Nara Pants for Fall (and a Giveaway!)

This past summer, when I was in Denver, I stopped into Fancy Tiger Crafts, “just for a minute”. My minute turned out to be longer (and more expensive) than I expected, because I got a chance to chat with a real sewing celebrity (read the full story here!), and managed to find quite a bit of fabric that I “needed” desperately. It was Fancy Tiger y’all- how could I possibly resist?

One of the fabrics I picked up was this gorgeous lightweight scuba knit that had just hit the shop. I hadn’t the slightest idea what I would do with it, but the combination of rich colors and fall foliage had me dreaming of sipping of hot cocoa while the kids ran through the neighbor’s leaf pile, and I couldn’t put it down (despite the hefty price tag!). Two yards landed on the cutting table, and when we arrived home it sat front and center until last week, begging me to become a project. Turning it into something was trickier than it seemed, however- the fabric was lightweight, with minimal stretch, and really needed a pattern that was meant for woven fabrics, despite its knit heritage.

When I saw the new Nara pants from Coffee and Thread, I knew the time had come to grab it off the shelf. I tend to go to extremes in my pants- either I want something 100% fitted, like a pair of leggings or  skinny jeans (see my post on sewing the Closet Case Files Ginger Jeans here), or I want something so loose in the legs I could stuff a dozen turkeys up there, and still have room to move (like the Samara pants, here). These pants fall into the latter category, and though they aren’t quite as wide legged as the Samara pants, they do flow nicely and pair perfectly with fitted tops or loose cardigans (or both!).

The Nara pants also feature handy scoop pockets, a flat front or fully gathered elastic waistband, and an optional belt or front tie.

I did a mashup of the two views, cutting the waistband in two pieces (for the flat front option), but wove my elastic all the way through the waistband, stitching through it in the back for the gathered look, but leaving it un-stitched in the front.

My original intention was to have a plain flat front (like in view A), but I ended up needing to tighten the elastic beyond what the width of the back could accommodate without creating too much puffiness, so I decided to pass the elastic all the way through. I also shortened them 2″ at the lengthen shorten line, and another 1″ at the hem- the straight cut makes it easy to make last minute adjustments after a final try-on before hemming.

I ran out of fabric for cutting the ties (that’s what I get for purchasing something without a project in mind), but a cute belt will go just as well when I  wear them with a fitted top. I also left off the belt loops, but I’m regretting that now, so I may go back and add them- they don’t take much time, and lend a more professional and finished look.

Overall, despite my impromptu adjustments and omissions, I love these pants, and find them extremely comfortable (and perfect for those big holiday meals, where the elastic waist will come in handy!). They’re also a really satisfying quick sew, since they don’t have any darts or zippers- just grab some elastic, thread and fabric, and you’ll have your own pair whipped up for the fall festivities in no time!

Andddd….I just so happen to have a copy to give away! To enter, please leave a blog or Instagram comment- I’ll be choosing a winner Friday- in plenty of time for you to get started on your own pair in time for Thanksgiving (or Halloween- I’m almost more tempted by my kids’ leftover candy than I am that turkey stuffing!). If you want to catch the pattern on sale for release, you can find it here!

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76 Comments

  1. Tracie on October 22, 2019 at 8:09 pm

    I love your site. What a marvelous pair of pants, your fabric choice, awesome! You are an inspiration, thank you for your blog and videos, I am back to sewing and all those knits, yum! I learned knit necklines with your video, thank you!

    • Sarah on October 25, 2019 at 8:04 pm

      Thank you Tracie! Your comment made my day!

  2. Debora VanHamlin on October 23, 2019 at 4:29 am

    Your pants are super cute Sarah! The fabric really does make them look like autumn.

  3. N. MacGregor on October 23, 2019 at 4:32 am

    Love your new pants. The fabric you selected is beautiful and works well with the flowing/loose style of the pant legs. I think your new pants would look amazing combined with a jean jacket (perhaps cropped style).
    BTW – I would love to enter my name for the draw/contest for pattern you use to make the pants you featured in this post.

  4. Susan on October 23, 2019 at 5:18 am

    These are beautiful! This pattern wasn’t on my radar but now I think I might need it…

  5. Cori Thonen on October 23, 2019 at 6:38 am

    I love how free flowing and professional these look!

  6. Jennifer Jeremiah on October 23, 2019 at 7:37 am

    These are so gorgeous!! I love the paperbag sytle waistband too!–with belt loops and tie and ankle length! They look dreamy!

  7. Danae E on October 23, 2019 at 7:39 am

    These pants look amazing!

  8. kim madewell on October 23, 2019 at 7:41 am

    I like the pants version without the tie!! Very cute!

