Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Fear of Pants

I am afraid of making pants (trousers for all you foreigners). I think they are complicated, scary and confusing. I decided the only way to overcome my fears is by making lots of them, different kinds, different patterns, different alterations. I will find the perfect pair of pants for me!

With this goal in mind I decided to break out an interesting pants pattern I had bought a couple years ago: Vogue 1050.
V1050
Vogue 1050
It lured me in with its cool contrast pleat and flowing legs.
I had just gotten some vibrant green fabric in a loose weave that should be very cool for the summer and decided to give this pattern a go. After reading all the PatternReview reviews I decided to not do the inset pleat to make a more wearable everyday look. I also wanted something without zippers, easy to pull on and off and something I could adjust, depending on where my infusion set was placed. Yes, I'm a Type 1 Diabetic with an OmniPod pump.

Look away all squeamish people! When this is attached to my stomach
any kind of pressure on it drives me crazy. 
Trusting the advice on PatternReview I omitted the zipper and cut the elastic shorter than the pattern said. I made it as tight as I could yet still be able to pull it over my hips.


While I do feel this leans closer towards classy pajama bottoms than classy travel wear, they are very comfortable and adjustable which was what I was going for.
Come sort patterns in your pjs with me!! Any takers?
You can see the side seam bunches here but
it's not that noticeable when your shirt covers it
and you are busy living life.
I really like the loose, wide leg pant; much less fitting issues, but my mother thinks I need to make something that will show my legs a little more. I do need to figure out how to make skinny jeans for my billowy tunic tops so maybe that will be next on the agenda.
I probably won't be making this pattern again since it's a bit fancy for pajama pants and I have no "Tissue Faille or Lightweight Crepe"stashed to make a classy pair like on the pattern cover. It's gotten me ready to tackle zipper insertion in pants again. I just need to decide on a fly front, invisible zipper or side zipper? Do you have a preference?

15 comments:

Cation Designs said...

I think we all get scared of making pants! I totally get you on the "well, that turned out to be classy pajama pants" feeling, too. Still, as long as they're functional, that's a win, right?

I feel like fly fronts strike most people as "real" pants...whenever I've made side or invisible zipper pants in the past, my husband has been really confused and thought that they looked weird. But then, that might just be him :)

Borsmenta said...

I'm also scared of pants for whatever reason, although they are always classified as medium on the 'Burda scale'.
I made a few, and most turned out to actually fit very well but still.
I have a classic 5-pocket pair of pants on my agenda for this summer - hope it will come out well besides the comfy pants I already made.

Borsmenta said...

I find invisible side zippers are the easiest to make but have to agree with Cation that fly front is the real thing :)

Zoë said...

I have never made pants before and don't plan on it any time soon. Pants patterns make me run away and hide unless they are elasticated pyjama or baby pants. I would wear those pants around the house, they look really comfortable :)

EmSewCrazy said...

Yes, functional is definitely a win at this point. I'm really afraid you are right about the fly front theory....

EmSewCrazy said...

Ooh good luck on your pants this summer. Sounds like they will be classy when they are done.
Invisible zippers are some of my favorites to put in. Maybe once I get all the fly front steps in my head it won't be a scary big deal any more...

EmSewCrazy said...

Thanks, they are very comfortable. Keep sewing and someday you'll be confident enough to tackle pants too. (not that I'm confident but just ready to tackle them)

Sarah Liz said...

Pants are not hard to make, it's mastering the fit and learning how to do all the fiddly bits,so don't run away from them :)

EmSewCrazy said...

Thanks! I have decided I will master them. You have a lot of great info on your blog.

Anonymous said...

I think these are cute! I also have a fear of pants. My very first sewing project from a pattern was (is) a Burda pants pattern rated a 4 (advanced). They had fly front, back welt pockets, and front pockets. I was taking a beginner sewing class and the instructor was so nonchalant about the fact that they would not be too difficult. Well, my goodness, I have been working on them for months, with the help of a community centre sewing group that I attend. They were truly the hardest things I have ever sewn, BUT having said that, I think it's more of just the 'first cut is the deepest' syndrome, as once you do it and learn it, I think it will then be SO MUCH LESS scary next time. Although have to agree with SarahLizSew Style, the fit and altering is difficult. My pants, so far fit really well everywhere except the waistband. Sigh.....

Carolyn said...

These look gorgeous for elegant lounging around in. You are so right, the best way to learn is to keep on making more. You'll be surprised how quickly they get easy for you.

EmSewCrazy said...

Thanks. I'm hoping they get easier because I really like the fit I get when I do it correctly. And I don't want to dread pants making for the rest of my life.

EmSewCrazy said...

Yep, I'm hoping as I keep making them they will get easier. Good luck on your pants. Sounds like once you get them done regular pants will be a piece of cake!

Unknown said...

I'd come and sort patterns in my pj's, lol!
I'm a hand picked zipper kinda girl seeing as you asked! In relation to skinny jeans, why not thrift some and skinnify them to fit? ALL of my jeans were thrifted and then made into skinnies. I'm slightly obsessed! If you need any tips, drop me a line!
Px

EmSewCrazy said...

Yeah! Patterns & PJS are on! :D
Hand picked zippers that I've seen look fabulous! Good choice.
The problem with any RTW jeans is they aren't long enough for me which is one of the reasons why I started sewing them in the first place. Would you use the same steps to skinnify a pattern as you would the actual jeans? I really like all your skinnies...