The Pietra Pants pattern from Closet Core really stood out to me with its design for both form and function. I love the flat front with the elastic back waistband, which gives it a sleek look in front while remaining comfortable overall. Additionally, the slanted pockets give it a nice shape, and remind me of the Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Pants with a bit more polish.
I’ve made two pairs of these to date – one wide-legged and one tapered, and definitely plan to make a shorts version when the weather warms up. I hope you find this review helpful!
Overview
I made one practice toile/muslin and two real pairs:
View A – Wide Leg, Cropped Version
- Size: 6
- Fabric: Black 6oz Tencel Twill from Blackbird Fabrics
- Notions: 1.5” Fantastic Elastic
View B – Tapered Leg
- Size: 6
- Fabric: Dark Copper 6.5oz Cotton Twill from Blackbird Fabrics
- Notions: 2” Elastic from Blackbird Fabrics
Fit & Adjustments
I made both pairs in a size 6 after my Carolyn PJs felt slightly snug in a size 4. Now that I’ve made two pairs, I suspect I could actually size down, at least for the tapered version or if I’m working with a more structured material like cotton twill.
Lengthwise, I shortened both pairs by an additional 2” to get a cropped look for my 5’4″ self. And for the waistband, I shortened the elastic by ~1.5” – another point that makes me think I could size down to a 4.
However, I like that the tapered version in size 6 skims my calves and doesn’t get ‘stuck’ when I sit and stand. This is an issue I’ve had with other tapered pants like my Clydes and Only Child Solanos. And while not the end of the world, it’s nice not having to worry about that with these.
Time
Thankfully, both pairs took less time to make compared to my Carolyn Pajamas. Overall, I spent about 1 hour cutting pieces and then about 2.5 hours sewing. The tencel twill version took a bit longer, due to the slippery nature of the material.
However… I did spend quite a bit of time later making alterations to my flowy tencel twill version. I noticed that my hems were slightly uneven, which I could not unsee. It took me another 2 hours or so to unpick, iron, re-measure, trim evenly and re-sew them.
I think I may have cut one of the front panels ever-so-slightly off grain, which resulted in one of the legs slightly twisting and having an uneven hem. After all the time on the alterations, they’re still slightly off, but more even overall. Unfortunately, you can see the holes where my prior stitches were if you look closely, but I hope no one does! I’m glad I made these in a black fabric, which is much more forgiving for mistakes.
Learnings & Future Adjustments
This was my first time sewing a tiered waistband. My lines are absolutely crooked on my first pair, but that’s ok since they are black and you really can’t see them. They were much better (though still a little crooked) on my second pair!
Pay close attention to the notions required. On my first pair, the soft Fantastic Elastic was 1.5” while the pattern called for 2”. However, I did not modify my waistband casing to be narrower, resulting in some fabric bunching. I made my second pair with 2″ woven elastic, which I ultimately preferred for its stronger holding power.
Extensive pant adjustments exist for a reason! On my second pair, which are slightly more fitted, I noticed that the front crotch is a little too long. This is hard to fix after the fabric has been cut, but on future pairs I will try one of Closet Core’s recommended mods. I noticed that there’s some extra fabric under my bum, and may need to do a ‘seat adjustment’ as well.
Verdict
Overall, I am a big fan of this pattern. I like the big pockets – their placement and shape should be flattering for a variety of body types. It’s an easy enough pattern to modify as needed in multiple areas: hem length, rise, waist. The same can’t necessarily be said for modifications to the Pomona Pants, which I’ve reviewed previously.
To be perfectly honest – for someone who is short-torsoed and generally straight shaped, the back view isn’t the most flattering 😬 However, that is the case for all elastic waistband pants I try on, so that’s my trade-off for the comfort factor! Note: for curvier folks, Mia of SewNorth has a great step-by-step post for adding a side zipper and other alterations.
As mentioned, I plan to make at least one or two more pairs in View C (shorts) towards summer. For the pants, I can see myself wearing these into a casual office / work environment, which is a plus.
Partnership Disclosure: This blog post was not sponsored by any of the brands listed above. As always, all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, in which I earn a commission on purchases.
