Well there wasn’t much time for sewing, my sister came for a visit! I had my pants finished in advance so that we could laze around all weekend. Well, except for the 5 km walk/jog we did. My two sisters and I did the CIBC Run for the Cure Sunday. It wasn’t too hot and it wasn’t too cold and it was extremely uplifting to see all the participants and breast cancer survivors, some survivors announcing on their T shirts “18 years cancer free”. Fabulous!
I was going to use my vintage pattern, Simplicity 8740, for my pants, then I realized that my pants sloper was pretty much the same type of pattern piece as the pants pattern and so, I used my sloper instead.
The fabric was called “Aristocrat Solid”, 88% polyester and 12% spandex, with a soft drape – one of the fabrics I bought during my last trip to Vancouver.
To put the elastic in my waist band, I sewed both ends of my elastic together.
I put a mark at the centre front and back and each side of my elastic.
I pinned the marks to their corresponding front and back and side seams…
and sewed my elastic on to my pants waistband – stretching the elastic between the marks.
Oops! Before I forget, this is something I wish I hadn’t done now. I sewed down the seam allowance from when I attached my waistband to my pants. I had pressed it earlier but it kept popping up. I thought it was a good idea to sew it down at the time, but I’ll explain later why it was not.
Back to business, I folded the waistband over to the inside, enclosing the elastic, and sewed the waistband down.
Here’s the finished waist band with enclosed elastic from the right side. See! I shouldn’t have sewed down that seam allowance (duh!) because now you can see TWO rows of stitching, not just the one. Oh well, it’s easy enough to pick out, I guess!
Oh how I love the blind hem stitch and foot on my machine – almost invisible stitches and what is visible is neat and orderly! (can you see the dots of thread?)
Time for some modelling shots, with my sister behind the camera. I have help taking blog photos for a change!
The whole time we were out on the deck, Simon had his little nose pressed up against the glass – howling to be let out.
How can you resist that face! So I let him out on the deck.
Oh a couple of things before I go, I want to say “Thank you” to my sister, my “foot-ographer”. She did an excellent job – after I deleted all the HILARIOUS RIDICULOUSLY GOOFY SHOTS, I was left with the ones I used. 🙂
After I finished looking at the shots above, I realized that I didn’t like the fit of my pants, so after some fussing – mostly tightening up the waist band elastic – I took these two shots. They definitely feel better now, but what do you think? Should I take in some more at the side seams? Any suggestions?
Hmm, I think it’s time for another session of measuring and cutting and sewing a new pants sloper – my body seems to have shifted a bit here and there! (Maybe it’s those 5 km walks/jogs?) Do you feel like every time you make a pattern, the second time around there is still some adjusting to do? Or is it just me?
Happy Sewing!
love it… 🙂 great job..
Thank you!
I think your pants look great. It also depends on how they feel when you sit down. I like your “foot-ographer”
Thank you. They feel a little loose. I’ll have to tighten them up! Yes, my “foot-ograher” is quite helpful around the house. Too bad she can only visit occasionally!
You can really be proud of your weekeend accomplishments! (And of your gorgeous cat)
Thank you! It certainly is a wonderful experience doing the Run for the Cure fundraising run/walk. 😃
I find pretty much every time I make trousers I end up adjusting them slightly differently – one day we will get a definitive pair!
I am not alone! I hope for that definitive pair too… someday!