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jehanne_hansen

is anyone sewing pants?

I recently found my self a new favorite pants pattern and I am having a nice time replenishing my worn pants wardrobe.

This new one is such a nice pattern! It is loose, high waisted, and has really nice big usable pockets. The old one also was loose and with nice roomy legs and big usable pockets. But this is nice to have bit of a change in style.

This is such a nicely put together pattern with lots of hidden fit in teh cut . It was fun to make a pattern for the first time and have it turn out so nice. It is a fun and and easy sew using some old school sewing tech.

It has a wide loose leg version and it has a tapered version.

I keep my sewing to just a few things now, but I am so glad to have the things that I sew, especially my pants.

I would urge any of you with just basic sewing skills to give it a try. A good basic pattern and a few old school sewing techniques is good. It wont replace your jeans. But, maybe. I made a pair in lightweight denim and they are made to roll up at the ankle and they are what I wear as my denim. I really like them!

These will be nice in lightweight cotton, light denim, linen, rayon blend or light wool. Just try to find anything like this at a store! unlikely! You will pay for good fabric, too. So it is good to make a trial one from something else. Once you get the fit all down, you just use the same pattern and tweak it .It makes sewing so much more rewarding when each pair that you make is satisfying.

It is part of my idea of keeping it simple.


Now I need a blouse or top that gives me what this pants pattern give me . Still searching for that . I did manage to find some woven cotton shirts on the clearance rack at Kohls the other day. They had three pretty colors, the fit was right and they were on sale for a great price . So, I bought three of them and plan to work them into a basic and simple wardrobe.

I was at the county fair last week and always love the home arts the best. This year I noticed that garment sewing was a small catagory. Most of it was needlepoint, quilts, afghans, knitting, and some crafts. Even the 4H kids didnt have much to show for sewing.

I know it is hard to get good fabric. That is one reasons that I keep it simple.

You dont need a serger and you dont need a top of the line machine to make a nicely styled pair of loose pants with a few lines of stitching detail. And, believe it or not , I actually found a suitable fabric at Walmart! for about $5/yard. I just got lucky.

Comments (16)

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    I sew some sometimes. Mostly stuff for around the house. Frocks, robes, workpants. I like to use chef/scrubs style patterns for those. Easy, comfy, good pockets. I wear workpants a lot around the house and yard. I use cloth napkins, and sometimes make a new set if an old one gets to meh for use. Random other stuff on occasion.

    I don't sew as much as I used to. I used to do a lot of costuming and nice office clothes, but I don't really wear either anymore. And part of it is the struggle to find good garment fabric... and knowing I still have a closet full and then some of fabric I should be working through before even thinking of buying more, lol.

    I have been thinking I need to make a couple pairs of workpants recently. I've got some heavier fabrics I want to use for brush pants. As in pants to wear out back when in the deep brush.

  • 3 years ago

    If you are lucky enough to have some of that old school fabric from back when , you probabaly have some nice cuts for pants.

    I dont sew much anymore, either. Not much good fabric and I dont need much. But,when I do need it, I am so glad that I can sew it1

    I am a firm advocate of getting rid of those things that seem filled with obligation and seem like an obstacle. Having free space and feeling less obligated to finish this or that or make this or that because you bought the fabric for it.....all those restrictions!

    I have downsized and cleaned up and feel more focused on doing one nice thing at a time.

    I will bet that a lot of that fabric that you kept might be something that you know you are not really any longer interested in wearing, or sewing. I know I had that and just had to be honest about it.

    I want a basic pant, a basic bodice, a basic dress.

  • 3 years ago

    I suggest an online search for patterns. I dont go for the old big four anymore, but out there on the net is a wide world of possibilities. There are some very creative pattern makers out there Once you get out there and catch a wave of independend pattern companies, you will be led to even more.

    It is a new world.

    Australia has a creative design edge, I think. I watch several Australian websites for independent patterns. You can get a PDF of many things

    I think it is easier to get patterns than it is to get the fabric to sew the patterns.

    I dont need many patterns and I have gotten rid of most of what I once had . It is a part of stream lining my sewing and I think taht I get more from less of it.

    When fabric became scarce, that is when I started to wind down. For many people, the only way to buy a length of fabric where they live is to order online .The stores have mostly all gone.

