years ago), but it is rather thick. I am wondering about all the layers around the fly. For the fly shield, can I cut that in the lining fabric?