Naomi finished a second pair of pants after starting out the other day. The pants she is wearing in this picture are from rip-stop cotton blend that I got for pennies at the thrift store. I have enough to make everyone at least one pair of outside sturdy pants.
I am chagrined to read what I wrote the other day about how easily Naomi could make the brown linen pants that were the beginning of this escapade. Oh, the confidence oozing from my words was disgusting. Those pants were the biggest trial. I’m sure she could have made them if I had given her proper instructions. (Read on.)
It started out that we ended up with one leg in backward. Remember how I wrote, “right sides together”? Obviously, I don’t follow that consistently! So we took the pants apart and sewed them back together correctly.
Then she tried them on. They didn’t fit! This was because I had marked (on the pattern) the seam allowance as 1/2″ instead of how I usually serge them with 1/4″ seam allowance. Considering the side seams, and front and back seams, this mistake resulted in using up an extra 2″ of room all around! Surprising how 1/4″ here and there can add up to so much. So we took the pants apart again. Arrgh!
The third time we did allright; the pants fit — we sure worked hard for them. She loves those pants.
The next day, Naomi was sufficiently recovered and wanted to make the rip-stop pair (pictured above). These we constructed without a hitch. At least I can say we are always learning.
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“Always learning” from reading your blog for a few months, I’d say for sure you and your children are alway learning….and its catching. I have many things that you’ve excited me to try but this next few months I’m playing Nanny again in that my daughter is giving me grandchild number 5!!:} Blessing, from the Central Oregon Coast. Erin
Erin, thank you for the sweet reply. My goodness, I am happy for you and the upcoming joy! How’s the weather over there at the coast? Nice like it is here?
Love, Wardeh
Doh! I understand that frustration of having to re-do things; it seems like it’s mostly likely to happen when you get overconfident and think “oh yah, I totally know what I’m doing!” only to found that you mis-measured or something. A good lesson in patience! The pants look great though, and I think you only really learn to sew by doing it wrong sometimes, I’m sure Naomi will remember these lessons! Looks like she is enjoying them now! You guys are awesome seamstresses!
Michelle
I have a question about the waistband. I read the instructions for the elastic waistband you included in the other post about the pants. So, am I correct in assuming that after you turn the waist line over and sew it over the elastic, there is a small raw edge left inside the waistband? That isn’t a problem for me, just making sure I have pictured it in my mind correctly.
Sylvia, yes, the raw edge is even with the elastic. But remember, when serged it is finished with an overlock stitch, which prevents it from raveling. I have seen people do this with a zigzag on the sewing machine too. I have not done it that way myself.
Love, Wardeh
At least they were too big and not too small. I hate having to start over on something, especially if I wasted the material.
They look great, though. Keep up the great work!
~Luke
Luke,
That is a really great point. I am thankful!
So… do you sew? Besides tech projects, what do you do?
~Wardeh
Congratulations to Naomi! I am impressed by her skill as well as her persistence!
The pants look great on Naomi–very comfy (good fit) and a favorite color! What a team you are–an effort well done especially with Naomi’s determination! Love, Mom