They’re a bit so-so, and I blame the fabric. I think I mentioned that I had already tried some fitted trousers in this fabric before that were unsuccessful. These are much improved but still have their faults, most of them I can live with for a casual pant.
The fabric is from that era of hi-tech fabrics, and is a polyester/viscose/polyamide/elastane twill (I think that’s right – I’m going back a few years in my memory with that detail so don’t trust me on that 100%). My first attempt was looser, and turned out rather balloony/puffy if you know what I mean. I totally unpicked them because I decided this fabric needs to be tight to be successful in a trouser – something I was trying to avoid at my age! The fabric has about 10% stretch and the recovery isn’t great, as you can see by the knees and seat after a day’s work:
Being a close fitting trouser the knees are wrinkly in that jeans-sort-of-way anyway, and to be honest it is not that bad in real life. This fabric has a nylon sheen that loves to show off it’s wrinkles to the camera! Oh well, it is certainly of more use made up as a pair of trousers, than stuck on a roll under the bed collecting dust!
I like wearing them with my little pink jacket that I wear a lot at this time of year, and they will look cool with my current project-that-I-can’t-wait-to-finish in vintage teal mohair:
Let’s get down to the details – there is a side invisible zip, and the waist is bound with a button and loop:
And the hems are stitched, with little side seam splits:
What else? Mmm, I overlocked the seams:
As you can see, there are not many details…
In fact simple black stretch capris are pretty boring, but I’ve worn these so much already that I don’t know how I lived without them! I think in a better fabric these will be great for summer in navy, and red, and stone, and maybe a fun colour too – orange? – suggestions welcome!
pattern scissors cloth 
Wow, Such beautiful work for fabric you didn't even like. They look fine otherwise, and if they're comfy, even better. Wear on!
I don't care for orange myself, but love my turquoise pants. Or how about lime? Let us know. And thank you once again.
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These are a lovely style and of course the fit is wonderful. They would look good in any colour! The vintage teal mohair is beautiful, will be interested to see what you are making in that too.
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great looking capri pants – glad you are getting a lot of wear out of them – I too look forward to seeing what you make from the vintage teal mohair.
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Did you make the cute little jacket? I like the flare of it with the fitted pants.
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It looks very nice:) the combination is also very nice. I cant think of myself starting off with capris now LOL. I love the color and design of your jacket.Clicks.
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Black capri's are always useful, even if they aren't as exciting to sew as a dress or a jacket. In fact, I have a pattern and the cloth to make some myself, but I just keep putting it off. I don't look forward to the muslin and all the adjustments.
I hope I have the right fabric. You are right, subtle differences in stretch fabrics make a huge difference and it is hard to muslin for that.
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Thanks Anne! I do like the fabric very much, but it is probably better made up as a jacket – what I had originally planned!
I guess my colour choice will depend strictly on fabric availability!
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Thanks! The teal mohair is salvaged from a 50's coat – such fun!
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I'm wearing them right now in fact!
OK – the mohair is going to be a jacket, and is currently in the bound buttonhole procrastinatory stage…
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Yes I did – there is a link to the pink jacket post hiding there somewhere in blue!
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The capris look great Sherry. But I really WANT the teal mohair lol. Can't wait to see what you do with it.
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I so admire the quality of your sewing.
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The trousers look great, but what I really love is that little pink jacket. It's stunning!
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It's it great to make an item that you love wearing. These are lovely.
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The trousers look good. I really like the overall combo with pink jacket. Well done..love your blog…
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Nice work, Sherry! I love the little side seam splits, and agree – finding the 'right' fabric for pants is probably the toughest fabric challenge I've had to deal with yet. I'm loving the colour of that mohair – and am looking forward to seeing what it turns into 🙂
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Capris are on my must have list for spring. I have seen some really nice cotton strech florals around that I so want. I do need a pair of boring black as well though!
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The trousers look great on you. Very flattering. Bravo!
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Wow- the details are so well executed and they fit so well- I'd 2nd lime as an idea!
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I think they are really cool, and they look fabulous with the pink jacket.
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I'd love to know how you did that side seam split at the hem… hint, hint 😉 Great basic and I LOVE your pink jacket!
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I think these look great & the details really show off some mad skills! Really lovely! 🙂 That mohair is something special – it'll be fun to see what it turns into 🙂
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Great trousers…. X
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They look great 🙂 I really like your colour ideas, navy, red and stone!
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Great pants. I love their fit and simplicity.
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Sweet tap dancing generic deity that is a cool combo. Really like that style on you. Very excited about the teal thing-I love that colour XD
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Love your pants, fabric is so hard to come by in NZ, I wish Global Fabrics was closer! the waistband is so neat, a problem I can't master without it looking homemade, maybe a tutorial? Such a wonderful site, thanks for sharing!
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These are lovely pants and I particularly like the hem detail. Mine have taken ages to finish simply because they're not a glamorous or exciting garment, but I suspect that like you I'll find them an invaluable addition to the wardrobe.
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These capris look great, very Roman Holiday 🙂 and of course the fit and your finishing details are as superb and as inspiring as always. Thanks for showing the close ups of those ankle slits, this is a really cute detail.
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I remember this kind of fabric well, in trousers. It was genius for making one's butt look good. I bet you'll get a lot of wear out of these simply for comfort and that they just go with everything! I love the little narrow waistband detail–do you curve that or is it straight?
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