Linen is the quintessential summer fabric, so when I was asked to check out some of June + Lu’s beautiful selection of linen earlier this summer, I was very excited! This bone colored linen perfectly suits the Coastal Grandmother trend that we are all loving this year, and for me, pants were the way to go. I don’t know why, but anytime I have the opportunity to work with a light, neutral colored linen, you’d be wise to bet your money on me turning it into a pair of wide legged pants of some sort. While I’ve never lived on a coast, nor have I ever been a grandmother, I have been adamant that my wardrobe requires at least 2 pairs of white, beige, or bone colored linen pants at all times.
Without a doubt, these are my favorite ones. The combination of pattern and fabric is such a good match, and I’m not sure I own a more comfortable garment. While the Soline pattern features a paperbag waist that offers some fun style lines and brings these from simple loungewear to elevated trousers, the elastic waist ensures that at the end of the day, you’re really just wearing fancy secret pajamas!
When I began thinking through what I’d make with this fabric, my first idea was to make a two-piece set of some sort. However, as I laid out my pattern pieces it was clear that I was going to have to make a choice – did I sacrifice the full-length pants in my head and opt for shorts in order to get both pieces of a two-piece set? Or did I say goodbye to the top in favor of long pants? I may have given it a moment’s thought, but the choice was clear. Pants. Always linen pants.
The Soline pattern comes in a shorts and culottes version, so I did have to add length to achieve the full length I have here. As a fairly basic, wider legged pant, the shape of the pant leg itself doesn’t change much from thigh to hem, so I simply slashed and spread, no shaping needed. The Soline pattern features a number of really fun design details – three pocket options and a drawstring casing. I cut out a pair of the gusseted pockets, but at the last moment decided I wanted to go fairly simple, and opted out of all of the details.
This choice allowed the fabric to be the star of the show, as it should. This fabric is one of my favorites that I’ve sewn with, and certainly a favorite to wear. A viscose linen slub, the feel of the fabric is heavenly. The cool hand of the viscose, the natural breeziness and breathability of the linen, and the slight slub texture are a really lovely combination. My husband quickly questioned why I chose to make pants in the heat of the summer, but I have now tested them out in 100F+ degree heat on electric bike rides, and I can confirm that they are perfectly lovely to wear. They’re also great over a bathing suit when we head to the pool! June + Lu currently has a number of colors of this fabric, so if I were you, I’d be heading that way right about now to grab up a cut or two!!
Top: handmade by me
Fabric: June + Lu Fabrics – Bone Viscose Linen Slub
Pattern: Staystitch Pattern Co. – Soline Shorts and Culottes (lengthened)
Key Ingredients:
Brother XR9500PRW Sewing Machine
Brother 1034D Overlocker
Dahle 36×48 Self-healing Cutting Mat
Prym Sewing Machine Needles
Gutermann Sew All Polyester Sewing Thread
Thanks for reading my thoughts on this fabric! The fabric used for this post was kindly provided to me by June + Lu Fabrics in exchange for photos of my finished garments and a review of my experience with the fabric, to be posted on social media. The pattern was purchased by me. All words and opinions expressed throughout this post are my own, as always. Links provided throughout this post may be affiliate links – if you choose to purchase any products through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. This simply helps me justify the costs of my sewing habit and the time it takes to share it with you!! Happy Sewing!
- XX Elizabeth
