This month, we're excited to bring you Episode 11 of the Sewing Club Podcast, and it's a special one—our first venture into trouser-making with the Coe Trouser by Daughter Judy Patterns! These high-waisted trousers have a unique side seam that wraps to the front, creating a slight curved look to the leg. They feature front on-seam pockets, back patch pockets, and the option for a self-belt, they offer plenty of details. The inseam finishes just below the ankle, creating a laid-back, relaxed vibe.
Sewing the Coe Trousers: The Low-Down
Pattern : The Coe Trouser by Daughter Judy Patterns
Size : 4 with a few alterations
Fabric : Cotton Lyocell Drill Gifted by Maai Design
Check out Kylie’s take on the Coe Trousers [here].
I'll be honest—I was a bit nervous about tackling our first pair of trousers for the podcast. Fitting trousers has always been tricky for me. Contending with a sway back, full thighs and calves, knock knees (you name it!) it can be process, but these trousers? They were a game changer! I was genuinely surprised at how well they fit straight from the original pattern. The waist and hip fit were spot-on, and the wide-leg design meant fewer adjustments overall. The curved waistband was another great design that worked perfectly for my shape.
I did, however, make a toile because I was expecting to need to make plenty of alterations. I found the size 4 just a bit snug, so for my second pair I increased the waist by 1.5 cm in total and added 0.5 cm to the rise. Now they were perfect for eating in!! Luckily, the toile was very wearable, so I passed it along to my mum.
Despite the fit being spot on for me this isn’t what I’d call a beginner-friendly pattern. If you're new to sewing, it might be a bit of a challenge. The instructions are thorough but involve plenty of steps and details. With a bit of basic sewing experience under your belt (like loose tops or elasticated waist trousers), this could be a fantastic project to level up your skills.
Before embarking on the challenge I would say that it’s definitely worth taking Chelsea's (the mastermind behind Daughter Judy) advice.
Tip 1: Take your time. I like to break the pattern down into manageable chunks and make sure you aren’t tackling a tricky step (like the zipper) right at the end of a long sewing session.
Tip 2: If there are any bits, like a fly zipper or on-seam pockets that you haven’t sewn before grab some scrap and work through the instructions. It's much better to work out what you’re doing on scrap fabric rather than the real deal. You only need to make them sample size so you don’t waste too much fabric.
Kylie and I both used a Navy Cotton Lyocell Drill generously gifted by Maai Design, and it truly was the perfect fabric for these trousers. It handled beautifully and made the sewing process a real pleasure. I have to say, I'm always partial to a twill weave when it comes to trousers—it just works!
Topstitching is a key feature in this pattern, as with most Daughter Judy Patterns. I used white denim thread on the navy fabric, and I was pleased with the final look! My top tip... Take your time with the topstitching. Test the thread colour and stitch length on some scraps until you’re happy with it. If you're using a contrasting thread, this will be the first thing people notice, so it’s worth taking the time to figure these things out on some off cuts of the actual fabric that you plan to use.
However it’s these extra details that elevate the Coe Trousers and make them something you'll really want to wear. For example the belt. It’s another addition that makes them look like really stylish and cool pants. I actually used ban-rol in my waist band and it worked well to give it the structure that I wanted it to have.
So, if you're ready for a challenge, the Coe Trousers might just be your next sew. I really enjoyed the process of sewing these trousers and would say they're as rewarding to make as they are to wear!
If you're keen to sew The Coe Trousers then, don't miss Episode #11 of our podcast on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Google Podcasts for all the details. Use the code SEWINGCLUBPODCAST for a discount on the pattern.
Happy sewing, everyone! 🎉✂️🧵