Waterproof Over Trousers

 

Waterproof over trousers for DH to when when out hiking in the Peak District.

The brief was a zip in each leg so the trousers could be put on without removing walking boots.

I used the Men's Thomas Track Pants from Love Notions in a single colour and unlined. I added much longer zips than the pattern indicates and put pocket slits in which I bound with faux leather.

I found the waterproof fabric difficult to sew, but with a jeans needle, lots of clips and perseverance we got there!

I waterproofed the leg seams with Aquasure, allowing time between steps for the gel to cure.

My 'Sofa Pants' (wide leg joggers) from MHW

This month's pattern from My Handmade Wardrobe's Weekend Sewing Club is the Sofa Pants, casual lounge pants in a knit fabric with wide legs and a few variations.

I made mine in a plain navy Ponte Roma with a good proportion of viscose.

I made a lot of alterations to the front and back rise, crutch shape and depth, side hip (which impacted the pockets), took a wedge from the centre back and shortened the waistband. So they fit me now whilst still looking a lot like the line drawing.

It has become clear to me that no pattern company fits me 'out of the packet'. Not just MHW but also Mccall's, Style Arc etc.  So I'm planning to use my successes to build a library of personal slopers I can use for new patterns. This will be slightly more sophisticated than my current approach of pulling bits out of other patterns that worked and then losing them!

And I'll try not to be mislead into thinking this next pattern will be perfect for me, just as it is.

Burgundy floral wide leg trousers

 Yes a change from blue!

Another pair of the full length wide leg trousers, this time in a burgundy floral. Although I originally bought the fabric for a blouse the colour was a bit too dark up round my face so decided it would be good as trousers instead.

Again these are adapted from New Look 6438 D with an altered crotch curve, slash pockets and an elastic waist.

The fabric came from Economy Fabrics in June 2023.

Mid blue trousers

I made these wide leg mid blue trousers (the colour was called "smoky blue" when I bought it last summer).

As before they are adapted from New Look 6438 View D. I altered the waistband to elastic and omitted the side zip. I added side slash pockets. These are the full length version.

They make a nice outfit with the print top from last month

Always good to have outfits, as I've found these blue things don't really go with each other!

Blue Suit

 

I used some heavy rayon mix twill from deep stash to make a simple little suit..

The jacket is New Look 6481 with the hem levelled out and patch pockets added.

The trousers are New Look 6438 with an elasticated waist and front slash pockets added.

Dark Burgundy (Aubergine) Trousers and a SWAP

 

As you know I love to sew in colour families, so after the border print items, I carried on with Dark Burgundy and made my first pair of Delta Cargo Pants by Style Arc.

As I was quite short of fabric I only put the slant pockets in the front, leaving off the cargo pockets and back patch pockets.

Instructions from Style Arc

I had altered the pattern before I cut it out using my preferred crotch curve, but I'd not allowed for the deeper waistband on these so they came out too high on the waist. I cut the waistband off and reattached a narrower waistband lower down to get this pair to fit reasonably.

The legs are quite narrow at the hems (and don't look much like the drawing IMO) so I've altered my pattern to allow extra for the back calf as well as reducing the rise. These are alterations specific to my body so may not be helpful for anyone else!

I do plan to make these again with my alterations and all of the pockets.

I seem to have semi accidentally made a good chunk of a SWAP, the two knit tops were previously made (from the same fabric) but match beautifully with the newer pieces.

Woodrose Pink Trousers

 

Trousers to match the jacket, using a pattern from Burda March 2011.

Here are the trousers with the jacket.

There's a waistcoat in progress too

Palazzo Trousers - New Look 6438

 I used New Look 6438 View D as a starting point for Palazzo trousers.

I wanted elasticated waist trousers, so I omitted the back darts and replaced the shaped waistband with an elasticated one.

I also wanted pockets so drafted up some simple inseam pockets (though I'd make them deeper in a future pair).

I have a non standard crotch curve, so used another pattern I have altered a lot for fit to alter the crotch on these, I extended the front and back crotch depth slightly, and raised the back waist. The result is very comfortable for me.

I decided to use a mystery crinkle fabric, probably polyester - with red threads in one directions and gold in the other. In some lights the red or gold is more apparent, but overall it reads as orange.

This has been languishing in the stash for at least 10 years, so it was use it or give it away.

There's a reason this fabric languished in the stash for so long! When I'd finished the pants, DH wanted to know if I'd got a part in Aladdin. Sigh.

