Since I don’t really follow the big 4 pattern releases much, I generally only become aware of the potential of big 4 patterns, when other sewists start sewing them.

And then a pattern starts appearing everywhere…

That was how these McCall’s 7726 paper bag waist, wide-legged pants came into existence.

I first saw these great pants sewn up by Sophie @adaspragg. That sighting led to me immediately purchasing the pattern. Since then, I kept seeing lovely versions emerging, such as these by Jen over at Sewing and Slapdashery and these two over at Jess Sews Clothes.

McCall’s 7726: Verdict

So, where to start? What about at the end?

Umm, well, I really like the end result! They make me feel as though my legs go on forever and forever. Speaking of which, could you believe that I had to cut 6 inches off the length of these pants before hemming them?

What the?

Oh to be that tall…

From tall legs to tent legs

And speaking of wide-legged pants, is anyone else, like me, hoping this trend lasts forever?

Actually screw it, I am now officially of an age and sensibility where I have decided that it will last forever, for me,  regardless of the trends. Wide-legged pants are here to stay for me!

I was recently showing my sister the Amy jumpsuit by Closet Case Patterns and telling her how much I like it. Her response was “Beck, what is it with you and pants that look like tents around your legs?”.

Well, yes, I want to wear tents around my legs. Forever. Fullstop.

See, just like this:

My McCall’s 7726

My McCall’s 7726 are a size 16. This is view D, the wide-legged version. I sewed them up with no modifications at all. Since I was sewing the wide-legged version, I didn’t have to worry about the fit through the leg and hip. And the crotch is actually very low, so I didn’t need to make any adjustments to make sure I had enough room. All in all, I am entirely chuffed with the fit of these.

One of my favourite features are probably the really weird pocket pieces. The pockets are cleverly incorporated into the “side” piece of the upper pant.

These are made out of this windowpane check, an Italian woven New Zealand virgin worsted wool, from Fabworks Mill.

Big 4 instructions? Noooooo

As is often the case when I switch from indie patterns to big 4, I found that the instructions and certain elements of the finishing left a bit to be desired.

For example, there is no interfacing used anywhere on this pattern. I have to confess that I was kind of sewing on automatic pilot and it wasn’t until the end that it struck me. Hang on, isn’t a bit bizarre that I just installed a fly without using a scrap of interfacing anywhere?  So I really hope these hold up alright over time.

I also found the instructions for installing the fly to be utterly incomprehensible. I tossed them and got out my Ginger Jeans instructions to see me through this step. Finally, the instructions only call for three belt loops, which isn’t really enough. I have kept aside enough fabric to make a few more.

Yeah sure, like that will happen. Oh well, at least with my extra fabric, it remains an eventuality which is theoretically possible.

But on the upside…

Another point of note is that this is also a pretty damn quick sew, for pants. There is no waistband as such, the paper bag waist is just formed by folding down the leg pieces. Which definitely makes for some speedy coming together of it all. This also gives you a bit of flexibility if you think that this level of high waist is just a bit too high!

All in all, I actually like these pants enough that I am contemplating sewing up view B, the more straight-legged variation. This will be a foreign leg shape for me, so who knows what will become of such adventures…

Or perhaps misadventures…

Only time will tell!

Oh and, finally, a little P.S! If you like to get your blog hits through Bloglovin’, feel free to follow me over there: you can find me here. And you can find me on Instagram here.