Albus pattern hack: make culottes this Spring
Since I’ve designed the Albus trousers, I’ve been thinking about making some culottes. I love the shaped waistband, so I wanted to make sure to keep that! But instead of tapered legs, now are extra roomy ones
With the warmer months just here, I think that culottes are perfect. They are large and breezy, which makes them super comfortable for children. They also cover their knees, which end up grazed all the time when they’re wearing shorts.
I remember having a pair of extra wide navy striped culottes when I was a child and I still miss them today! No chance I’d fit in them now, though.
How hard is this hack?
Level: 2/5 as it requires some drawing.
This is an easy hack that you can make. All you will need is some paper, ruler and pencil.
Print and glue your pattern pages together, then cut all the pieces to your desired size. Put the waistband pieces aside as these won’t change.
Take both front and back legs and lay them on your paper.
Side seams
First of all, draw a perpendicular line from the grainline. Then draw a parallel to the grainline, starting at the waist side edge and down to the bottom of the trousers.
Repeat on the back trousers.
Inside seam
Draw a perpendicular from the grainline, then draw a parallel to it, starting where the curve from the crotch straightens. Do the same on the back trousers, starting at the same height.
Bottom hem
Draw a horizontal line to mark the bottom hem of the legs and to join inside and inside seams. The horizontal line is placed at the same hemline at the original legs.
Shortening the legs
Now that you have a straight base, you can shorten the legs as you wish.
On my 4 year old culottes, I shortened the hem by 10cm and they fall under the knee. To get a similar length, shorten using this guide:
3 months: reduce by 5cm
6 months: -5.5cm
9 months: -6cm
12 months: -6.5cm
18 months: -7cm
2 years: -8cm
3 years: -9cm
4 years: -10cm
You’re now set to sew your culottes! Just follow the pattern instructions for the making of these. And don’t forget to share your make with us @pompomdumonde or by tagging #pompomorion #orionhack !!
