Pattern Description: The Anna Allen Persephone Pants + Shorts pattern is based on photographs of men’s 1920s-’40s US Navy sailor pants. This is a high waist pants and shorts PDF sewing pattern. These pants are unique in that they do not contain side seams. The front and back pant legs are cut from one piece. It has a concealed button fly, front waist in-seam pockets, belt loops, and two back waist shaping darts. View B: Cut-off shorts. Intended to be made with woven non-stretch fabrics, however 3%-5% stretch woven fabrics can also be used.

Butterick 6901: Fully lined button front vest has back tie ends.

Pattern Sizing: Persephone--0-20. I made a size 4.

B6901--6-24. I made a size 6 at the shoulders/chest, grading to a size 8 at the waist.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Persephone--I used the add-on for a zipper fly instead of a button fly. The instructions are very clear. This is a TNT pattern for me at this point.

B6901--this is also a TNT. I think this is a pretty easy pattern for a fully lined vest. i like that it has faux welt pockets because i would never use the pockets so it's much simpler to make.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Persephone--I like the shape and length of the shorts. I like high-waisted shorts with a slight a-line at the leg. I think it's a good silhouette for my body type.

B6901--I have become a big fan of tailored vests. I find them extremely versatile and comfortable and this one is on the easier side to sew.

Fabric Used: Minerva Core Range Washed Cotton Canvas Fabric Fuchsia, 2m. I was originally planning to make a pair of barrel leg pants. However, due to body size changes I needed shorts in my wardrobe more than pants. Since I had extra fabric I decided to make a matching vest as well. This canvas is on the lighter side, more of a mid-weight. It's nice for summer weight garments.

I also used a leftover piece of Minerva Exclusive Summer Dreaming Cotton Sateen POD Fabric for the vest lining. I had used it originally to line my Bob Trench (https://www.minerva.com/post/235281).

Changes/alterations: Persephone--Since the last time I made them (https://www.minerva.com/post/269702) I lowered the front rise by one inch and slashed and spread across the front leg to add 3/8" of extra space over my quads. They are much more comfortable compared to my leopard denim shorts. The only downside is that I think I might have stretched out the waistline and the center back gapes a bit.

I used the free add-on of front patch pockets because the original pocket situation is not functional. I also added the back pockets this time.

B6901--I left off the back ties because I find them uncomfortable. I wanted to make this version a crew neck but I am not very good at pattern hacking. I had to shape the neckline twice and it ended up being more of a high v-neck. At least it's a little different from my other versions of this pattern.

Would you sew it again? Both of these patterns are TNTs for me. Right now I do not feel like I need more vests but perhaps if I had to declutter the ones in my wardrobe I would sew it again. I feel like I have enough Persephone shorts, but I would absolutely sew the pants again.

Conclusion: Truthfully I do not like the way that these pieces look as a set. I did not consider that the shorts are casual while the vest is more tailored. To me, they do not look like they go together despite being made from the same fabric. However, I will certainly wear each piece separately. I love the vibrant color and both pieces can be worn many ways in my wardrobe, just not as a set.

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