FINISHED: Megan Nielsen Tania Culottes

Every time I mention the word culottes my husband gets this look on his face and asks why I wouldn't just wear a skirt or shorts. I've composed a brief response to his inquiry:

• Culottes provide the coverage and security that a short circle skirt cannot.
• Culottes are more dressy than your average shorts. 
• Culottes is a fun word to say.
• I like culottes.

I personally think this argument makes perfect sense.

Last month I made a large purchase from Denver Fabrics, vowing that this would be my fabric purchase for the year and that I would sew through it quickly. I purchased a ton of cotton and have all of them earmarked for summer dresses. Since we live in coastal Georgia it made sense since "summer" is 8 months of the year. I also bought some linen but that's another story. 

I loved this black and cream geometric cotton - it's a true lightweight rather than a sheer. I realized, though, that I might not want it so close to my face for fear of making my friends sea-sick, so Tania culottes it became!

My last pair seemed a bit short for daily consumption so I added 1.5" of length following Megan's instructions on how to do so. For the record, you extend the seamlines - you DO NOT slash and lengthen. Easy. These are around 20" from my waist now which I like a lot. The fabric weight gives these a nice amount of body - they neither fall limp nor can they stand on their own. 

I zig-zagged the waistband facing and then stitched in the ditch without folding the ends under. The waistband on my last pair was a bit thick.

(Insert facing pic)
I let these hang overnight but didn't notice much bias growth. I went back and forth on whether to narrow hem or just serge and stitch and ended up narrow hemming. I'd love to learn how to use my narrow hem foot. :-/

I really like these, which is the real reason I'll continue making them, and that's just fine by me.

Pattern: Megan Nielsen Tania
Size: XL
Fabric: 60" geometric cotton lawn from Denver Fabrics, 2 yards
Needle: Shmetz 70/10 Sharp
Thread: Gutermann Mara 100 in black
Changes: Added 1.5" to length, interfaced both waistband pieces, regular zipper
Notions: lightweight fusible interfacing, thread, black zipper