Tag: trousers

Green cord trousers

Vogue 1034

I’m not sure that a pair of olive green cords would have been on my shopping list, but I had the fabric in the Shed, and I wanted to test out Vogue 1034. This time I’ve been able to make a pair of trousers that actually fit me, and with only a minimal amount of adjustment to the pattern.

These jeans are a “today’s fit” design, which means that the measurements are given in actual inches rather than spurious dress sizes. I looked at the body measurements given on the pattern envelope and the garment measurements given on the pattern, and decided to make a size E. For the trial run I left out all of the pockets, and made a very simple pair of trousers.

Once they were ready to try on, Paul very carefully helped me to stick pins in my backside until I had the perfect fit. I graded down to a size D from the waist to the hips, and then made a sway back adjustment. Perfect! Even the length was just right.

The method for making the fly front seemed rather fiddly, and at times the instructions were a little bit difficult to follow. It does make a lovely neat front though, with much less bulk than you might find on other jeans. I’d definitely use this method again.

The order of construction was also different from other trousers that I’ve made, but this allowed for decorative topstitching on more of the seams. I didn’t add any topstitching on these trousers, apart from on the waistband and fly, but I probably will on the next pair.

The waist is much higher than you’d find on most jeans that are in the shops at the moment, and that’s absolutely fine by me. The back of the waist has a deep triangular yoke rather than a normal waistband, and this makes the fit of the centre back much better than on mass-produced jeans as well.

I have several metres of pinstriped cotton velvet, which I think would be absolutely perfect for this pattern. Topstitched in white, with a silver button, I think they’d be really dramatic. They’d also look great in a stretch denim, or maybe a nice wool tweed.

I’m so happy with this pattern that I may never have to buy a pair of trousers again!

Small Grey Trousers.

Grey trousers

I’ve spent all day working on a pair of trousers.
Unfortunately I have managed to make them a size too small for me.

According to the finished measurements on the pattern, they should be an absolutely perfect fit. Unfortunately this fabric doesn’t have any stretch in it, and whilst I can get the trousers on, I can’t sit down.

Or breathe.

Bother.

The pattern is Vogue 2812, view B, although I left out the horizontal seam half way down the leg, and didn’t bother with the non-functional pockets. Or the belt loops.

They’re made from grey polyester/wool blend suiting (not itchy, machine washable), they have a nice deep waistband, bootcut legs, and no pockets.

The waist sits about an inch below your bellybutton, so they’re not ridiculously low rise, but they’re definitely not bellywarmers either.

I loathe making trousers (well, I hate making the fly front – so fiddly!), but I’m really pleased with these. They’re possibly the nicest trousers that I’ve made so far.

It’s just that they don’t fit.

Damn.

Duplicated trousers?

I was browsing through the Vogue website today, looking for a jacket pattern. I rather like Vogue 8604 – I have a fondness for both cropped jackets and kimono sleeves. The trouser pattern is included, so I popped the pattern on my shopping list. (I only ever buy Vogue pattern when they’re on sale – they’re so expensive otherwise!)

Then I looked at the drawing, and realised that the trousers looked suspiciously similar to a pair I made earlier this year. They’re Vogue 8367, and the more I look at these illustrations the more certain I am that these are the same trousers!

I really like that little jacket… but I don’t really want to pay for a pattern for a pair of trousers that I’ve already made. Perhaps I’ll see whether I can find a similar looking jacket elsewhere.

Enormous Trousers!

Vogue 8367, view C

Here’s what I’ve been up to for the past couple of days – making a pair of ENORMOUS trousers!
The pattern is Vogue 8367, view C.

The fabric is a slightly mad pinstripe… it’s a polyester/wool blend, but the stripes are metallic in red, blue and gold.

I wanted a pair of high waisted trousers for a reason – I have a lot of abdominal pain, so most trousers are really uncomfortable to wear. Because they’re so low, the waistband digs in when I sit down, and that’s pretty painful. I have some pull-on trousers which are great, but I wanted something that was a bit smarter. I think these fit the bill, and I’ll probably make a couple more pairs in different fabrics.

I am madly in love with these trousers, and I can’t wait to take them off the dress form and put them on!

Thinking about trousers

I’ve also been thinking about trousers for a good long while.

I’m in desperate need of some new jeans, as my current ones are both slightly threadbare and much too small. I did try on a few pairs in the sales, but the fit was so terrible that I didn’t feel terribly inclined to buy any.

I’ve somehow managed to convince myself that trousers are difficult, and I don’t like making them. This is patently untrue, on both counts, but I somehow never seem to get around to making trousers for myself.

Here are a few patterns that have made me want to get sewing:

Vogue 8397 – three pairs of trousers with elastic at the waist.

Vogue 8499 – trousers and a skirt.

Vogue 8561 – this pattern hasn’t been released yet, I found it on Marcy Tilton’s website.

These first three patterns are all hers. She’s developed quite a few patterns for Vogue, and they all have very interesting and unusual shapes.

I’m attracted to the plus four-like shape of Marcy Tilton’s trousers, although I think they’d probably work better in more summery fabrics, like,linens, than they would in heavier suitings or tweeds.

Artisan Pant – a Mary Ann Donze pattern for Indygo Junction. I’ve had this pattern for about a year, and I haven’t yet got around to making it. For some reason it makes me afraid that Trinny and Susannah are going to come after me, point scathingly, and accuse me of looking like a mad art teacher. Which is silly, because “mad art teacher” is probably my ideal fashion inspiration!

Vogue 2367 – this is a discontinued Vogue Men’s pattern, which made Paul laugh. He said that the zoot suit trousers reminded him of MC Hammer. Charming! I thought they’d look particularly excellent with a pair of coloured spectator shoes, but I’m not certain I’d want Paul to be thinking of MC Hammer every time I wore them…

Vogue 8367 – I have started to make a toile for these, out of an old bed sheet. I’ve managed to adjust the pleats and darts around the high waist to accommodate the odd shape of my stomach, which is a good start! I’m very short waisted though, so I need to shorten the rise quite a bit in order to avoid the MC Hammer effect with these as well.

Burda 2767 – this is a men’s costume pattern. I thought that a pair of drop-fronted trousers might be flattering, and I was thinking of putting buttons on either side of the front panel, for a sailor-like effect.

The fabric shop where I used to work now has a few really nice wool fabrics that are made in British mills. I might go and have a look, and see whether I fancy any of them for a nice pair of sturdy winter trousers.

Lounging Trousers

My Dad’s poorly at the moment, so he’s spending a lot of time sleeping and resting. He needs to be comfy, so what better way than in a pair of Lounging Trousers?

Lounging trousers

Lounging trousers

As you can see, they’re perfect for lounging on the bed, maybe doing a bit of light reading, and of course for settling down on the sofa for a bit of knitting.

Both of these pairs of trousers are refashioned from recycled sheets. The fabric’s wonderfully soft from being washed many times already. They’re so comfy, you can’t help but feel better with them on.

Get Well Soon, Dad!