  9. Emily on October 23, 2019 at 7:42 am

    Love how yours turned out! I’d love to try them full length with the flat front, but I love the belted view too!

  10. dee on October 23, 2019 at 7:45 am

    Great pants! They look so comfortable. Thanks for sharing the alteration details.

  11. Bree on October 23, 2019 at 7:46 am

    These are my favourite pair that I’ve seen! Love the colors.

    • Amy on October 23, 2019 at 5:31 pm

      I love these!

  12. Hannah on October 23, 2019 at 7:48 am

    I just love these!

  13. Juliana on October 23, 2019 at 7:53 am

    Beautiful!! That fabric is everything!

  14. susan glowinska on October 23, 2019 at 8:06 am

    I definitely need this pattern for work pants !! I love them

  15. Carmel S. on October 23, 2019 at 8:07 am

    Dreamy fabric! I love the pants, but your whole outfit is super cute.

  16. Twila on October 23, 2019 at 8:10 am

    Love the Nara pants! The scuba fabric is gorgeous. Scuba is on my list of fabrics to find and seems to be a for the first time.

  17. Crystal on October 23, 2019 at 8:19 am

    They look super comfy! I am always partial to shorts, so I think I like that view best! lol

    • Elaine on October 23, 2019 at 8:32 am

      That fabric is the reason I took a second look. It’s beautiful. The made up wonderfully with this pattern. I would love to try the flat front and agree that belt loops “finish” the look.

  18. Dagbjort on October 23, 2019 at 8:27 am

    These look so amazing! Wide legged pants are really growing on me, its time to put those skinny jeans on the sideline for a bit

  19. Brianna on October 23, 2019 at 8:28 am

    I love the fabric choice with these pants. They look so Autumn Cozy! 🙂

  20. Allison Parsons Moroso on October 23, 2019 at 8:36 am

    I absolutely love everything about thise pants and you’re entire outfit! I’m always leery about wide legs pants because I’m in the shorter side but these look great on you!! Maybe I should try them too! Beautiful fabric!

    • Sarah on October 25, 2019 at 8:03 pm

      You can totally rock them!

  21. Amy on October 23, 2019 at 8:47 am

    I love the wide leg, comfy style. The fabric you chose is beautiful!

  22. Angela on October 23, 2019 at 8:47 am

    I love the colors in your new pants – they are the perfect reminder of the autumn weather about to come!

  23. Stef on October 23, 2019 at 8:53 am

    These look amazing! And I love wide legs and find them to be so cozy. They layered look in the last photo is perfect for fall, and ties everything together so well!

    • Sarah on October 25, 2019 at 8:00 pm

      Thank you Stef! Please check your email!

  24. Michelle on October 23, 2019 at 9:15 am

    I love the flowy pant trend, and this is beautiful in the scuba!

  25. Brenda douglas on October 23, 2019 at 9:15 am

    The pants look awesome on you. Live the simplicity. Did a good job with fabric too

    • Sarah on October 25, 2019 at 8:03 pm

      Thank you Brenda!

  26. Lesley on October 23, 2019 at 9:45 am

    Wow! I love the colors. The match and blend perfectly. I love the idea of using knit fabrics without the stretch for a woven pattern. Best of both worlds. I find scuba to be like that. I think it’s going to be a 4 way stretch and it turns out to have very little either way. Enjoy this outfit and have a wonderful holiday

    • Sarah on October 25, 2019 at 8:00 pm

      Thank you Lesley!

  27. Karen w on October 23, 2019 at 9:51 am

    Love the fabric and they look so comfy.

  28. Kimberley on October 23, 2019 at 9:56 am

    I like the ones without the bow. I don’t need any extra at my tummy. Love your version!

  29. Molli G on October 23, 2019 at 9:57 am

    So cute! I love your styling too!

  30. Theresa J on October 23, 2019 at 10:03 am

    They look so comfy

  31. Stephanie on October 23, 2019 at 10:26 am

    Those look super comfy! Love the fabric choice

  32. Diane Cullum on October 23, 2019 at 11:33 am

    They are very elegant looking in the fabric you chose! I like View A best in long length.

  33. Margaret Winters on October 23, 2019 at 11:41 am

    Looks like something you’ll get a lot of use out of this Fall! I also like view A long.

  34. Frith Valk on October 23, 2019 at 11:55 am

    Hi Sarah you’re pants look gorgeous, just wondering how much puff they have at the back?I too have no butt and find elastic waist pants make me look puffy and I find them unflattering. Yours look unpuffy, which is awesome.

    • Sarah on October 25, 2019 at 8:03 pm

      They don’t have much puff because I ran the elastic all the way through. You could narrow them at the top, at the side seams, if you wanted them a bit flatter. Hope that helps!

