Shorts and what I learned.

I made an effort to get over my FOPS-Fear of Pant Sewing! For years I shied away from sewing pants and shorts. Mostly because when I sewed them, I had to make so many changes. For me making one change created two more changes needed. I made one short pattern that I wore to death in the '80s.  My first pair of pants, back in the '70s, I wore to work, and after I got home I saw that the length was off on one leg and the topstitched hem looked awful!  Because I was able to buy RTW that fit much better, I decided pants were not for me to sew.

I attempted a Jalie Eleanor about two years ago that turned out okay. I attempted another pattern about 18 months ago and lost count of the number of adjustments I had to make. They were okay but I put aside and never wore them again.

I have been sewing for many years-around 40. Skirts, dresses, and jackets were my go-to sewing for years. I then began sewing with knits and found I liked sewing knit tops. But in the back of my mind, I felt I should be able to sew pants/shorts since I have been sewing for a long time. Having watched numerous videos on sewing pants, I really thought I should get going.

Having found Sinclair patterns that are drafted for petite, regular, and tall sizes, I decided to test the Moon wide leg pant, culottes, and shorts pattern. I enjoyed the process and found the tweaks I need to make was mainly choosing a smaller size.  Below are photos I took using my iPad and in a rush to get out of the house to buy groceries.

Front view. Didn't realize one leg was not pulled down.

Back view

I was and am excited that the petite size has the perfect crotch length for me with this pattern. No adjustments needed.

I knew making these that they were wide legs and did sew a deeper side seam from below the hip/pocket to reduce the width. The legs as you can see are still rather wide.

My first thought was to make a smaller size but then went with the size 16. In taking a second look at the finished ease, I should have stayed with the 14 and maybe 12 for the hip to bottom. I am shaped more like a rectangle with not a lot of difference between waist and hip.  There is a lot of fullness in the back and should I attempt this pattern again I would take about an inch tuck in that area.

I do like the elastic back waistband with a flat front waistband. After wearing yesterday, I think I need to actually start at the side seam about an inch below the waist and take a deeper seam to match the deeper seam below the hip. 

The fabric used was a cotton woven fabric purchased at Walmart for the test garment.

The crotch length on this pattern will be my sloper so to speak when attempting to sew other pants that are not Sinclair petite patterns. I have a couple of pant patterns I am now ready to try.

Yesterday, I purchased the Jakarta shorts pattern from Sinclair as this is more of a style I would like.  The next project for me is the Love Notions Melody dolman sleeve shirt. Pattern printed, taped, and ready to trace.

More later!

My Moon-Quick update (Sinclair patterns)

 I have just completed a pair of shorts; the first pair since the '90s. I am pleasantly pleased with the outcome. There are future tweaks to make but what I wanted to accomplish is to sew a pair of shorts drafted for a petite person and have the crotch right without making several adjustments.  I made no adjustments; none needed!

Image from Clkr.com

Back elastic waistband

inseam pockets

Flat front waistband

New post soon with me wearing and more details about the shorts!

Shorts

I have been working, very slowly, on making a pair of shorts. I am using this pattern from Sinclair patterns because they are drafted for Petites. If you have been reading my blog for a while you know I shy away from sewing pants. I have only made one pair of shorts that fit, ages ago, that was a Sandra Betzina pattern. They were the only pair of shorts that fit perfectly. I wore them to death.

I have attempted to sew a couple of other pants/shorts patterns but the fit was not as good as RTW. I purchased them from Talbots in petite sizes and always a flattering fit.  Now that I am retired with a reduced monthly budget, I have not purchased much from them as their prices are rather high. Recently they have been running sales and I did purchase 3 pairs of shorts that will last me for a long time.

For me, there are just a lot of fitting adjustments I have to make, and frustration sets in because one change leads to 2 more changes or undoing a change I made previously.

So these shorts will be my test pattern and going with the size I printed out and see where this leads. I like the look of these shorts because the front waistband is flat with the elastic back waistband.

No pictures to show yet. More later.

BMV?????

I received an email yesterday regarding a name change for Butterick, McCall's, Vogue, and Kwik Sew. I know that change is the only constant in life. I remember when all 4 patterns became one company over time. Those were significant changes but when I bought patterns from them it did make it easier to search all four.

I did participate in Club BMV a lot. It appears that the club does not exist now and I think I paid for a whole year but don't think I received a rebate for the ending sometime this year. I am okay with that somewhat; I did benefit from greatly reduced prices.

It took me a moment to realize that Something Delightful is the new name for the company; plus they added C.R. Gibson. Never heard of this company. I have to say I am not sure how I feel about the new name. It just does not say sewing, patterns, etc.  It is not very defining who they are.  It somewhat sounds like a company for food, ice cream, or even some "adult-themed site". Maybe in my more mature stage in life, I am finding it hard to accept change. Or maybe because the world is turned upside down with COVID-19 and the current state of the USA that this is not registering well with me.

I am curious as to what your thoughts about the name change.