I'm making as many pants as possible to find the perfect pattern | Reviewing the Brier Pant

[@sandrataylor7252]

Trousers are on my Learn to Make list this year so realky enjoyed your video and am keen to see what's next! I am planning to nake the I Am Patterns 'Nout' , the Merchant & Mills ''Evie', Liesl & Co 'Peckham', Sew Over It 'Carrie' and the Midern Sewing Co ' Worker' trousers. 🤞

[@traceyking5015]

I’m very excited you’re on this quest! I would LOVE to find the perfect pants pattern. Can’t wait to see what you discover. I’m going to try those Briar pants next. Thank you so much!

[@MakingCassie]

Yay hope you love them!

[@jilliankonig2759]

The reason the pocket sits out is to let you get your hand in it. You can pull the excess into the waistband, but it will make it harder to put your hand in the pocket. I was told back in the '80s by a custom pants maker that pants look perfect either standing up or sitting down (the rise has a lot to do with this).

[@MakingCassie]

I do have pants that have room for hands without gaping like this! I think slash pockets in general are notorious for sticking out though 😅

[@kristiheiser5012]

Thanks for the video Cassie. My most successful pant make so far has been the Ann Tilley Magic pants. They are very comfortable with deep pockets with an adjustable waistband with an interior knit panel. I would recommend having a look. Her instructions are excellent and step you through their unique construction. She also has sew along videos for them!

[@MakingCassie]

Oh interesting! I haven’t heard of these!

[@latelierdemolly]

If you cut the slant of the pocket on the straight grain instead of the bias maybe that will stop the pockets from stretching out

[@MakingCassie]

Oh interesting !

[@latelierdemolly]

@@MakingCassie I’ve never made this kind of pocket but it seems like that could happen!

[@racheldonner233]

I’ve been seeing the just my luck jeans around a lot and they are being hyped up for amazing instructions!

[@MakingCassie]

I actually bought these but I’m nervous about the style of them 😆

[@sewmytroublesaway]

I just got the Helene jeans but haven't dug in yet. The Briars are on my list too. Really looking forward to your pants quest!

[@MakingCassie]

The Helene look so good but I’ve been nervous about making them because of the millions of adjustments I’ve seen people make

[@sewmytroublesaway]

@MakingCassie oh no! I guess my pants fitting skills will be put to the test! 😬 Eeekkkkk

[@JasmineMcCandless]

loved this video! I want to watch a longer sewing vlog as well, I’d love to follow you through every step, I’d definitely learn a lot!

[@MakingCassie]

It’s not totally my style to document every step like a sew along, but I definitely plan to do longer sewing vlogs

[@AudreyMoss]

Ooh, I love seeing this! The Coes are on my list as I revisit my goal of making hard pants this year, but maybe I'll go with the Brier? tbd...

[@MakingCassie]

You can’t go wrong with either but I did find the Brier easier to sew

[@innertubechamp]

My most sewn pant pattern is the Helene jeans, I know they aren't everyone's favourite but I've had the most success when staying true to their intended fit (a looser, heritage-style jean with lots of drag lines) rather than trying to fit them perfectly to the bod. As a result, they're not the most "flattering," but I find them super comfortable and I love being able to fully utilize selvage denim! I have the DJ Worship jeans pattern cut out for my next project, would love to see you review those too. :)

[@MakingCassie]

I’ve been curious about the worship jeans, but I do own the Helene! Just nervous about the fit because I’ve heard a lot of different complaints about them

[@merisyates5281]

I’ve made the Arthur Curved Pants by Sew Liberated and I love them! These work well with a thicker and less drapery fabric like denim.

[@MakingCassie]

These are on my list!

[@janfranklin2114]

Do the instructions call for adding stabilizer to the pocket?

[@MakingCassie]

I don’t believe so!

[@emipark210]

My favorite pants pattern is the Modern Sewing Co. Worker Trousers. I use that waistband on all of my pants.

[@MakingCassie]

I’ve been curious about this one!

