Simplicity 9376 trousers

My wardrobe is well (some would say too well!) stocked with dresses and skirts, but I don't have many pairs of trousers so there are a couple of trouser patterns in my sewing plans for the year. The first of those patterns that I've got round to making is Simplicity 9376. Here's my version...

Simplicity 9376 is a pattern for pull-on trousers with a flat front waist and elasticated back waist. There are options for waist ties or belt loops, and the hems either use a clean finish, cuffs or elastic. The fronts of the trousers feature either pleats or pin tucks. All of the versions have side front pockets.

The pattern covers hip sizes from 32.5" to 48".

I essentially made view D of the pattern (pleated fronts, cuffed legs and otherwise plain), but I omitted the cuffs and just hemmed the legs. I had thought about using the cuffs, but they're formed by folding back the leg and I think that would have left the trousers a bit short on me (for reference I'm 5'9").

Making the trousers was a fairly straightforward process. As is normal for commercial sewing patterns, the instructions were probably not as detailed as they would be from an indie company, but personally I found them perfectly clear and easy to follow. I didn't have any trouble sewing this pattern, although it has to be said that I was already familiar with all of the processes used to make the trousers.

I made a straight size 18, which is the size recommended for my current measurements. The only alteration I made was to widen the waistband pieces so I could use 4cm elastic instead of the 3.2cm called for in the pattern. I chose to do that because I was struggling to get any 3.2cm elastic, and I had 4cm elastic already so it seemed sensible to use that. Even though the change was a practical decision, I think the slightly wider waistband is actually quite nice and for me the slight added height at the waist is good.

I feel like the fit is fairly good around my waist and hips. The legs possibly turned out slightly baggier on me than they look on the pattern pictures, but I think they're OK and at the moment at least I don't feel the need to go back and alter them.

The fabric I used is a gorgeous needlecord that I bought from Croft Mill. It's such a pretty colour and it feels lovely. It shed pinky purple fluff all over the place as I was sewing, but thankfully that's stopped now that I've got the trousers sewn and all the seams are finished. 

I would say that I probably wouldn't want to use fabric any heavier than this for these trousers, and if I make the pattern again in a similar weight of fabric then I'd use a lighter fabric for the pocket lining and the waistband facing.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with how my Simplicity 9376 trousers turned out. They were no trouble to sew and they're extremely comfortable to wear. They're also a really pretty colour for spring, and will go with quite a few of my tops so I think I'll be wearing them a lot!