  • 3 years ago

    bees....this pattern that I am using seems a perfect pair of pants for exacttly what you are asking. It is loose and roomy and can be made of a nice denim twill, has big pockets. I really like it.

    I am reluctant to name it because I sound like an ad. loose fitting, high waisted, big pockets, generous leg, and they are called "slacks". It is quite popular and you will see many photos of others who have made it.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    I wasn't really asking, I just need to get off my butt and pull the patterns and fabri. Probably helps that it got messy when I did the tune up on the tractor, and it made me realize I only got a couple pairs of cooler weather workpants. I've been wearing the summer ones hard and got brushwork in the blackberries coming up this fall.

    Though now that I'm thinking on it, I do have upholstery brocades that would make fun workpants. Not sure of the yardage. I should think about pulling some leather and making leg guards too. My love could use a set, lol.

  • 3 years ago

    well, bees, you have some creative work ahead of you! Arnt you glad that you can sew?

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    Sure am. Right handy skill to have.

  • 3 years ago

    It is okay to endorse a product you have tried and liked! Look at the appliances forum if you don't believe me! Add a photo of your pants and it would be even better. 😁

  • 2 years ago

    When I make pants, I draft my own patterns, so that the pants will fit the way I want. I generally make them with a fly, belt loops, and front pockets, but I also usually omit back pockets, since I never use them.

    I made more pants when I was thinner.

  • 2 years ago

    When I was young I never thought that I would ever wear elastic waist pants. Now that I am old, that is all I wear and they have to be loose and have big really usable pockets.

    I used to sew those with the fly front and waistband and front pockets. But , no more. Now, I want a lot less structure.

    I agree with you about back pockets being pretty much not useful. This pattern has back pockets and I sewed them in the first couple of times but will eliminate them the next time. This pattern has nice big roomy pockets in the front that hold both my phone and my small wallet with keys . Pockets are essential since I dont like to carry a purse.

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    I like elastic waist on workpants and loungers. Easy on/off and easy to make, lol. I also like back pockets on my workpants- I tend to have a towel or shoprag tucked into one. Sometimes a knife or saw. I got into the back pocket habit when I was in kitchens more. I like just side pockets on loungers, don't need back ones on those.

    I do prefer regular fly and beltloops kind of pants for out and about pants. I use my pockets, and I also tend to wear belt pouches a lot.

  • 2 years ago

    I prefer to have things in my shoulder bag (purse) rather than in my pockets. I keep everything I need when I go out in one bag (which I bought in Florence and is leather), and so I never have to transfer things from one pocket to another. This way I know where all of my keys are at all times.

    At home, I wear pants with elastic waist bands, but I do not wear those in public - they are too much like pajamas. My most recent bathing suit has a zipper and fly, and it could double as walking shorts, but I already have enough of those.

    At home, I will carry my phone in one of the front pockets of my pants, but I don't like it.

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    I definitely want pockets - and a back right pocket is a necessity for me - I even add them to pajama bottoms.

    I'm very curious to see the pants pattern from the OP - is there a link? Did I miss the brand name?

    I used to sew a lot more and made all kinds of things besides garments. Now, it seems I do more altering and mending - along with sewing household items & tote bags. I don't know if I ever need to buy fabric ever again - or patterns, since I have so much from thrifting over the years, and I also learned pattern drafting in college, and kept my textbooks too.

    FWIW, through the magic of YouTube recommendations, I've discovered a very nice Canadian lady's channel called 'Catherine Sews'. She does a lot of upcycling and also teaches sewing. She has videos of taking thrifted clothes and altering them or making them into new garments that are inspiring to me.

    I watched most of this one recently, where she gives viewers a tour of her sewing room...



    Her organization skills are super impressive, and what stood out to me was her attitude that if you keep things set up, and don't have to drag them out every time you want to sew, you'll sew more often.

  • 2 years ago

    Ohhh they even have videos! Thank you, Claudia. I've never (finished) making anything to wear aside from Halloween costumes and face masks. Maybe it's time I learned to sew in a straight line. :)

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    Thanks, claudia 🙂

    Found it - and they do look comfy and contemporary. I have some pants that fit like that and I love them.

    https://sewhouse7.com/products/freerange-slacks

    And last night, I watched this video on her channel where she gives a tour of her HS classroom - I sure wish I could be in that class - we never had anything that cool when I was in school - it's really impressive...



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