Monday, March 26, 2012

You Are Not Alone

 Booyah, pantalones.

Don't adjust your monitors, my friends.  These really are hot pink, pleated linen pants.  
Hot. Pink.

I bought this linen last summer.  It was described as "coral" when I ordered it online.   I was a little shocked when it came.  Not that I don't like hot pink, but it just wasn't what I expected.   I guess the color could be considered coral.  Maybe electric coral.  I decided it wouldn't be too huge of a loss if I failed at my third attempt at pants (fourth? fifth? I've lost count).


Now before you go all congratulatory on me, I want to you to know that I was not alone in the making of this hot pink wonder.  I had help.



Do you know StephC over at 3 Hours Past the Edge of the World?  Well, after my first rant on how difficult pants are, Stephanie sent me an email asking if I would be interested in testing her custom pants block service.  Yes, that's right.  She was asking me if I would help her test her service.  I asked if she had the 'who was helping whom' mixed up.  We all know I needed some major pants fitting help.

The service works like this: You send Stephanie your measurements.  She drafts you a custom pants block, basically a wide leg pair of bermuda shorts.  I'll spare you the muslin photos (or spare myself).  You email back and forth for a bit and fix some fit issues.  Then, you use your pants block to alter existing patterns.

These pants are from Simplicity 2477, which is out of print now.   I made view A.  I was super impressed with the pattern, which is not usually the case with some of the Simplicity patterns I've sewn before.  I thought it was drafted really well.  I decided on the pleated version which is so unlike me.  I don't think I own a pair of pleated pants, other than the wide leg ones I made a couple of summers ago.  That was a lucky make, by the way.  I was swayed by the illustration on the front cover.  In this linen, I imagined these to be long, fun and flowy- more of a palazzo silhouette.  I think they ended up long and fun, but more of a classic trouser silhouette.  The legs are pretty straight.  I left off the faux flap and added a couple of belt loops at the center back.  I also underlined every piece with some cotton broadcloth I had in my stash that just happened to be the exact same color.



Anyway, I used the pants block Stephanie so kindly drafted and fixed a few things before I made these up.  No muslin, my friends.  Just some careful prep.   If I was a good blogger I would have taken a picture of my pants block versus the pattern.  But I didn't.  So you'll have to take my word on the changes I made.   There wasn't a huge difference in the crotch curve.  The pattern was pretty close to my block.  But I did have a bit of an extension on the back crotch curve.  According to the block I needed to go up a size then make some major changes above the hip.   I changed the side and center back seam the most above the high hip line.   I totally changed the shape of the side seams.  And I took in the darts about 1/4" each.  I also angled the center back seam quite a bit.  Essentially I created another dart at the back, I just did it while I was sewing the seam.

It's not completely perfect, but it's close, right?  I see some wrinkles in the back view photo above.  Some of those are due to my shirt being tucked in.   The only issue that still bugs me a bit is some extra fabric at the center front seam.  I took in the back seam so much above the hip that I think I probably needed to angle the front seam in some.  Only there's a fly there.  Hmmm.  There will always be things to improve on.  But I'm not going to let that rain on my hot pink parade right now.


Originally I sewed cuffs at the bottom.  But I didn't like the length.  So I took the cuffs out and hemmed them loooooonnng.  I have to wear some pretty substantial heels.

One more bit of awesomeness about these pants- I used Debbie Cook's jeans fly tutorial. How freakin' amazing. If you haven't tried her method yet, do it. You'll be astounded at how fabulous your fly turns out. I pestered J about a zillion times to check out my fly after I sewed it up. He didn't understand, but I know you will. I'm not even embarrassed about my fiddly stitching above. Or my mismatched zipper.



There it is!  I feel like I can at least credit myself with one win against pants making now.  I can see these in the heat of summer with a blouse-y tank top.  I'll have to make one of those.  I think I may even try wearing them more beach bum style with flip flops.  I can roll up the hem.  They are linen after all.  I'll have to embrace the wrinkle.

Woot woot!
Hope everyone has a great week.


43 comments:

  1. These are fantastic! I love the hot pink color, and they fit so well. Nice job! :]

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  2. The fit is perfect! And I love the colour - they'll be perfect for summer.

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  3. Those look amazing! Great job (to you and Steph!)

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  4. I'm so glad you beat that pants demon! They look great. And the fly! aMAZing. (I just used that very same fly tute, love it!) But isn't it funny, once you have trousers that fit well, have a nice fly, AND you made them, you start noticing every stinking little wrinkle?

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  5. Nice pants! And that's a great colour.

