Two posts in one weekend?! That's a lot for me. Thanks for your suggestions and feedback on my Seattle recap! I'm returning to Seattle in February, en route to Whistler in British Colombia. I won't have enough time to tour on that trip, but I expect to see more of Seattle in the future.
TOC:
I made these pants last November. I'd been wanting to try this pattern for awhile. View B is a straight-legged pant, intended for border prints, so the instructions tell you to cut the fabric across the grain, which makes sense if you have a border print. The rust-colored, linen-look fabric with kanji characters was from a local sewing meetup. (Thanks, Irene!) Along with that came a beautiful cross-dye lavender cotton that coordinates with the kanji characters—I lined the pants with the cotton.
I made a size medium, without any alterations. I added a special pocket to these pants, using my own pattern. I drafted the pocket to fit my new cell phone, a Nexus 5X, which is bigger than my previous iPhone 5c. (Yup, I've finally jumped ship from Apple to Android.)
These pants are a quick sew, so why did I wait several months to blog about them?
Good question! You see, I wanted to make an eggplant colored top, using the Presto pattern, to go with these pants.
I ordered some rayon/jersey (11oz in merlot) from Emma One Sock. The Presto top pattern says that, for my size, you need 1-5/8 yards (58.5") of a 60" wide fabric, so I ordered 1.5 yards (54"). Yes, that is a tiny bit short, but I didn't think it would be a problem.
I started cutting out the top when I realized that I did not have enough fabric. Not even close. Another 4.5 inches would not have been enough.
Shoot! I ordered another yard from Emma One Sock.
When it came, I was involved with other projects, so it sat. And sat.
This weekend, I finished cutting and sewing the eggplant-colored Presto top.
This morning, I put the outfit on.
I like the top, but NOT with the pants!
Sooo... here are the pants with my trusty black jacket.
What do I think of these pants?
They're.... ok. They are certainly comfy, but the lack of shaping is not that flattering. I do think they would make a great pair of pajama bottoms! I will wear these because I love the fabric and I think they're fine, but the pattern is just ok on me, I think.
I will definitely wear the Presto top, just not with these pants.
I met Sandi last October at Design Outside the Lines in Ashland. We were corner mates and often worked late in the studio together. She's lovely and very creative in that quiet way that some artists are. Sandi also makes jewelry. One of the techniques she uses is metal folding, which I tried, with dubious results, last year.
After DOL, Sandi sent me a touching gift; she had made me a beautiful pair of copper earrings and a stunning pendant. These pieces are wonderful. I really wanted to wear this necklace with this particular outfit, so there was quite a delay in blogging about it.
She used a torch on the copper to change it's color. (I found this video on "flame painting" with copper.)
Thanks so much for these amazing pieces, Sandi! I truly enjoy wearing them!
I was so sad to recently learn that Fabric of Vision in Ashland is closing this month. This was a great little fabric store, located on the main drag in Ashland, across the street from where Diane Ericson holds her Design Outside the Lines retreats. Visiting Fabric of Vision was a favorite part of my visits to Ashland.
This store will be missed.
I've been collecting fabrics for my Paris wardrobe, and it's not red and black! (I love red and black, but Margy will be wearing red and black. ;) ) I'm eager to get started sewing my new fabrics, but it may not be for several weeks. To be honest, I'm not sure that I can finish everything in time—I have a lot less time and energy to sew than I used to.
Right now, I'm sewing some fake fur. By hand. I'd like to have it done for Whistler, which shouldn't be a problem.
Have a great week!
Well, I LOVE your pants! The fabric is fabulous and the style suits you (IMHO) to a "T"! And your gifted jewelry is stunning!
ReplyDeleteWe could BOTH wear red and black in Paris...
Have fun with the faux fur vest...I can't wait to see it!
Wow, thanks, Margy! Maybe I'm being too critical? I know, we could both wear red and black, but I'm looking forward to this new color scheme. ;)
DeleteI. Love. Those. Pants!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Hmm... maybe I'm being too critical?
DeleteOh! And the necklace too!
ReplyDeleteSandi is a great artist! :)
DeleteHey Shams, if you have time in Vancouver on your way to or from Whistler, I'd be happy to wander the aisles of a crazy local fabric store, Dressew, with you. I used to have a blog called Sewing Up the Neighbourhood, and have been reading yours for six years or more. Anyway, if you add at gmail dot com to the end of neighbourhood dot gal (note the "ou"), you'll have a way of contacting me if you have time!
