Do you need some additional help putting together our Akira pattern? This sewalong will take you through the pattern construction with step-by-step photographs and in-depth instructions. You’ll find loads of helpful tips and extra details beyond the instructions provided in the booklet. We hope that with this little extra guidance the sewing process will be a breeze from start to finish!

Akira is a soft-tailored and versatile two-piece pattern collection that offers four great-looking variations: a belted wrap top and a tie-front cardigan with pockets in two lengths paired with drawstring pants or capris. The Akira Collection offers stylish and effortless clothing choices for everyday wear or to wrap up in at home.

In this sewalong, we will be making the Akira capris. The capris have a shorter length than the pant version and measure approximately 38” from waist to hem whereas the pants are 45” long. The Akira capris are loose-fitting with an elasticized drawstring waist and hidden inseam pockets. For this project, we chose to work with our medium weight IL019 PRESTIGE Softened 100% Linen. With its smooth look and tighter weave, this linen is neither sheer or heavy, but just the right in-between weight you will need for these breezy capris.

If you wish to complete the look and make one of the top versions, please check out our sewalong for the Akira wrap top next week.

We’re so glad to have you join us for this sewalong! Follow our step-by-step instructions and make your own Akira capris in our fine linen!

Materials

Medium or heavy-weight woven linen of your choice, at least 55” wide. For this project, we chose to work with our new medium-weight IL019 PRESTIGE Softened 100% Linen.

Browse our selection of linen fabrics and find the color that inspires you for this project! Please refer to the yardage table in the instructional booklet to determine the required amount of fabric. For size 4 capris pictured in this tutorial we used 2 yards of 55” wide linen.

Matching all-purpose thread, 1” wide elastic (see size chart for length).

Tools

Scissors, pins, ruler, chalk, measuring tape, fabric marker, buttonhole foot, seam ripper, safety pin, sewing machine

Difficulty

Beginner

Sewing Time

3-4 hours

Pattern

If you don’t have your copy of the Akira pattern yet, you can order it from our shop.

Akira comes printed on crease-free, professional quality rolled plotting paper with only the sizes you requested printed in vibrant colors. Which means less clutter for easier cutting. Accompanied by an illustrated instructional booklet with easy to follow diagrams and all necessary information about yardage, sizing and supplies. You will also receive a complimentary pattern storage tube and a pattern hook.

Akira is available in Ladies single sizes 2 -24. The size chart is provided in the instructional booklet. Akira pants and capris are designed with ample ease and are relatively easy to fit. We recommend going with your hip measurement as a base for picking up the right size for you.

All seam allowances are already included and are ½” unless otherwise noted in the pattern instructions. Refer to the cutting layouts for your size and view and remember to transfer all the notches and marks to your fabric.

Steps

Note: Prewash and dry your linen fabric, in the same manner, you would your finished garment. This will soften your fabric and eliminate further shrinkage.

The very first thing we will be doing is sewing the inseam pockets.

1. Place your front pant piece (H) right side up and place pocket piece (J) right side facing down, matching the notches at the outseam. Pin.

2. Sew a ½” seam between the notches, beginning and ending with a horizontal stitch at the notches. Clip the seam allowance at the corners of the seam.

3. Unfold the pocket and press the seam allowance towards the pocket. Understitch the pocket 1/16” between the two notches, catching both layers of the seam allowance.

4. Now fold your pocket again, towards the inside of your pant, with wrong sides together and press. Topstitch ¼” from folded edge with a horizontal stitch at the top and bottom of the pocket opening.

Repeat all steps for the other pocket.

5. Place the pant wrong side up. Place the remaining pocket piece over the attached pocket and pin the two right sides together along the curved and top edges. Pin just the pocket fabrics, not the pant. Sew the pocket pieces with a ½” seam and serge the raw edges together.

6. Secure the pocket edges to the side seam with a scant ½” seam.

Repeat the same steps for the other pant leg.

7. Place your back pant leg over the corresponding front pant leg right sides together aligning the side seams. Pin and sew together at a ½” seam allowance taking care not to catch the pocket opening. Serge the raw edges of the seam. Press the seam allowances towards the back pant.

Repeat the same steps for the other pant leg.

8. Pin each leg at the inseam right sides facing together. Sew a ½” seam, serge the raw edges together and press towards the back leg.

9. Hem the bottom of the pants. First, turn under the bottom edge of the pant opening 1 ¼” and press. Then turn again another 1 ¼” and press. Edgestitch the hem at a scant 1 ¼”.

10. Next, you need to sew the crotch. To do so, arrange one pant leg with wrong side facing out and the other pant leg with right side facing out. Place one pant leg inside the other with right sides touching. Align the raw edges and pin the seam in place. Sew a ½” seam, serge the raw edges together and press the seam allowance to one side.

Now that the body of your capris is complete, you can sew the drawstring and prepare the casing for the elastic.

11. Place the drawstring piece (K) wrong side up and fold each of the short ends 3/8” towards the wrong side and press. Fold each of the long edges 3/8” towards the wrong side and press.

12. Fold the drawstring in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and press. Topstitch the folded seam allowances together at 1/16”.

13. Working from the right side of your pants, sew the drawstring buttonhole openings at the front waist where indicated on the pattern.

We have a great tutorial with all the tips for sewing drawstring waistbands.

14. To sew the waist casing, turn under the top waist seam allowance ½” to the wrong side and press. Press again 1 1/4” and pin in place to secure. Topstitch around the waist a scant 1 ¼” leaving about a 2-inch opening in the back.

15. Fold over one edge of your elastic and pin with a safety pin. Feed the elastic through the casing channel and back through the opening. Be careful not to lose the tail end. Overlap the two ends and secure with the safety pin. Try on your pants to see if you need to shorten the elastic for a better fit. Anchor the elastic ends with several lines of stitching.

16. Pull gently on the waistband fabric so that the joined elastic ends slip inside the casing. Distribute the gathers evenly.

Sew the opening closed with the same seam allowance used before. Stretch the fabric as you go and make sure not to sew into the elastic itself!

17. Thread the drawstring through the buttonholes. Ensure that each tail of the drawstring is even on both sides. Sew a vertical row of topstitching through all the layers of the back waist to secure the drawstring.

Congratulations! You have now successfully completed your Akira capris! Thanks for sewing-along with us!

We can’t wait to see your beautiful versions of our Akira pattern collection. Don’t forget to share your pictures and tag your creations with #FabricsStoreAkiraPattern hashtag.