The bright colour, shine and crinkle don't make for very flattering pants.

The pattern is a keeper so I'll be sewing the trousers again in a more suitable fabric - something like plain navy blue or a printed viscose.

NOTE: the legs don't actually flare out as the line drawing imply, they are wide and straight.

Black Pinstripe trousers

My final piece in this collection are some black pinstripe trousers.

This is my altered New Look 6735 pattern. I also added extra hidden inseam zipped pockets.

 And here are all the pieces together

New Look 6216 trousers

I've slightly tweaked New Look 6216 and made it up in some lovely black suiting from stash. 1.6 metres of 150cm wide was just enough. I can't remember when or where I bought the fabric but it seems to be a viscose, polyester and elastane mix.

For fit I have extended the crotch on both the front and back as I needed the body depth. I've also lowered the front waist and raised the back waist as well as scooping out the back crotch. Much nicer fit!

I finished the hem with the blind hem stitch.

In addition to my fit alterations I also slightly widened the legs and enlarged the pockets

Summary of 2023 Sewing Projects

I'm currently working on a coat. I'm taking it slowly but will share once completed.

Today I made some time to look back over 2023, and I sewed a lot.

Sewing for C

I think my biggest achievement was learning to fit my lovely friend C, and then making her quite a lot of clothes once I'd tweaked the muslins and learned about FBAs etc.

I didn't blog everything I sewed for her but it included a whole rack of muslins, 13 dresses, 5 pairs of PJ bottoms, 2 lined jackets, 2 skirts and 4 tees. A total of 26 items.

She also sewed a dress and several skirts for herself

UFOs

I finished off my oldest UFO, another cut out but not sewn up project, and a blouse my friend Sylvia cut out 41 years ago.

Alterations

I notes down 4 alteration type projects - added pocket flaps, embroidery, hidden pockets etc. There may well have been more

Clothes for me

8 turtleneck tops (polo neck jumpers)

18 other knit tops

7 pairs of joggers

3 cardigan and 1 sweatshirt

4 pairs of trousers (2 with front fly zipper)

1 denim gilet with pockets

1 pair summer PJs (jersey top, woven bottoms)

3 woven tops and 6 button front shirts

1 divided skirt and 1 travel robe

This year I sewed myself a total of 55 garments. I acknowledge that this is a lot so I've had a big wardrobe clear out of things which didn't fit too well or I didn't really like, and will do another when we get back to the warmer weather.

4 items I sewed have already been donated, they were me trying a pattern, style or fabric and learning that it didn't work. One top shrank in holiday laundry and has been passed to a friend.

Accessories

Packing pouches for travel, a zipped A3 art bag, 7 zipped pouches plus lots of pairs of fleece socks.

Crafts

Felt pincushion and felt angel

Quilting

3 sets of quilt blocks for the Sparkling Stars Quilt and a little trial of Foundation Paper Piecing

Itch to Stitch Mountain View Hiking Pants

 

These are my newest hiking trousers. I used the Itch to Stitch Mountain View Jeans with a few alterations.

Used lightweight stretch woven fabric bought on holiday in Madeira. 

Put the two back leg pieces together as one.

Left off lots of the extra topstitching. 

Added two extra side seam pockets which close with invisible zips.

Added 6 belt loops.

Teal front zipped trousers

 

These are teal trousers with a front fly zip, back waist elastic, side pockets and a wider lower leg.

The pattern is from Burda 03/2011 #141. I made a size 48.

I left out the front darts, altered the back crotch

This is the same pattern as Navy Burda Trousers and the same fabric as Teal buttoned shirt

Navy zip front trousers

This is my first front fly zip!

The pattern is from Burda 03/2011 #141. I made a size 48.

I left out the front darts, altered the back crotch and added cuffs and belt loops. I would use this pattern again for woven fabrics with little/no stretch.

Three piece Autumn set

 I've just finished a 3 piece set for Autumn

McCall's 6844 cardigan

Simplicity 1467 Trousers (with secret extra zipped pocket)

And New Look 6735 top, with a slightly raised neckline, slightly lengthened sleeve and cuffs!

I'm not sure about the gold in the print so may try to over dye it aqua.

They work very well together.

Batik trousers for the heat

 Multicolour cotton lawn batik trousers, have side pockets and adjustable waist

Not at all my usual style, but the fabric is lovely and thin for this hot weather
The front and back

I wear them with a plain navy tee and flat sandals!