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Front view.
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Side view.
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Side view, #2.
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Back view.
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Back view, #2.
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(It’s kind of strange to have your butt be on so many angles for the header image of a blog post.)
For this project I used a medium-weight grey twill. I cut the pieces for this project a few weeks ago, put them in a ziplock bag, and stashed them underneath the xbox (the cabinet that the xbox sits on, not the actual xbox itself). I started these on Friday night when I unexpectedly left work late enough to skip going to the dojo (ugh!) and surprisingly finished them on Saturday morning.
I used the same pattern as before except narrowed the leg. This version came along smoothly until it was time to get to the waistband. The fabric I used this time had 0% stretch (mistake #1). I didn’t label the waistband front and back and sewed the front and back on backwards (mistake #2. When I noticed this the waistband was already serged and sewn on, so I unpicked my stitches and cut off the serged part (mistake #3). All of these mistakes compounded to other parts, making the waistband area a lot smaller. When it was time to try on the pants the waist area didn’t fit! I undid the side seam, made some adjustments to the waistband, tried them on, and then they fit. However at this point it was past 2 am and I was convinced they still didn’t fit and I’d have to recut.
On Saturday morning I looked at them again, determined to re-cut if they didn’t fit, and now they fit properly (?!). I guess my adjustments were fine after all. Hmmph.
Also shown here is the Geometric Sorbetto, which definitely looks more vintage with set hair.
Notes for future clovers:
- Label the waistband front and back
- Find a zipper that matches the fabric closely
- Pick fabrics with 4% stretch as recommended by pattern
This project is part of my Spring/Summer SWAP which has changed yet again and needs to be documented properly. More on this in the future.
it turned out great! I’m glad you didn’t have to recut the pants! Good job lady!
Clovers do give good butt, don’t they?
I like these a lot – the color is wonderful & I love the slimmer fit of the leg. Great stuff!
I think the clovers are awesome on you, very flattering! And I love that color.
Thanks Maddie! I’m glad they turned out OK too.
They do! It feels weird to have your butt on 3 angles for the header image but then again that’s what sewing blogs are for
I wish I’d thought of making slimmer legs for the first version of Clover but it’s fine. All in retrospect.
Thank you Elizabeth. Sewing in grey always seems somewhat boring but it’s definitely a wardrobe staple.
Fantastic job despite the mistakes.
There must be something in the air — Roobeedoo just made some gray trousers. I love these on you — such a basic staple, but the ankle hem and the vintage hair and sorbetto makes it super stylish.
I have also tried to use non-stretch fabrics and regretted it — with a slim fit they seem to bag with wear. Oh well, lesson learned. That’s partly why I haven’t made the Clovers again, I don’t have any woven fabric with stretch. Out of curiousity though, how much did you slim the leg? And did you just draw a line straight up to the crotch area? I agree they’re a tad wide on my leg and was thinking of slimming down too.
Oh these look fab despite the mad 2am finish and mistakes. You see, your subconscious knew what you were doing after all!
Never heard of it either but in some ways that’s not surprising. The only sewing mags available at newsagents here (NZ) are Vogue Patterns, BurdaStyle and Sew You (I think), the rest I learn about online. I haven’t seen this one talked about online before either. Wonder why?
PS I’ve tagged you for a Liebster Award. Dunno if you’re into tags but if not feel free to happily ignore
) http://calicostretch.wordpress.com/2012/03/13/liebster/
Ooops, not sure how I managed to paste something completely off topic into my comment. Sorry! I’ve clearly had too much coffee and not enough sleep, without any sewing action as my excuse
They fit well!
I wore these out on Sunday for most of the day and (so far) no bagging out or getting loose. I also used a medium weight fabric for both of my Clovers, not sure if this made a difference? I made the mistake of making some black pants in cotton sateen last winter and they definitely weren’t substantial enough. I also didn’t need to interface by waistbands since they were already pretty substantial.
I measured a pair of pants that fit well and used the same amount to taper the ankles and knees. I kept way clear of the crotch seam allowance since that part I was OK with.
Thank you Emily! It’s OK, I do that sometimes too when I have too many blog windows open.
Thanks for the Liebster Award btw.
Girl, these look great! They’re so chic!
Thanks Ginger! I’m really surprised they turned out OK after all that waistband drama.
Thank you Jane! Surprisingly they do.
Thank you!