Tencel Denim Winslow Culottes and some Cali Fabrics Classics!

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This summer, I’m determined to experiment with fun trousers styles. There has to be more to life than skinny jeans, right?

First and foremost, I needed a good flowy fabric that was also robust enough for pants. I was so happy to find this tencel denim on the Cali Fabrics site! (It’s sold out right now, but I hope there will be more stock soon!) Tencel is a really trendy fabric right now – it’s a rayon, basically, but made from wood pulp. I ordered 6 yards so that I’d have enough to try at least two patterns!

As you can see, this denim has a bit of a sheen that gives it a dressy look. It drapes beautifully, but also has a bit of body – the hand is more like a linen than a challis, I’d say. It was easy to sew, but a challenge to cut perfectly on grain!

tencel denim Collage

After a lively discussion on my blog, I decided to start with the Winslow Culottes by Helen’s Closet. I did some pattern testing for Helen this winter, so she sent me the pattern to try out, no strings attached. It’s a simple, elegant pattern that doesn’t need much fitting because the legs are so wide! If you get the waistband to fit nicely, everything else will fall into place. I like that the pattern can be made as shorts, knee-length, cropped of maxi, and that it gives the illusion of a skirt with the comfort of pants. Rachel blogged a pair in crepe this winter, showing that they can work in all seasons (except perhaps deep snow!)

Crazy pants Collage

The culottes themselves sewed up quickly, with 4 big pleats and a bunch of straight seams. My difficulty came in figuring out how to style them!

I wanted to keep the waist defined, and balance out the volume on the bottom. I had a look in my stash, and found the leftovers from my last Cali project – this black stretch lace! I made a simple cropped tee using the Jalie Dolman Tee pattern, hacked to have a tie front. Here’s how:

lace tie top Collage

The back hem and bottom of the triangular points in finished with a folded band for strength, topstitched flat with a zigzag. The slit at centre front is serged then folded up and topstitched. It’s held up well to lots of tying and untying. It’s versatile, too: you’ll see in some pics I have the ties hanging out for a casual look, and sometimes I untie it and tuck them in for a more polished style. I could see layering the lace tee over a knit dress in summer, too!

In fact, I was so happy using fabric from multiple orders that I started wondering what other Cali projects I could throw in the mix – and voila! Remember this striped jacket from last fall?

with jacket Collage

BAM! I love how it gives the culottes a more casual vibe, and makes them work for cooler weather. I wonder what else I have in my closet that would work with culottes?

waistband Collage

I’ve still got 3m of this tencel denim left, and several more patterns I’d like to try… tune in to my next post to find out which I chose!

Have you ever worn or sewn with tencel? It would be lovely for a shirtdress, casual skirt, or tank. What would you make with it? 

Gillian from Crafting a Rainbow

Hi! My name is Gillian, and I love to sew! I blog at craftingarainbow.wordpress.com and I run the Sewcialists.

I’ve enjoyed sewing since I was a kid, but when I started sewing clothes in 2012, it became a bit of an obsession. I’m all about wearable, comfy everyday clothes – and my wardrobe is overflowing! I’ve pulled all the colours that I love wearing into my personal colour palette, which keeps me inspired and my fabric shopping on track. I’ve ordered from Cali Fabric for years, and I’m so excited to be able to join their blogger team!

I live in Ontario (Canada) with my nerdy and awesome husband and our two cats. I’m a teacher by day, and fabric hoarder by night!

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9 thoughts on “Tencel Denim Winslow Culottes and some Cali Fabrics Classics!”

  1. I love this and am thinking I might try the culottes in some crepe at knee length. I also like that purple tank with ruffles. Did you make it and, if so, what pattern? I have already purchased some knits from Cali & Co Fabrics that would look really good in that style.

  2. Those culottes are so awesome Gillian!!! They look chic, comfortable and cool. I also love the tie hack on that lace tee and all of your styling options.

  3. Love the culottes, they look so sophisticated on you. And that tercel denim, I’d been looking for some myself and now I just ordered some too. 🙂

  4. I love these culottes on you and I love your styling! I’m glad you stayed with the original length. 🙂

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