[@riittatammi1149]

I’ve also sewed two pairs of these. The first pair was a wearable toile, and for the second pair I didn’t have to change anything besides grading between the waist and hip. Usually I have to do all sorts of seat adjustments but I was amazed that the fit of these was almost perfect 👌

[@elizabethgardner6832]

Great review. I think I'll try the Brier Pant. Patterns that I've sewn already are the Megan Nielsen Dawn Jeans, Closet Core Pietra pants, and True Bias Dani Pant. I usually prefer the wide-leg versions if available. The straight leg Dawn Jeans required a lot of fitting for me, so I don't think I'll try that version again. I didn't have many fitting issues with the Dawn Jeans wide leg, but did grade out at the waist. With the Dani pants, I made the shorts with the fly front. I considered making the longer version but the legs are too tapered for me. I've made the Pietras three times. On my first pair, I added length to the rise since I'm long waisted. However, that was a mistake because they are already very high waisted. Looking forward to seeing which pants pattern you choose next!

[@MakingCassie]

Thanks, I think the Brier is a great choice!

[@madypennisi4823]

Will definitely follow. Very helpful.

[@MakingCassie]

Thanks! I hope you find this series useful.

[@Cairn9]

Seriously so awesome you're doing this series. I'm also on the hunt for a good pant pattern. We have similar measurements and i just made a muslin of the morgan jeans from closet core. I dont recommend! The rise was way too low and the thighs were so tight. Gonna have to make a ton of adjustments. I'm really interested in the Langston Trousers by French Navy. Gonna add the brier pant to my list!

[@MakingCassie]

I recommend the Brier!

[@merisyates5281]

Another pattern I love is the Guise Pants by Papercut Patterns. Because the back half of the waistband is elastic, it gives a lot of room in case you’re ever bloated. I think the base pattern is made for someone whose 5’6”-5’7”, so I normally have to cut a few inches of the bottom when I hem them

[@MakingCassie]

Great point about the elastic back!

[@heyspeckle8782]

Daughter Judy's pants patterns are magical, I only have to do slight adjustments. I've tried Burda patterns in the past and have wasted so much fabric because I could never get them to fit right

[@MakingCassie]

Yeah her block really works for me!

[@kat_thefruitbat]

You did an amazing job, and they look super nice on you!! 🥳👏 You have the same iron as me- it’s really great, isn’t it?? 😃 It could be worth it to check the pattern maker’s website to see if they’ve updated the Coe trouser instructions since you bought it! If so, you could definitely show your purchase confirmation and ask for the updated instructions- maybe that would make it a better experience to sew another pair of them! ❤

[@MakingCassie]

I think I have updated instructions for Coe that I’ll reference for the next pair! And yesss I just got this iron and I love it!

[@LauraSomeNumber]

I am currently making my 3rd pair of the California Pants from Atelier Scammit, they were my first pair of pants so it was a big jump, I have been sewing for less than two years and while the choice of fabric in the pictures is annoying and I am technically outside the size range I love them. I made the first pair in a 10oz 100% cotton denim and made the rise higher which turned out to be unnecessary as the were too high they are still great. The second pair were in a corduroy that turned out to be a terrible quality and kept ripping. Both of those I was surprised that the waist band was too small but I have since learned it was because I tried them on before putting the waistband on which stretches them and I had to cut new waist bans for both. I am now on my 3rd pair which will be a light 100% cotton denim and will include a full tummy adjustment which is the first time I am doing that adjustment and the first time I am using rivets. I would be very curious to see you make them.

[@MakingCassie]

I’ll check them out!

[@christinenielsen8142]

I just made the Coe trousers & really like, Brier or Adams (also by DJ) might be next on my list. The Crooked Hem has a good blog post about fitting the Coes that I found really helpful - she talks specifically about gaping pockets & how to address with pocket stays and/or adjusting fit through the hip. Check it out! I ended up adjusting the pockets on my Coes to get secured into the fly construction, and I’m not having gaping. Will be following for your updates on this - perfect pants are a white whale for sure! Thx!

[@MakingCassie]

That is so helpful, thank you for sharing!

[@RobynJensen-d2w]

Pietra pants, I have made all variations it comes with, and have easily modded the pattern nearly a dozen times for myself to try different styles (removed elastic, button fly, tie up waist, gathered/tiered legs, etc)

[@MakingCassie]

I’ve made these and don’t love them for me but they work for a lot of people!

