Pants-Along: All Done (aka The Big Reveal)

As my little guy would say, Ta da! Here are my pants all sewn up. I love them! I had set myself a deadline to have them finished to wear to book club, and although I was hemming the legs twenty minutes before departure, I finished. The book club members commented on them before I told them I made them, so that gave me more confidence for future sewing. And no, I have no idea why this text is underlined.


Excuse the wrinkles, these pictures were taken after I wore them to book club. They "ride" quite low, but that's how I wanted them. Plus, they have to fit over the hips since there isn't a button, zipper, or elastic.

Here's the view from above. Lets you see the pretty casing. I've been pleasantly surprised at how well the drawstring works and how comfortable I feel in the pants.
Here's a picture with the fabulous pockets and some of the casing for the drawstring. My front and back did not line up evenly (although my sewing aunt says that is okay). I also had a place on the front where I must not have cut straight and there was a place that was higher, so I couldn't draw a straight line to follow for my top-stitching as Joanna recommended. Instead, I turned them wrong side out and stitched close to the edge of the casing, used my tailor's chalk to trace a line right along the stitching, then ripped those stitches out, turned the pants right side out, and top-stitched on the chalk line. I still have one place where I didn't catch the casing. Oh well, not going to worry about that.
Just going to sit back and enjoy my new, one of a kind pants :) Although, there are a lovey for H and that kimono I've mentioned just waiting for me to fire up the Bernie Mac.

Thank you to Joanna for doing the pants-along. I hope to make more. These are twill, but I bought some chino to try. If you've ever sewn chino, let me know if you think it will work. It seems a bit slick... Anyway, this has given me great practice and great pants, hooray pants-along!

Put Your Hand in My Pocket - Pants-along

Ha! but don't pull out a rocket, or do any pulling on these pockets, please!


What can I say? Toot, toot! That's me tooting my own horn. I laa-uvvv them. Go ahead, click on the picture, see them up close and in detail (C's photography, not mine). When I started to work on them, I got so involved. I didn't eat supper. I left the boys' yogurt container out for a couple of hours (it was still cool, so no loss). I just got in a sewing groove. Ah, and it was a good groove that really worked well, much better (read: easier) than I would have expected. I didn't have any directions other than my own idea of what I wanted, and it turned out just as I had pictured. I've already gotten the casing in, but I still have to top stitch it in place and hem. Then it will be time for the big reveal :)

Pants-along: First Try On (It's all about the top-stitching)

This weekend I tried on my pants for the first time. I am pretty pleased with how they are turning out. The legs are a bit baggy, but if I think they are too baggy, I may make them capri-length. After trying them on, I though the front seam (along the rise) looked a bit too plain (as seen in the above picture). After reviewing Joann's instructions, I realized I was supposed to top-stitch that seam. So, I've done that, and they look much, much better. It's amazing what a little contrasting thread can accomplish. I finished up the butt-darts yesterday, so now it is on to back pockets (hopefully today).

I am so glad I decided to try to make these. The process is really helping me gain some confidence in my sewing. I still have much to learn, but now I know "anything can happen, child. Anything can be."

Pants-along: Just starting to look like pants

Still slow going (surprise, surprise), but I got a little done on the pants-along pants. You know I do like hanging clothes, etc. on trees; although, the wind was giving me some flack. Not complaining about a breeze in August, though.
I wish the legs were as slim as they appear. I'm a little concerned about them being baggy. Joanna at Stardust Shoes has given directions for "butt darts," so I should be able to take the waist in if needed. However, not sure about how the legs will turn out. We shall see, we shall see.

Here's a close-up of the top-stitching on the inner seam. I completely stole the orange and brown color scheme from Joanna. The color is off. Must get C to take pictures of final product, so the colors will turn out more true.Next up is front pockets which look like they require some fairly serious rotary cutting skills. May have to call C in for help!

Looking forward to a trip to the library today to pick up books for the boys as well as this Charlie and Lola DVDAm I the only one starting to think about Christmas? In a totally-looking-forward-to-it, let's-decorate-the-tree-fun type of way? Maybe it has to do with my list :)

Moving Along

I'm headed to a sewing night with Mel and this talented woman. Luckily, this has lit a fire under my behind to get going on my pants for the pants along. I've got the fronts and backs cut. I'm hoping to get some bobbins wound and ready to go.

I'll be honest, I'm letting a knitting project take over any time I have that isn't taken up by reading (Beach Music by Pat Conroy for local library book club) which isn't much as most of my time is spent worrying over or taking care of the boys. Apparently, we've all gotten a cold. Mine and C's have turned into sinus infections. The boys have both coughed until they threw up. H was up at 5:18 AM coughing, coughing, and coughing. I took them to the doctor today. It has been a long day. C started back to school today. No English classes this time! Hooray!

Pants-along

I am going to try to keep up with Joanna over at Stardust Shoes in the Pants-along. I got some chocolate twill. Still picking the casing for the waist and the top-stitching thread color. Here are some pics.


Think I'm leaning toward the orange, but (oh ye of little faith) I'm so worried these won't turn out (not because of Joanna's instruction or inspiration just my novice-ness). I hate to waste cute fabric. If these pictures are all wonky once I post, I am sorry. I am not good at getting pictures side by side or anything besides one per post for that matter. This picture ---->
is more indicative of the chocolate color.

I've got some kind of sinus problem going, but I'm taking medicine as the little guy's birthday is drawing near. Mommy can't be sick!