I made the Maple Culottes, the free pattern from Mood Fabrics, back in 2023, in a white and light blue checked fabric. It's a 7 oz cotton denim with a little bit of stretch to it, which helped with ease. I got it at Joann's, back before they shut down for good.

What I Used

  • Maple Culottes pattern (free) by Mood Fabrics
  • White and light blue checked 7 oz cotton denim, with a little bit of stretch, from Joann's
  • Pearlescent white flower-shaped button, five petals, from Joann's
  • Zipper
  • Lightweight fusible interfacing, for the waistband

If you want exact quantities, Mood's own sample used 2.5 yards of fabric, half a yard of fusible interlining, a 9-inch zipper, and one button.

The pattern comes with a front zipper and one button at the waist, but no pockets built in. It reminded me of the Zara Marine jeans that were trending at the time, so I added my own back pockets to match that look.

Because the fabric is checkered, I had to plan out where the back pockets and the zipper landed so the checks lined up the way I wanted instead of breaking up randomly across the front and back. That meant a lot more measuring and pinning before I cut than I'd normally do.

Emily wearing the finished Maple Culottes, back view, checks lined up across the seams Close up of the two back pockets, checks lined up across both pockets and the center back seam

Here's a video I posted at the time, from when I first made these:

@designsbyerb

This was also my first pair of pants with an actual zipper. The zipper guard flap was a new step for me too. I didn't plan it, but the checks lined up perfectly right over the flap anyway.

Close up of the zipper guard flap and button, checks lined up perfectly across it Close up of the zipper guard flap, checks lined up perfectly across it

I closed the waist with a pearlescent white flower-shaped button, five petals, from Joann's. I've looked for the exact one since Joann's is gone, no luck, but there are similar five-petal pearlescent ones out there if you want the same look, like this one or this one.

Close up of the front waistband and button on the finished Maple Culottes Emily wearing the finished Maple Culottes

If you've never put in a button, a buttonhole, or a zipper before, this one might be a bit of a challenge. Otherwise it's a pretty simple pattern.

These have been a good go-to pair of concert pants ever since.

If you make the Maple Culottes, tag me on Instagram @DesignsbyERB. I want to see it.