Pattern and Instructions: The Elsa Culottes
Dreaming of summertime beach pajamas, I was inspired by a vintage pattern in my collection to create these wide-leg Elsa Culottes.
Make them from a sturdy fabric like silk matka for more structured pants, a breezy fabric like rayon for a drapey look, or a light-weight wool flannel for warm winter wear. They are such a versatile new addition to your wardrobe!
These high-waisted culottes were named for Elsa Schaparelli, an avant-garde designer from the 20th century, and have a kicky center pleat that gives the appearance of being a skirt. Even better, they can be worn as separates or mix-and-matched with any of the Lamour-series bodices.
I've fallen in love with linen, especially in beautiful florals like the hydrangea print and Susie's linen/rayon blend.
You'll find the tiled file (for printing at home on A4 or letter size sheets and taping together) and the A0 file (for printing at a copy shop like pdfplotting.com). Please note that we now have two size blocks, so make sure to download the correct files for the size you're making. If you have any questions about which size to sew, don't forget to read our blog post with all the details!
xoxo,
Gertie
P.S. We love creating this content exclusively for you, so please do not share it elsewhere (including Pinterest or other sites). Thank you so much for being a patron!!!
Comments (124)
Stunning!!!
Is the crotch high or low? I love cullottes but a lot of them have a very low crotch. My thighs just happen to love each other so much that I need to separate them...
Is this Top an available patterns somewhere?
The purple top is the v-neck ruched shoulder hepburn top which is in the store (not patreon)
Yep
Hey, did anyone make this as the Barbie sequin jumpsuit?
Has anyone made these and put the zipper on the side instead of the back? I've started to make all of my loretta shorts with the zipper on the side, and they come out fine, but I was wondering if anyone has done that with the Elsa and had any trouble? I'm currently starting a practice pair so I'll try with a side zipper on those.
I did and they turned out great!
Is it possible to tell me the measurement of the key box on the pattern (the box containing the 1' square check and sizes)? I use my projector, and only having the 1" square to check that the scale is correct is giving me poor results. I was thinking maybe if the dims of the key box were shared it could help? In the future it would be amazing to have the option for a calibration grid as a layer in the pattern!
Thank you for this pattern 😃 I love linen for summer in Florida.
I love the knee length ones, perfect compromise between a skirt and pants for a wheelchair... no more flapping skirts
Looking forward to making these! I work with kids all day, so skirts just aren't practical.
So these pants utterly rule! May I ask if there's the chance of projector files being available in the future? It saves so much time and resources I've kind of become a little projector dependent. No worries if not!
I've been interested in getting a projector and wondered if the A0 size could be used. You'd still have to piece match though so IDK if it would be possible. Any thoughts?
Could these be done in a seersucker fabric? Or would that be a bad idea because of the pleats?
I just made a draft using seer sucker and they turned out cute!
Gertie and team: this is one of the best looks! The variations are so classic and I’m inspired!! Thank you!!!! Now I also want that hydrangea pattern fabric. One of my top fav flowers, perfect for spring and summer. Am I excited? 🤣😂👍💕❤️
I really love these pants/culottes. They will be beautiful full length and fun above the knee. When I was a teenager culottes were very popular. Couldn't wear them to school because they were considered pants not a skirt. The other casual style that was hot when I was a teen was 'hot pants' with boots. I had a pair of Nancy Sinatra white boots. One spring evening I was going to a dance and put on a pair of pastel horizontal stripe hot pants and a form fitting knit top with white boots. I asked my dad if the boots looked ok with the outfit. His response "who's going to notice the boots!" 50+ years later I still can't believe he let me out of the house that night.
I was JUST thinking about how much I would love a pattern just like this, and what do you know, Gertie's newsletter arrived within hours! So excited for this project!
I think I found a couple errors in calculated yardage. In the instructions, there seems to be an error in yardage calculations for sizes 26 - 34 on the long pants and shorts. It reads these sizes take less(?) yards than sizes 18-24 and looks like 45" widths take more than 60" width fabrics, which I know is not possible. Help? That said, I am excited to make these for summer!
