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Introducing the Jones Trousers

I’m thrilled to introduce the Jones Trousers. These pants have become a staple in my wardrobe since I nailed the design. The pants are designed using zero-waste cutting techniques, leading to an unconventional pattern layout that is fun to sew! Over the past six months, it has been a challenge to tweak the design to include 19 sizes, ranging from 33″(83.8cm) hip to 72″(182.9cm).

I have been searching for my “perfect” pants for a while. I knew what I didn’t like about the ones I already owned and ideas about what my ideal pair should be, but I couldn’t quite seem to find them. A few sewing patterns came close, but there was always a little something missing, something that stopped me from spending my time making them.

My goal when designing these trousers was to create an elevated basic – comfy, everyday pants – that would fill a hole in my wardrobe. I wanted pants that not everyone had. A pair of pants with a little something extra without being over the top. Ease, movement, functionality, and style were key elements that I wished to incorporate. I wanted to feel comfortable bending over, sitting on the floor, going on a walk, or going out to dinner. There were also design elements that I wanted wanted to include, e.g. fitting at the natural waist, with plenty of ease throughout the hips and inverted box pleats to add a bit of drama. Finally, I challenged myself to bring all my ideal details into a zero-waste layout. With these thoughts in mind, I began looking at inspiration in ready-to-wear pants (check out this Pinterest board) and started the design process.

Six months, lots of research and samples later, the Jones Trousers are now a garment you can make. I’m pleased with how these pants have evolved. I can’t believe that I checked all my boxes and I now have pants I can wear effortlessly. I feel good when I wear them, and I can look fancy or casual, funky or professional.

Fabric selection plays a vital role in the final look of the Jones Trousers. A drapey, lightweight fabric (e.g. Tencel Twill – 6oz.) will flow down the waist and around the hips. Because the material has a more fluid drape, the pants will fit closer to the body, and the amount of ease designed into the pants is not as evident. A heavier weight fabric with more structure (e.g. brushed denim – 9oz.) will highlight the shape of the pants more clearly. The ease is more evident because the fabric sits away from your body. A pant made of mid to heavy-weight linen (e.g. 6-7oz) will fall somewhere in the middle.

One of the funnest parts of designing using zero-waste pattern cutting techniques is trying to figure out the little details that can really elevate a garment. For these pants that includes the unique shaped zipper fly, the button loop and eliminates the need to sew a button hole, interior cell phone pocket, and the leg gusset.

My pattern testers did an amazing job of bringing the Jones Trousers to life. They helped bring this pattern to the level that it is at now, pushing me to make it the best possible. I will be sharing their versions over the next few weeks, both on Instagram and the blog.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyones versions of the Jones Trousers. Use the tags #goldfinchjonestrousers #jonestrousers and @goldfinchtextilestudio to share your makes. I love seeing people’s different versions of the pattern. If you have any questions about the pattern please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at emily@goldfinch.limited. Thank you for your support!

12 thoughts on “Introducing the Jones Trousers

  1. I love the pants, and I also love all the tops you are wearing with them. Are they made by you as well? If you don’t mind could you share the patterns you used. Thank you so much! When I feel more confident sewing trousers these are at the top of the list!

    1. I’m so glad you like the trousers! Yes, I did make all the tops. The purple linen one is a test of a sleeve top that I am working on. The hand knit blue one is “Rift” byJacqueline Cieslak Designs and the black is a slightly altered “Strata Top” by Sew Liberated.

  2. I love my Jones trousers, they are really comfortable and have pockets. I can go out and do away with a handbag. Imagine that!!

    There will be more Jones trousers in my future.

    1. I’m so glad that you love them! Big pockets really are a must!

  3. THANK YOU, thank you!! for (finally after too many years of low waisted unflattering ) pants that sit at the waist and have breathing room. And pockets!!! What’s not to love!! Can’t wait to make many pairs. 😊😍

    1. I’m so glad you like them. And yes, it’s so nice to wear something that you can really move in!

      1. Hi, I’m from UK and just wondering what currency I would be purchasing in so I can work out cost in GBP. Thanks

        1. All of my patterns are sold in USD.

  4. Addendum to my last comment. … my mother is dancing in heaven to see no to minimal waste patterns. We used to spend hours laying out and readjusting (sp?) our patterns so that we had 1/8th of an inch left to throw away or enough left over to make a belt or something extra. No waste. I don’t know how to lay out a pattern wastefully. 😻

    1. Thank you, thank you for a great pattern. At the waist pants, after too many years of low waists and unflattering styles, are So welcome. Can’t wait to make many pairs.

      1. You’re welcome! I would love to see your versions!

    2. It can be a bit of a head-scratcher getting all the pieces to fit together like a puzzle, but it is a fun challenge. It sounds like you are familiar with the process.

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