I've been wanting to create a cargo style pant using the Lander pattern for awhile now and I am glad I finally made it happen. It's the perfect pattern base for this style and I am really happy with the final result.
After looking at ready-to-wear inspiration, I knew that I wanted to use the zipper expansion and also make them a bit looser than I normally go for. I went up 1 size in the pant to achieve this and also added in a bit of extra ease in the hips and legs while fitting the pants during construction. The fabric is a green bull denim that I picked up from JoAnns a year or two back and it really is the perfect army green color for this look.
I sewed up the base of the pattern according to the normal Lander / Zipper expansion instructions except that I only sewed up about 5 inches of the inner leg seam. The reason I did this is so I could have access to the side seam and would therefore be able to sew on the cargo side pocket flat at the end.
For the side cargo pocket, I cut a piece of fabric that was 10"x10". Once sewn up the pocket was around 9" square which seemed like a good size to me. I sewed up a size 8 pant, so keep in mind that you may want your pocket to be more or less wide than mine.
For the pocket flaps, I cut two pieces of fabric that were 10" wide and 3" tall.
I didn't want any extra bulk, so I opted to not line the pocket. Instead, I constructed it similar to the back patch pocket of the Landers. I turned the top edge down by 1/4" (wrong sides touching) and then folded that edge back by about 1/2". I sewed around the entire pocket to add a foldline. Next I trimmed and turned the top corners right side out and pressed in the side and bottom edges by 1/2". Next I stitched down the top edge.
I centered the pocket on the side seam about 5 inches down from the front pocket. Keep in mind that I am only 5'3" so you may want to adjust the height of your pocket to match your height. Then I edgestitched around the side and bottom edges.
Then I topstitched the pocket flap, 1/4" from the top.
That is it. I love my finished cargo Landers and I made a black rib knit Brynn Cardigan to complete the outfit.
