Rose pants can be made out of a pretty wide variety of fabrics for different looks and textures! Here we have a couple of pairs sewn from viscose-linen. This fabric has been VERY HOT on the Apparel Sewing Internet for the past year, so both Jess and I wanted to try it out for Rose pants, being both super comfortable, apparel-appropriate, and easy to find both at fabric shops and online. I also used it to sew the yellow Emerald dress sample for Making Magazine.

Jess used the "rust" color, and I used "caramel."

This fabric is easy to care for (machine wash and dry) and incredibly comfortable. It has an elegant drape too, but due to the slubby texture, it's not difficult to manage while sewing, the way some slippery rayons can be. (note that the terms "viscose" and "rayon" mean the same thing)

Sewing Rose (or any garment, for that matter) out of this fabric does require some adjustments we wanted to tell you about. It has more than the usual amount of stretch for a woven fabric, so it has a tendency to "grow" while you sew it. For both of us, it stretched out quite a bit while sewing, especially along the curved crotch seams (basically, be careful with any curved or bias-cut seams), so when we were finished the pants felt at least a size too big.

As a result, Jess (who has a 36.5" hip and made a size S) narrowed leg at inseam, shortened rise, and reduced width at center back by taking in the top section of the back crotch seam. On my pair (I have a 41" hip and made a size L), I took in in 1" along both side seams from back pant pieces and waistband (so 2" total), reduced back crotch curve by 1" by taking in the back inseam at the crotch and inner thigh. I'm pretty sure I would also have taken up the hem if I were not so tall (I'm 5'8").

I think the big question left unanswered yet is "should you go down a size in this fabric?" and I'm REALLY tempted to say yes, especially if you are between sizes. However, since this is -- as of this writing -- still untested, if you decide to do so, I must remind you to proceed with caution.

For those who would prefer to stay on the safe side and cut your fabric out according to your size, use the adjustments you made to your muslin and be prepared to make some tweaks. We also highly recommend in all cases that you baste all seams (except pockets) and adjust fit as you go -- there are instructions for checking fit throughout the pattern to remind you to do this -- this is always immensely helpful whenever using a new-to-you fabric.

With fabrics that have so much give, it's always a good idea to hold off on hemming right away as well. Once you've done everything but hem, hang them up for a day or two, then try them on once more and sew your hem.

You may be left wondering: why the heck would I use this fabric if it may requires so much tweaking?? The answer is because these pants are so freaking comfortable you can sleep in them. This fabric is just the dreamiest thing to wear, and any hateful thoughts I may have mentally pointed in its direction when adjusting the fit of my pair have since magically disappeared. Sometimes, the problem solving involved with sewing garments is justified by the end result. I feel like a million bucks in these pant

One other note about this fabric. While it is widely available at many of our favorite apparel fabric shops, most shops use different names to identify it (a personal pet peeve, but moving on...). If you're a shop that carries this fabric, feel free to leave a comment with a link to your listing so we can add you to this list:

Ewe Fibers - Viscose-linen

Blackbird fabrics - Viscose-linen noil (note: NOT the viscose-linen slub!!!)

Stonemountain and Daughter - Mora Slub

Shop La Mercerie - Avery Slub linen blend

Sewing Studio - Grace Viscose & Linen

I hope this post has been informative and helpful. If you have sewn something with this fabric or try it for Rose, be sure to weigh in with your thoughts so we can hear what you think!

The Rose pattern is available in my shop. Rose pattern information and yardage can be found on our Rose page.

Rose pants in viscose-linen

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