The instructions have been updated with the correct yardage. Thanks for pointing that out! 😘
I wasn’t so sure since I’m short, but I love the capris and shorts! My daughter loves the concept of secret pants, so this will be used for years to come 🥰
just cut it! LOVE IT
Is anyone else getting a Grace Kelly “to catch a thief” vibe from the L’amour mashup? https://www.kathryngauci.com/blog-79-06-04-2019-fashion-and-hollywood-award-winning-costume-designer-edith-head/grace-kelly-in-edith-head-design-to-catch-a-thief-fashion-on-film/
Unfortunately not my style. Hopefully next month will be something I like
The Lamourelsa is a dream! But I’d never be able to get out of it if I had to pee in a hurry. 😂
So much better than a ‘skort’, I love culottes!
LOVE these❤️❤️❤️ thank you!!
This is exactly what I wanted for my Easter outfit!
Ooh now I need to try and scale the line drawings to the paper doll from the magazine!
Since this can be combined with the L'Amour bodies, does L'Amour lend well with super drapey fabrics?
As you underline your lamour bodice it should be working
Omg. I think I died and went to pants Heaven. Can we have a pattern for that cute fringed handbag next?
Anyone know if there’s a pattern for that adorable purple top :)? I’ve been hunting all over patreon/ charm for it since the pants were released today !
That purple top is the Ruched Sleeveless Hepburn top with the V-neck. It's such a quick sew and turns out amazing!
So excited, I’ve been actively looking for this pattern for a couple of years!
I am living in Japan, and just yesterday, I saw a lady wearing something like this. I decided to go home and research pattern options in this style, and here it was on my Patreon! Thanks Gertie!
Maybe she was wearing Hakama?
These are super cute!!
Omgosh I'm loosing my mind!!! I so need this pattern in my life!!! Ty team!!!💜
Capri is my favorite version!
I litterally gasped out loud before shouting Oh My God! multiple times! when I heard 'beach pajamas'. I was 'meh' but I should have know there would be a charm pattern twist here that would take my breath away.. and these have!
Nicely shaped pockets!
I love culottes!
Just ADORBS!!!
I love these. Thank you!
I love these being short I never can purchase culottes off the rack. I am so excited!!
I LOVE secret pants!!!
Help Want to print the A0 size 18-34 but size is 1163 x 815 cm Print service wont print
Helen, Eva is trying to send to a copy shop. Her copy shop won't print this A0 size.
These are so beautiful 💖
I'm not a big pants person but that play suit is cute
I'm ugly crying right now! I love them!
Yay! I was hoping for gigantic pants!
These are absolute perfection and I need one in every color and pattern imaginable!!!
Perfection, I love culottes and Elsa Schiaparelli! Let's hope I have enough fabric in my stash :D
SECRET PANTS!!! YESSSS!!!
Gasp! Secret pants!! 😍
That's what I said too 😅
Oh my gloooobbb!!! The capri length jumpsuit in particular! I went to the mall a couple weeks ago and tried on jeans and it just confirmed my belief that I am just not a pants-shaped person, but I am really excited about these !!
These are amazing!!! I always struggle to find something that looks professional, is lightweight enough for summer wear , and isn’t a skirt ( no air conditioning in my school…we end in early June…but it can get really humid…also I prefer to wear pants to work so I can move quickly without worry). This pattern is perfect! Thank you, Gertie & Team Charm 💜💜
Fabulous! ❤️
Omfg, yes!!!!! Another pants pattern!!!!
I absolutely love culottes. They're so comfortable and practical and the fact that they look like a skirt is such a win.
Printing now for my weekend project!
Just when I thought my sewing projects for the year were sorted, a brilliant curve ball like this pops up. I'll have to learn to sew faster!
Love these!!!! My friends and I were just discussing how much we love culottes!
Y E S S ! My cup of tea!! 😁. Love me a good pair of culottes!
