Tuesday, May 28, 2013

My Pantsophobia is CURED!!!!!

Well what a successful pants-making weekend!

I started out on Saturday morning with three possible patterns...


The obvious choice would be the Gertie pattern in the middle, since I could cut it to my size.  But no, I decided on the vintage pattern on the right.  It wasn't my size but it wasn't out by much so I figured I'd go for it.  Besides, the shape at the bottom of the leg is interesting.

I started by tracing the pattern and adding what I thought I needed at the waist and hips.  Then I took out a vintage bedsheet that someone had given me (I can't use it for anything else due to the mildew stains that I can't get out) and cut out a muslin and sewed it up.  Here is what I ended up with...

Excuse the nasty selfie and the complete lack of hair and makeup

Well the waist fit just fine, but the hips!!!  They looked like an old fashioned pair of jodphurs!!!

I got out the pins and started work on one of the legs.  I couldn't take both the front and the back in the same because the seam would be in the wrong place.  Instead I had to take a heap out of the back piece, and some out of the front around my belly.  I drew some lines where the pins were, cut the seams apart trimmed to my texta lines, then layed the adjusted fabric over the paper pattern.  I then cut the pattern to match the fabric (plus seam allowance)

See how much I removed from the back hip and thigh area!!

Then I got to cut out my fashion fabric!  I chose the fabulous lilac and black plaid fabric that I purchased whilst on holidays in LA for $2/yd.


So then not only was I challenging myself by making pants, I was challenging myself to match up the plaid pattern!

Honestly they went together easily!  I drafted up a waistband and put that on too.  And I added a metal zipper to the left side that goes all the way to the top of the waistband (new technique to me that I made up as I was going along)(and yes I know that I owe you guys a zipper tutorial).  After that I put them on and realised I had to make one more adjustment.


Yes, when I sat down I realised that the pants were a leeeeeetle bit tight around the calves.  Poo!  So there went the lovely decorative edging.  Instead I just hemmed them and put a 2" split in the outside seam.  Problem solved.

And here they are.


I want to say two things about this photo:
a) how good is my plaid matching!!!!!
b) I promise never EVER to complain about the size and shape of my butt again!!!!
Wait - three things...
c) crap my hair is so long!!!!

 Hubby's only comment is that they aren't as tight as my normal pants.  My response was that since its not stretch fabric, I need to have space to walk and sit.  They are amazingly comfortable actually, and I'm looking forward to getting out some better quality fabric making a few more pairs.

I never thought I would say that!

Anyone else have pantsophobia???

Beccie
xxx

23 comments:

  1. I have pantsophobia because usually the crutch ends up way too low and it can't be altered. Yours look great Beccie! Why did you add a waistband? I kinda like the look of no waistband at the top.

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    1. Habit??? hahaha
      But you're right, I think the no waistband look would work better and I think I'll go that way with my next pair :) Just put a facing on instead for a neat finish at the top :)

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  2. They look great on you, but I agree, too, no waistband for the next one.
    As for the pantsophobia, well, I didn't have time to have it :D I've been sewing for almost two years and last year I made myself a pair of shorts from a Simplicity pattern. And I had to match plaids, too! Once I figured out my size, it went pretty easy.
    Now I'm finishing a pair of Burda skinny jeans, and I have metal-zipper-phobia, I am scared of that, and it's only one seam away!!
    Mary

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    1. Well these have a metal zipper, and it was just the same as a nylon zipper to put in for me. Nothing to be frightened about Mary!

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  3. i know! that was the first thing i noticed when i looked at back view - look at that lovely mane of hair! I definitely have pants phobia. i mean, you know how much i'm struggling with fitting my bust...my thighs are going to be horrid to fit. jeans neveer fit me because if it's big enough to fit over my thighs (and maybe butt? but i think mostly thighs) then it's way too big in the waist. and the crotch always seems too short too. ugh! i think i'm breaking out in hives just thinking about the mods id have to figure out! :P lol. you did great though! when i saw pic up top i thought, oh no, tel me she didnt make a pair of jodphurs... :/ i was counting on beccie to find a cute pair of pants, not jodphurs lol! so i was glad to see it was just a miscalculation ;)
    so i'm curious, once you make a muslin and then change it up a ton like you did, you dont remake the muslin first to double check before tackling your fashion fabric?

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    1. I suppose thats the beauty of making your own clothes Rebecca. If you can work out the best way to adjust the pattern, you can make things that DO fit you and not have to buy stuff off the rack that DOESN'T fit you. I've heard good things about this book: http://www.amazon.com/Fit-Real-People-Clothes-Pattern/dp/0935278656 maybe check it out.

      Yep, there was no way I was wearing pants that look like that first attempt! hahaha but I had to include a pic of them :)

      And the muslin question - yes, a normal person would remake another muslin to check if it fit. I'm just impatient!

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    2. Perhaps if I'd paid more than $2/yd for the fabric and didn't have 5 yards of it I would have checked. If I was making it out of something REALLY expensive, or something vintage I would definately have checked!!!

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  4. I do! Pants/jeans hate me as I have no waist length. I have a couple of Freddies jeans but the waists are so high I feel like an Oompaloompa. One day I will have a tummy flat enough for cigarette pants!

    You look killer in yours!

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    1. Thanks - I'm totally in love with them. Thinking of making a velvet pair...

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  5. They look great! I've just made 2 pairs from the Gertie pattern and they were great to make too. I made a black denim pair and I've hardly taken them off in the 2 weeks since. It's a good feeling when you make trousers that fit perfectly, isn't it?

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    1. It sure is!!! Especially when you were previously frightened to sew them :) And I'm glad the Gertie pattern is a good one, I'll no doubt take it on one day :)

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  6. Great pants! Plaid make almost any bum look great ;)

    I have a slight pantsophobia too, mainly because of my height and my strong buttocks paired with narrow hip - ready made pants never fit right and even making my own is a stuggle. Swing pants are OK, but I would like to have some tighter pedal pushers like yours. I guess I just have to keep on trying :)

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    1. Did you see the book I recommended to Rebecca above??? It is supposed to be brilliant on helping with fit - it might help you :)

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  7. I love them! You did a great job and look fabulous!

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  8. I love pants! Yours are really spectacular. So impresed with the plaid matching.

    I do have plaidophobia. :)

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  9. Love the plaid pair!!! I can't say I can't a pant phobia, my phobia is more like knitting or crocheting a sweater from scratch. Eeek!

    The Fictionista
    {sean-mackenzie.blogspot.com}

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    1. Knitophobia then! I think I have that too - I wouldn't know where to start!

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  10. They look phenomenal!!!! You did great on the fit!

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  11. wonderful job matching the plaid! too bad about the decorative hem, that would have looked really nifty. they still look great though. plaid is amazing.

    and yes I have a pants phobia too, though I keep telling myself I don’t, and buying pants patterns that then sit in my pattern drawer for... well years, so yes I totally have it.

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  12. I have pantsophobia. I have made shorts though. I have such trouble finding a good fit in RTW, that I think I'm assuming I will need to make lots of adjustments on any pants sewing pattern - so it's the fitting that is intimidating. It's not my strong point.

    Your pants look lovely. I admire how you tackle challenges. Another inspiring project! Can't wait to see more of your pants.

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