The Field Trip Cargo Pants from Oliver +S have been on my sewing list for several months. I’ve had the pattern for a while. It comes with a pattern for a raglan t-shirt, which I used right away. I put the cargo pants off, because I knew it would not be a quick project. They have taken me 3 days of sewing at naptime, plus one late night, but I couldn’t be happier with the finished pants!
I highly recommend this pattern! The construction was not nearly as difficult or confusing as I imagined, just time-consuming and detail-oriented. I sewed in shorter time periods, took breaks, and stitched slowly and carefully. I don’t even think I had to pick out any stitches, which is highly unusual…chalk it up to the excellent directions!
I used a trouser fabric that I found with the twills at the fabric store. This fabric has a grid, like ripstop nylon, and it seemed perfect for little boy pants. It was easy to work with and worked well with the pattern. I actually enjoyed all of the detailed topstitching. Is that weird? Probably loved it for the same reason I love cutting in when I paint the walls.
I did not make any major changes to the pattern. I made a size 5, which was a perfect fit other than the extra 2 in. at the bottom. I didn’t cut the extra fabric off, but just turned up the hem one more time. When he grows 2 in. unexpectedly in the next couple of months, I’ll be able to let down the hem a couple more inches.
Though it was more time-consuming, I love how the pants look with all of the different sections and pockets. It really makes the pants look store-bought instead of homemade.
I used soft flannel for the waistband lining, instead of the thicker outer fabric. I also used flannel as a second layer in the knee section. Adding an extra layer to the knee isn’t in the main part of the directions, but I remember seeing it suggested somewhere. (Can’t remember if it was on the pattern or the Oliver + S blog.) Since the pattern uses a separate piece for the knee section, it’s very easy (and worth the extra effort) to cut out a second layer, sew the darts, and them stack them together to sew as one piece.
So, Kids Clothes Week, days 4, 5, 6, were spent working on the Field Trip Cargo Pants…and I will definitely be making more!