  35. Kim on October 23, 2019 at 12:48 pm

    These look like the type of pant I have been looking for because I have very sensitive scars and nerve damage. I hope the light and loose fit will work.

    • Sarah on October 25, 2019 at 8:00 pm

      They would be nice and flowy, especially in a soft fabric like rayon! Hope you’re able to give them a try!

  36. JILL BRESEKE on October 23, 2019 at 12:53 pm

    These are really cute! Love the fabric and style. I hadn’t heard of this pattern-maker before!!

  37. Bridgid on October 23, 2019 at 1:00 pm

    Ooh, those are lovely! As a petite & curvy person I usually shy away from wide leg pants – but this makes me want to give them a try. They look great on you, and very comfortable without looking sloppy. And your sweater in the last photo looks perfect with it – so cozy! Is that something you made too?

  38. Shana Lennox on October 23, 2019 at 2:11 pm

    They look lovely on you, i probably prefer view b

  39. Donna Hannan on October 23, 2019 at 2:21 pm

    Pants look amazing. Love who comfy they look.

  40. Melissa Fraser on October 23, 2019 at 2:30 pm

    Hi, I love what you made, and would love some just like yours ❤️. Lloove pockets

  41. Jen Devore on October 23, 2019 at 2:48 pm

    Beautiful as always!

  42. Karen jakab on October 23, 2019 at 3:36 pm

    Beautiful.

  43. Sara on October 23, 2019 at 3:40 pm

    This fabric looks really great as pants

  44. Tia Kluesner on October 23, 2019 at 4:13 pm

    Hear are great, looking for a dressier pair of pants as I’m a legging girl 99% of the time.

    • Sarah on October 25, 2019 at 7:58 pm

      I’m the same way! Its great to have both as an option!

  45. Cathy Erpelding on October 23, 2019 at 4:46 pm

    These look amazing!

  46. Teresa on October 23, 2019 at 5:03 pm

    Very cute!

  47. Alyssa Ramirez on October 23, 2019 at 5:34 pm

    Love your pants! So perfect for fall!

  48. Laura T on October 23, 2019 at 8:33 pm

    Your fabric is fabulous, and I love that you turned it into pants. I need to do a better job at considering prints for pants. The pattern looks very interesting, but I couldn’t find a sizing chart on the site. Any ideas what the upper end of the sizing is or where a chart could be located?

    • Sarah on October 25, 2019 at 7:58 pm

      Gosh- you’re correct that its missing on the site! The size 24 has a waist of 46.5 and hips 56.5. I hope that helps!

  49. Andi Stallwood on October 23, 2019 at 11:06 pm

    I love the view you’ve made! I don’t like ties as they tend to draw attention to my non existent waist . I generally always wear tops over the waistband for a clean silhouette and these will work prefectly!

    • Sarah on October 25, 2019 at 7:55 pm

      It’s nice to have the option- I tend to prefer my tops untucked as well.

  50. Amie PARHAM on October 24, 2019 at 6:07 am

    Subscribed already to the blog! About to go follow your IG!

    • Sarah on October 25, 2019 at 7:54 pm

      Thank you so much for subscribing and following!

  51. Tiffany on October 24, 2019 at 7:28 am

    Very cute! I like view A with the flat front, and probably without the ties for me because I don’t have a naturally flat front and don’t want to draw more attention lol…

    • Sarah on October 25, 2019 at 7:54 pm

      I think the flat front is really flattering too!

  52. Leigh Thow on October 24, 2019 at 10:28 am

    Oh I do love these! I need more pant patterns in my life as I’ve been wearing only leggings for too long now!

    • Sarah on October 25, 2019 at 7:54 pm

      I love me some leggings, but having some fancier pants is a good option too!

  53. JS on October 24, 2019 at 10:35 am

    These look like just what I want in my wardrobe out of some linen! I always appreciate hearing how you modify your patterns for your height. I make you look tall, but your steps get me started!

    • Sarah on October 25, 2019 at 7:54 pm

      Thank you! I’m glad sharing the mods is helpful!

  54. Emily on October 24, 2019 at 9:25 pm

    So gorgeous!!!!!

  55. Tonnia Williams on October 25, 2019 at 4:30 am

    I love those pants and the fabric. I also love your blog. So many cute clothes with hack ideas like the waistband one here. Thanks for all you do.

    • Sarah on October 25, 2019 at 7:53 pm

      Thank you!

  56. Sherry N on October 25, 2019 at 7:57 am

    love the fabric! they look perfect on you!

    • Sarah on October 25, 2019 at 7:52 pm

      Thank you!

  57. Beck on October 26, 2019 at 2:23 pm

    These look so comfy, perfect for change of season.

    • Sarah on October 27, 2019 at 9:10 pm

      Thank you Beck!

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