[@sharks2571]

I would love to see videos on the pomona pants and dawn jeans

[@MakingCassie]

I’ve sewn both! Great patterns

[@allisonyaguchi7177]

The Mitchell Pants from Closet Core Patterns! Also the Olive Pant from Ora Lin Patterns.

[@allisonyaguchi7177]

I wonder the pockets are gaping because your waist to hip have enough difference to facilitate that. Maybe you can make them a scoop shape pocket front instead of a straight slant; might also resolve itself once you shorten the rise.

[@MakingCassie]

I think slash pockets in general tend to cause issues but those are good points!

[@becksinbits]

Im curious about the new-ish Merchant & Mills Juno... Will i be drowned in fabric as a shortee person?!

[@MakingCassie]

Ohhhh those are cute! I like the look of the protea pants for a wide leg pant with less volume

[@becksinbits]

Just looked at the Protea... Good call 👌

[@sewingbiscuit]

Do you usually sew the pants rise with no adjustments on other patterns, like the Coe Trousers or Rika pants? I recently made pants that I quite like (Maison Fauve Hussard) but found the rise to be too high when I'm sitting, just like you described. But, I'm more petite than any of the patterns are drafted for so I think I'm going to add shortening the rise into my usual set of adjustments.

[@MakingCassie]

I don’t usually have to shorten the rise. I’m only 5’3” but usually find most high rises to be quite comfy!

[@ingearnott8409]

I've really been liking the Allotment Pants! I've made a couple of pairs now and I find the silhouette to be really nice, I'm constantly reaching for them. The only thing I will say is that the instructions aren't quite as great as I'd want them to be - there are a couple of steps particularly around the hem facing that I did slightly differently to the pattern instructions such as pressing the seam allowances before attaching the facing rather than after like the instructions say to but overall it's a really solid pattern and I'd rate it a 4.5/5!

[@MakingCassie]

Oh that’s a nice pattern, I hadn’t seen it before!

[@moirasmith7958]

Magic Pants by ann tilley!

[@MakingCassie]

This is a new one to me!

[@putalijen]

I'm a big fan of the Butress jeans from Allie Olsen.

[@MakingCassie]

It looks like such a cool pattern!

[@kyleeburgess2420]

I'm going to make Helene jeans by Anna Allen Clothing soon. Would love to see you make them as well!

[@MakingCassie]

I'll check it out! I’ve been a bit nervous about this pattern because the measurements are quite different from mine!

[@amberfisher]

This is also my goal of 2025 so I’m stoked about this.

[@MakingCassie]

Yay!

[@silverluna8835]

Check out Sinclair patterns pants.

[@MakingCassie]

Thanks!

[@bohemiansusan2897]

I'm not impressed by Daughter Judy Coe trousers. Will have to do a lot of adjustments the next time I make them. The rise is too high for me. This year I'm going to tackle pants. I been thinking of McCall as M8473 as a wardrobe staple. Will have to do a toile first and then draft my permanent pattern from that. By permanent, I mean make the pieces from tagboard. I don't like the cropped length in pants. That is a matter of preference so mine always reach below the ankle bone or an inch from the floor when barefoot. I will do the Co Trouser in tagboard in the future after making several adjustments. I wish you luck in your quest. Thank you for sharing.

[@MakingCassie]

Ah yeah, I think pants are so individual. Her block works really well for me but it’s not for everyone

[@bohemiansusan2897]

@MakingCassie I've yet to ever find pants that are close to my needs. I still haven't figured out WHY my rectangular figure with a flat butt never fits into pants well. No issues if I buy ready to wear but never lucky with patterns. I want to have some things made from 14 or 16 oz stretch denim.

[@RobynJensen-d2w]

Pietra pants, I have made all variations it comes with, and have easily modded the pattern nearly a dozen times for myself to try different styles (removed elastic, button fly, tie up waist, gathered/tiered legs, etc)

[@MakingCassie]

I’ve made these and they don’t quite work for me but I love them on others!