Return to Maine Collection: Machias Trousers

I’ve sewed many different pairs of pants over the years, and I could never find a pattern that gave me the perfect fit. I wanted something simple and comfortable - no zippers, tabs, or buttons - so that meant an elastic waist. But whenever I sewed a pair of pants with an elastic waist, there was so much extra fabric bunched around my midsection that it ended up looking too blousy and, well, poofy. I wanted a clean, slimming finish on the front, without sacrificing the easy wear, construction, and comfort of an elastic waistband.

The Machias Trousers are designed to provide easy construction, comfortable ease, and flattering fit. I’ve sewed at least half a dozen samples, in a multitude of different fabrics. I love how I can interpret a single pattern in so many different ways, for so many different looks, by changing the fiber blend and color of the fabric. So far, I’ve experimented with rayon viscose slub, Tencel linen, and Woolsey linen wool. I’ve focused on linen blends, to provide beautiful wear and drape, in classic neutrals - the perfect piece to wear with the rest of your Return to Maine Collection pieces!

Pattern: Machias Trouser, designed by Andrea Hungerford for By Hand Serial’s Return to Maine Collection

Sample Size: Medium

Fabric:
Sample 1 (above, pictured with modified version of Classic Long Sleeve shirt): Bolt Fabric Boutique Rayon Linen Slub (70% viscose / 30% linen) in color Sand - 2.75 yds / 53” wide (enough for two pairs in size M)
Sample 2 (below, pictured with knit Box Pleat Top): Merchant & Mills Tencel Linen (85% Tencel / 15% linen) in color Seattle Sky - 2.5 yds / 154 cm wide
Sample 3 (top three photos, pictured with sewn Box Pleat Top): Merchant & Mills Woolsey Linen Wool (78% linen / 16% wool / 6% polyester) in color Natural - 2.5 yds / 137cm wide