Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! We enjoyed a quiet Christmas in wet and rainy South Carolina, thus the indoor pictures this day. It is still raining. We are flooding. Seriously. Thankfully our home is on top of a mountain. Our area is breaking all sorts of records for warm temps and water levels. Strange to spend Christmas in short sleeves here.
Okay, back to the pants. No. 14 Loose Fit Casual Linen Pants (that I've never made from linen) pattern from Ottobre's 2/2015 Spring/Summer Women's Issue. I've made size 38 in all pairs for me, so they fit me not-so-loose, but just right. The original pattern is more of a cropped pant, than long and skinny, but I like them both ways. This particular pair is made of soft thin-twill-like 100% cotton material purchased from my local Wal-Mart for $5.97/yard. Used 2 yards.
Surely there's much boredom with these
oh-so-basic and boring elastic-waist, pull-on pants, but I love 'em and
they fill a big need for casual, nice-looking basics in my wardrobe. I'm wearing the
Rachel Comey Vogue 1247 top with them here. The pants were made from my lengthened, skinnified pattern modifications from
this pair. You can see the other two
here and
here that were made from the original pattern design.
Love the pockets! Recently found these cute casual shoes that are also comfortable for my feet..... and they match my new pants perfectly! Yes!
Seem's I'm always in motion and standing crooked, so just enhanced the crookedness in this back photo. Wonder if I need to lengthen them a little bit more? Or are they just right? hmmmm, decisions, decisions. I'd already modified the base pattern for a full butt adjustment that was also included here. Goodness, that sounds so funny!
The Canon Rebel t3 has been a fantastic camera for many, many years, but mine was not wireless remote capable and as I've moved into self-photographs of my handmade clothes, the timer setting was not producing well-focused frames. So this Christmas, after much research, I was lucky enough to find a
Nikon D3300 on clearance at our local Sam's Club and have been having fun learning all its cool features. One of which is to frame and photograph by syncing it through your iphone, which I'm using below. I'm also learning that it sucks the iphone battery down fast and it's really better to use the wireless remote. A new learning curve.
And my verbena is blooming. And my iris and daffodils have buds! This is not good as surely cold weather is around the corner and will freeze them out fast. Hoping we will still have a pretty spring in spite of all this crazy, mixed up weather.
And as today is the last day of 2015, I want to wish all my friends around the world, a most Happy New Year! I look forward to continuing to be a part of this wonderful international world of sewing. Thank you so much for enriching my life.
Hugs!
Update 1.04.2016: I forgot to mention that I used Coats and Clark Button Craft Thread for the outside side seam topstitching. I always like to top-stitch the outside side seams to give a basic/boring pair of pants a nice faux-flat fell look.... and it also makes it easier to iron. :) Very happy with the way this heavier, thicker thread looked. My sample example shown below.
Because the "style" now allows one to wear pants any length, from pedal pusher to capri to cropped to ankle length, I wouldn't worry too much about the length of these new, very attractive pants. But the thing I always try to keep in mind when I want ankle length pants is that when we walk, they always look much shorter than when standing and not moving. Of course, other than having a video made, we never see ourselves walking. This bothers me especially with men's pants, whose cuffs should break on top of their shoes, but are riding two inches above their ankle bone when they are striding along.
ReplyDelete(Kinda got off on a tangent there, didn't I?)
The abnormal weather continues all over our country (and world!) it seems.
Sending you best wishes for a contented, happy, peaceful New Year!
You made some great points about pants lengths. Actually, maybe that is it.... when I'm standing still they look fine, but when I'm striding about, they seem a little 'high'. Hope you're staying warm where you are! Happy New Year to you too! :)
DeleteIt's great that you have a TNT pants pattern! We're having really warm & wet weather in our area too. Happy New Year to you.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first TNT pants pattern I am truly happy with..... and it's a good feeling just to be able to grab, cut out and sew without 'thinking' too much! :)
DeleteI know I've said it before, but I just love your palette. You use such soft, pretty colors and they suit you to a tee.
ReplyDeleteYour pants are terrific and a great alternative to jeans. I find jeans less and less comfortable to wear so am envious of the great fit you have developed on your TNT. The other thing to keep in mind about pants length is where they fall when you sit down. So often an ankle pant rides too high (for my comfort) when the legs are bent for sitting.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Years to you too, Lisa! I've so enjoyed your blog over the last year and look forward to what you make in 2016.
I agree with Mama Pea - don't stress about the length. And a little shorter works with the rain as well. Many pants are a little shorter now, in any case.
ReplyDeleteElastic waist pants are the best, aren't they - so easy to move around with.
Good luck with your camera - your photos are gorgeous always.
Tapered or narrow leg pants look good in cropped style worn with flats, but ultimately it's personal preference. I love elastic waist pants, they are just so comfy. You made another good fabric choice. I need to look for heavier fabric for pants. I had to retire my floral ones to pj pants because they really look like pj pants haha! And they are such comfy pj pants too, so it turned out fine!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and I hope the weather improves. We have been having rain everyday for all of December, so laundry drying has been a challenge.
Ohhh rain! What's that?? :) It's very hot here and only going to get hotter. I like your new pants, they look really nice and the length looks just about right. I may never make another pair of pants or a skirt without elastic from now on. So much more comfy.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, got to agree with you and Kathy. The comfort of elastic wins over the less than fashionableness of them. Besides no one sees my waist any more! I always wear things untucked. Love the practical linen pants; they are just right. The length is good, the look is casually neat, the leg fit is spot on. We've got weirdly warm weather too, though not shirtsleeve weather. And we've had the Christmas flooding, and the Spring flowers coming out. Don't know where it will end. With a horrendous cold snap I expect. Have a lovely New Year. Regards, Trish
ReplyDeleteNice job on your pants! It looks so flattering on you. Nice shot of your verbena and can not wait for more pretty pictures from you :)
ReplyDeleteLove the pants and I think the length is quite on-trend. I really must try this pattern. Hope the weather settles for you.
ReplyDeleteOther great pants! Wishing you a happy New Year, dear Lisa! :)
ReplyDeleteThe fit of these linen pants are amazing! One would never guess that they are elastic waisted. Great job!
ReplyDeleteLisa you are an inspiration. Where do you get the Ottobre magazine?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for such a kind comment! And a great question! I used to be able to purchase the Ottobre Design Woman magazine, that comes with the pattern insert, at my local Barnes & Noble. When they discontinued carrying them, I ordered them online directly from Ottobre and every.single.time. my credit card thought the purchase was fraudulent and put a hold on my card that was one big pain to remove. I've subscribed to Burda Magazine now for years and years with no holds put on my cc, this has been the only time(s)..... so I've had to make the decision to not purchase Ottobre anymore and am enjoying making garments from the magazines I have. If you are interested, the only way I know how to order them is through their international website here: https://www.ottobredesign.com/subscription/single.php Good Luck! They are great patterns!! Well Designed and nice fit. :)
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