Friday, October 16, 2009

Second Pants Pattern, Take Three




I'm amazed at how much stamina I DSCN1029have to get these better and better -- but the next pair of pants will be a different pattern, I already have the fabric: a wool/poly boucle, quite soft and flowing, so will need a wide-legged pattern, not this jean-style cut.
But back on topic:

Pattern: Sew U Pants from Wendy Mullin's "Sew U" book
jean-style pants

Pattern Sizing:
XS, S, M, L

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
yes
Front View
Back View

Were the instructions easy to follow?
well --

it's all there somewhere in the book, just not on the instructions page for the pants (belt loops, patch pockets, interfacing, stay stitching all are absent from the pants instructions page)

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love the versatility, and how Wendy explains how to turn a basic pattern into a host of different styles.

Fabric Used:
wool blend suiting.

Unfortunately, this stretches out quite a bit during wear. While I love the fit when the pants are straight out of the wash, freshly ironed, I really need a belt to hold them up for the second half of the day...

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
This is my third try of this pattern.
first try, stitched as is unaltered with last-minute tweaking to make them wearable
take 2

This time, I started anew, enlarging the pattern to size 14 (it only comes in sizes up to 12). I compared the pattern piece to the altered size 12 piece from take 2, and decided that I still needed one alteration: I lengthened the back crotch by 3 cm.
Then I cut -- and I pin-fit the fabric before stitching the inseams and the side seams. At that stage, I noticed that I needed lots more room -- and added as much as I could, but what I added (about 1 cm, reducing the seam allowance from 1.5cm to 5mm) was not quite enough. Making for a wearable, really tight fit, and definitely not enough room in the inseam/hips.
I guess next time, there will be tissue-fitting before actually cutting the fabric. And then, I just might cut with larger seam allowances, just in case...


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I really love the style of these, and the versatility. And I will probably sew it again, after altering the pattern yet again. Yes, definitely recommend to others.

Conclusion:
The quest for the well-fitting pant has only just started, even though this is the fourth pair I make this year. It's also the pair that fits best, up to now, which is encouraging, as I am making progress.


1 comment:

Batty said...

I love those pants! A gray pant is a staple that goes with everything. Not as harsh as black, and my favorite color for work and job interviews. It looks grown-up, professional, and not like a recent college graduate who threw on a black business suit because she thought that's what grownups wear (done that, didn't get that job...).