Expand your comfort zone

This fabric has been in my stash since the big fabric market in March. All these months I have been thinking about what to do with it. I wanted it to be special because I like the fabric so much and it's a nice quality. It's a bit heavy but also thin and stretchy. A skirt would be too obvious. I drafted a top a while ago, thinking I had it, but when I took the fabric out of the suitcase, I found it way too thin for the top I had in mind. Back into the suitcase it went for another month. And then it hit me: pants. Not the most original idea I admit, as this summer's fashion seems to be all about flowery pants. It just took me a while to realise it because these pants are so far out of my comfort zone I can't even see them from where I'm standing. I went to work anyway, and here they are!


I figured with this kind of fabric, loose low crotch was the right way to go. I used the same pattern as my other low-crotch pants, but this time added small pockets and gathered the legs at the side. Half of my sewing time was spent working on the waistband. I made a V shaped waistband that closes with two snap buttons which are hidden underneath the big buttons. I ironed on interfacing all along the bottom of the V for extra strength around the gathers. I lined the waistband with an old T-shirt, because I really wanted to save some fabric for another garment. I only had a meter! Big pink buttons make for a funky finish, and voilà! Comfort zone expanded yet again.

Overall I'm very pleased with this. It worked out as I had imagined beforehand, which is always a relief. Although it took my waistband skills up to a next level, there is still a lot more room for improvement. I tried the stitch-in-the-ditch technique on the lining which went well, but that pointy corner was not intended. I left it there because it didn't bother me.

This is officially the last thing I have sewn for this challenge! The year is almost over! But don't worry, I've got a lot more in store for the next. See you on thursday the 4th!

Dance pants

This post was originally called 'Playing with stripes', referring to the three directions the stripes on my pants are placed in - vertical on the pipes, horizontal on the pockets and diagonal on the waistband.

Until I took my pants dancing (unintended) and we had the time of our life.

I made them a few weeks ago, but I wore them a lot right after I made them, so before I could take decent pictures there were stains all over them. I washed them, thinking I'd make pics after that. But I didn't. Instead I wore them out dancing, and spilled red wine all over them. (These pics don't do them justice either, but I was in a hurry and had no time to iron them or do some creative posing.)

It was a 90's party, and this outfit (incl. Allstars) totally resembles how I remember the 90's. You know who also rocks low crotch pants? That's right - MC Hammer. I did some modest Hammerdancing myself that night (late that night), and I fully understand MC Hammer's choice of low crotch pants. It gives you all the freedom of movement you need for jumping and swinging your feet like that.

Anyway, let's talk about the pants! My first low crotch pants ever, and I wasn't sure about them until after they were finished. When I saw the fabric at the market (2,50 a meter!) I knew it was destined to be pants. I used the back of a Burda pattern, but altered the crotch height and the length. I copied the pockets from pants I made a few years ago. Needless to say they are very comfortable, and they can be combined with sneakers as well as with some heels.

Well there's not much else to say really, except that I really love making pants. I'm glad they don't require sleeves, for one thing. I think I'm going with high waisted next time. Yay for pants!