Bedford Cigarette Pants

These pants are my own design, made out of a wool gabardine. They are a classic cigarette pant style, meaning a slim fit pant. I actually made these just before Christmas, and I have worn them constantly! It's such an easy, casual vintage look. You might even remember seeing the original sketch for them back in November.

To make the pattern, I started with my pants sloper, sewed a muslin, and then tried them on inside-out. Then my pattern making instructor pinned excess fabric, I'd sew along that line, and we'd repeat the process again. I did that over and over until I got a fit that I liked. Then I transferred all my markings to the pattern.

This wool gabardine doesn't have any stretch to it, so I made them a bit looser cigarette pant. I think I can do a slimmer fit even still, and intend to with a stretchy fabric. Although these pants were field tested during the holidays, and I am happy to report that I was able to comfortably wear them even after Christmas dinner.

I used ban roll in the waistband for the first time, and gollies, I love it! I purchased it on a suggestion from The Lost Art of Tailoring by Gentleman Jim. It adds stiffness which keeps your waistband from wrinkling as you wear it throughout the day. I highly recommend it! I wish I had found it earlier.

Source

The waistband closes with one of those heavy-duty pants hook and eyes, and then there's an invisible zipper at the left side seam. I find I prefer the side zip over the back zip for this style of pant as it's more comfortable and has less fitting issues.

While I was plotting and scheming for the Bedford Cigarette Pants, I interviewed Aislinn of BooBoo Kitty Couture, who sews the most sensational made-to-measure cigarette pants. So stay tuned for that interview on Thursday! I got the dirt! You know, the poop, scoop, skinny, the haps, the dillio, the 4-11. ("Pushing Daisies reference anyone?!)