ReplyDeleteHi neighborhood gal! What a nice offer! I have heard of that store and want to check it out! I won't be able to this time, though, as this is a work-related trip. HOWEVER, my youngest daughter has decided to attend university in B.C., so I expect some upcoming trips to Vancouver!
DeleteNo problem, enjoy Whistler!
DeleteYou just might be too critical this time round! Loving those pants on you and have jotted down the pattern #. I have an idea for View D. Please pass on my compliments to Sandi for the jewelry she created for you. You and that copper color are good!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wendy. I'll try to keep an open mind. Sandi reads my blog but, if I don't hear from her, I'll make SURE that she reads this post! :)
DeleteI like them also...perhaps in a rayon challis? I think you are used to a more fitted silhouette and these are draped and wide.
ReplyDeleteI have a knitted border print fabric that I think would work, so I may go ahead and make those. Thanks, Mary!
DeleteI think the shape and cut of those pants is spot on! Perhaps in a pain they might be a bit dull but the patterned fabric is bang on. And they look great in the back too. Well done!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mrs C!
DeleteLove the pants and I think they will be spectacular with a lighter weight blouse. Can't wait to see them with other combos.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was surprised that I didn't like how they looked with the Presto, but oh well.
DeleteI love the pants too! I think they look fabulous with your jacket. I've done that same thing - go to great lengths to match a top to a skirt/pants and IT DOESN'T WORK. Hate when that happens, BUT your alternative jacket looks just perfect to me!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda!
DeleteOh, and I LOVE your pocket - I may try to make one myself.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I created it for a workshop I was going to give.
DeleteLOVE your pants, and the fit seems perfect. I too have the slim hips thing going on. Did you sew these straight out of the envelope?
ReplyDeleteYes, I did sew them straight out of the envelope, pretty much. I checked the back and the crotch curve, and the back width, seemed ok.
DeleteI too love the pants and LOVE them on you. The straight leg adds a bit of balance to you well-endowed top half and is elegant additionally. Your eye is just used to the skinny legged look, which to my eye is often way too much information.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patsijean. I'll never give up skinny jeans, but I do like some wide legged pants.
DeleteI love those pants on you! I think they give the illusion of a little bit of backside that you so fortunately lack (unlike most of us who have a little excess to disguise). I think they're a great balance to the uber-busty challenge, too, that a really big-legged pant wouldn't be.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Charade! View C is *very* wide legged indeed!
DeleteShams, I agree with Margy, the pants look great on you & the fabric is fantastic. I love the pocket. What a great gift -- that jewelry is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andsewforth!!
DeleteI like the trousers too - perhaps it's just the change of style that is putting you off balance? The jewellery is such a great gift. Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could choose another bright to go with a black base for Paris - although I really can't imagine that two such individual dressers would look even remotely similar even when wearing the same colours.
Thanks, ML. I have a color scheme chosen, and I love it. Stay tuned for a future blog post. :)
DeleteShame the top didn't work with the pants, but they do look great with the jacket.
ReplyDeleteI love those pants and the pocket is fabulous!! Nice print on the fabric too.
ReplyDeleteThe necklace and the earrings are awesome and so you. What an awesome gift!
ReplyDeleteI think the proportion is off with that jacket and the pants. I think a longer top just a pinch longer will make the pants work. The jacket is fab and so are the pants but not together. That outfit "appears to cut you in half",not a good proportion. Perhaps wear a v-neck T under the jacket with the jacket open. Love the fabric and the pockets
ReplyDeleteFor someone who doesn't know you, they would think the pants are great. But, you've spoiled us with your great makes. Love the pocket detail.
ReplyDeleteI also want to make a pair of long pants with 'flowy' legs. All my taller friends have them and they look great. I'm wondering what the pant width is of the pattern you used. The ones in the store are about 20 inches but I think the look depends on how long your leg is and getting the right proportion. I have not figured this out for myself yet. I do love your fabric, but it might have a bit too much body for that look. And your pocket is amazing! View D of the pattern looks interesting, especially if it's slightly fitted through the thigh area. Love your blog. I'm a new reader
ReplyDeleteHi Katherine! I don't have the pants with me to measure, but the Butterick site provides the finished width of the leg on the pattern info. It varies, of course, depending on your size and the view you select. Look for "Width, each leg" on this page: http://butterick.mccall.com/b5893-products-44970.php?page_id=368
ReplyDelete