Yes!!! For the last few months, I have been searching far and wide, high and low for a culottes pattern that I love, and this is IT!!! Thank you!
I am drooling over all these fabrics.
These are amazing 😍
Knocked it out of the park with these!
I love these culottes. I already ordered the hydrangea fabric.
Yes!! 😍
2nd month in a row that I guessed right! Well kind of... I guessed beach pyjamas! I'm usually useless at that sort of thing lol - I absolutely ADORE these culottes, especially when twinned with the cross fronted Lamour top 😍😍😍
I’m totally digging this pattern!
Love but the yardage .....what do I need to sacrifice to the fabric gods?
You gotta break a few eggs to make an omelet! ;)
The pants!! The playsuit!! I see my whole summer wardrobe involving this pattern..🎉🤩 Thank you!!!
I just let out a little yelp of joy. Blessssss
OMG! Honestly, I wasn't too excited when I heard "coulottes", but this is soooo gorgeous!!!! I will definitely be making this!!!!
I was so disappointed, thinking culottes! I’m too short for culottes but these are a winner!!! Looks like a skirt, flowy fabrics and i won’t die in the freaking heat. You did it again Gertie!!!🥰
Brilliant. Spot on. Thanks.
i LOVE this one!!!! ---i hope the mid-month will be an expansion for a new top for it- because i hope to sew a lot of these!!!! oh ...I wonder if it will have a dropped crotch like the loretta-- i still cannot wear my lorettas due to the 'rub' :(
LOVING IT SOOOO MUCH 💗💗💗
the playsuit! i need more culottes in my life. thank you!
Like Rachel Maksy says: SECRET PANTS!!!!!
I went for Morgan's version- Shenanigans Pants!
Magnifique 👏👏👏
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! Thank You Miss Gertie!
Your timing is perfect!! I was looking for a clotted pattern for work and here it is! I love it!
Yay! This is one of the things I suggested on the survey! I love how Gertie and the team come up with just the things we're needing in our wardrobs! ;)
Shenanigans Culottes!
Thank you! I will make all versions of these. I love the front pleat and the skirt/short combo!
I am absolutely OBSESSED 😍 Especially the shorts Susie is wearing and the grey capris 🔥
ROFLOL! I just bought a pattern for wide-legged culottes on Wednesday. Ah well, I supported another indie designer (and a little went to etsy).
EXACTLY what I most needed, omg, these are so amazing! I haven't crazy loved any of the previous pants patterns but these are absolute FIRE! Printing right now! Hopefully I will have a pair to wear tomorrow!
This is just what I needed in my life 🤩
Well this is all I’ll be wearing this summer!!!
Perfection!
Love it! How great for so many summer options!! Thank you 😊
Gorgeous 🥹
This just totally messed up my sewing calendar!! So excited!!!
Almost fell off my seat!! Love love love. I was about to try a lamour stanwyck jumpsuit... Not anymore🤩🤩
♥️♥️♥️♥️
Beach pajamas here I come!
Love it! I was just looking for patterns for something like this! Awesome!
Gertie, I absolutely love these! But if I could make a request: a skortt. I've been dying for a skort!
Oh my god! Exactly what I wanted!!
I am in love!
Omg I have to make these!!! I was literally trying to find a pattern similar to this justast week
OMG!!!! When I say my jaw dropped, it's an understatement. Had to scrape it off the floor after looking at all the pictures! Love you Gertie!!!! This is EXACTLY what I want for summer!!!!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Amazing! I love them
Omg these are epic! Thank you so much x
Those are the ginchiest!!!! Sweet!!
Omg! Omg I love these! Secret pants!
Yes! Thank you! I was just saying I need culottes for the spring!
Yes yes yes YES!!! I've been waiting years for this culottes pattern. THANK YOU 😁❤️
AMAZING 😍🤩
😍😍
Jeeh!
LOVE THESE!
Yes yes yes secret beach pants! :) :)
Omg! I love these!!!