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  6. These look so great! I looked and looked, I don't see what you're talking about on the front... I love them!

    You really *did* help me, you know. I just had a mad idea and wasn't sure if it would work. I'm so pleased for you that it did. :) The pink so so pretty.

    It's possible to use it for closer fit pants, as well... The main thing is to keep the grainlines parallel and fix the crotch curve... If the pants or trousers are slimmer than the block, that's fine.. The crotch curve and rise are the most important aspects.. When I used my block for stretch, I basically just took out the ease in the side seams so it was set at zero ease. That worked well.

    Anyway, gorgeous work. Looks like they'll be lovely and flowy and cool for hot weather. :)

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    1. Thanks! If I get credit for a point, then you definitely get the assist!

      I think the extra fabric in front is more noticeable in real life rather than photos. It's also something I noticed on my failed attempts. There's just something there with the center front seam. Not anything major, but one day I'll figure something out. I think the pleats help.

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  7. OMG, they are so amazing. I was trying on bright chinos in a store yesterday and decided that bright pants (except for my red jeans) aren't made for me but you should definitvely think about making some more. Maybe an electric blue or a mint green?! Those pants suit you so well and I like your styling a lot.

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    1. I can't stop thinking about a minty green pair now.

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  8. Congrats!!!
    I'm glad to know there's light at the end of the tunnel, because I just failed at my first pair of jeans, and the loose capris I just made don't look great either... (sigh!)
    :-)

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    1. There is a light! Definitely. Although I don't think I'm totally out of the tunnel yet ;)

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  9. The pants are amazing, and I love that bright pink.

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  10. Very fancy pants. They'll brighten up anyone's day. You look like you're channeling colour-blocking with the yellow belt against the pink pants.

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    1. Thanks! My shirt is actually a pale yellow, too, but it looks pretty white in these photos.

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  11. The fit is spot on! You girls cracked it!

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  12. Thanks so much ladies! I knew you'd all be as excited as I am ;)

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  13. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. You never make a bad thing.

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    1. No, I never SHOW you the bad things I make. Lol!

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  14. Those are great! You should be proud. Love the pink.

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  15. They look wonderful! and i love the colour.

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  16. Wonderful! Smug face allowed! :)

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  17. Amazing! I have some hot pink twill similar to this reserved for trousers! They are fabuloso!

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  18. I followed the link from Steph's blog - those are gorgeous pants! They look beautiful on you and I love the shirt you paired with them.

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  19. I LOVE them!!! The colour is amazing and the fit is terrific! I think I need some hot pink pants, too :)

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  20. They're gorgeous!!! I LOVE the hot pink, it's a great colour for summer, and linen is always perfect!! You look great in them.
    Just sewed up my pants block from Stephanie (3hourspast) and can't wait to get them fitted.

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  21. I agree with everyone else - those pants are fantastic. well done to you( and Steph)

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  22. I love these. Fantastic. Want some now.

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  23. Totally Awesomness in a pants packet!

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  24. Oh these are just the best! best color, best fit, best smug expression! and best flower button! hurrah for you and for Steph's pants block service!

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  25. those are some great fitting pants and i LOVE the hot pink.

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  26. So cool!!!! Everyone should take note: hot pink linen pants totally work. Well done you on conquering them. And really I need to be more brave with colour, they are fab

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  27. All I can say is that you don't look nearly smug enough. What excellent trousers. I love the flower button.

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  28. I adore wide legged trousers, and these are just stunning! They look so comfy and chic at the same time. The flower button is really cute. I love the details you add to your garments.

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  29. These are great, just love the fit and the colour! Well done! (Steph helped me with a skirt recently, she's fab!) X

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  30. Oh, awesome! So glad both that the pants worked out and that Steph's service helped!!! They look awesome fun... I kinda want hot pink pants now. Hmm, I seem to be having pink issues.

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  31. Oh wow, they look amazing! Very well fitting! I love the color and the whimsical button!

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  32. Those are fantastic! And believe me, I know from horrifying pants. Love the color and the wide leg--they are retro without being too much.

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  33. These are fabulous! You look like a person who's never had a thought about pants fitting (:

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  34. These are amazing! i love the hot pink combined with the wide legs, and you must be so excited about getting the fit right! congratualtions, and well done!:-)

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  35. What a fabulous fabulous color! Especially with the yellow shirt. I cannot give you enough kudos and Bravo's!

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  36. Wow these are fantastic! I know exactly what you mean about the fly front. Perfect. Congratulations.

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  37. I've been meaning to congratulate you on these great looking pants a while now. They look fab -- I've been dreaming of palazzo style, linen pants for a while now too, how fun!

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