Flowery pants!

Hi there!

Today, my latest post for the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network goes live.  This month I chose to make the Sew Over It Ultimate Trousers (again – they were a very early make for me but it’s fair to say they went rather better this time around!)

I used the online course to make these, as I bought it last year to get hold of the Carrie trousers pattern (worn to death last year, definitely got at least one more pair planned this year).  I actually didn’t use the course too much but I did read through the many guides that are attached around fitting issues.

This means I know what I’m going to do differently next time!

I actually felt as I was finishing these trousers that they hadn’t gone too well and had that really down feeling.  But then, photographing them for Minerva, I realised that they looked absolutely fine and that if they’d been RTW, I would have been quite happy with them.  This is an ongoing lesson for me; by all means note the things that could be done better, but don’t let that mean you write a make off altogether for no reason.

This time around, the only thing I did differently to the pattern was to get some help pinning the back darts.  It’s fair to say that I have quite a big bum and a sway back so I was pretty sure that area would need some assistance.  Mum pinned them for me and instead of sticking to the single dart in the pattern, I actually had 2 smaller darts either side of the centre back seam.

Even though Mum did this freehand, I actually found that we’d pinched out exactly the same amount as the original pattern’s single dart, meaning I didn’t have to make a changes to the waistband facing.

Next time I make these (or other trousers), I will be following the instructions to adjust for a larger rear in advance.  Lisa’s online class phrases it better than that, but that is basically the issue here.  The class includes detailed, downloadable instructions for loads of different pattern amendments and I can see what this one’s getting at.

If I make these again, I will also make the waist slightly higher; these feel rather low for me and I’d be more comfy with a little more belly coverage!

But I am genuinely pleased with these trousers and will be wearing them this summer.  So that’s definitely a big step along the way towards tackling the dreaded jeans project!

Head on over to the Minerva blog now to see the details.

Becca x

Details

Pattern: Sew Over It “Ultimate Trousers”

Fabric: Stretch cotton sateen from Minerva Crafts

My measurements: Waist 30″, hip 41″ (if we’re being honest!)

Size made: 12

Adjustments made:  changed single back dart into two back darts, taking same total amount out

Future adjustments: increase leg length slightly; raise waistband 1 – 2 “; adjust for fuller bottom!

Make again? Yes, with some adjustments. It would be a lot higher up the list if I still wore smart clothes for the office rather than dress down; I would need a pair in several plain cotton sateens!