2013 ESSENTIAL TOPS SEW-A-LONG FINISHED PROJECTS

December 22, 2009

MONTH OF PANTS #3

WOW, there really should have been more progress on my third and final pair of pants for the Sew-A-Long. I guess there would have been if I hadn't been doing some dreaded sleep sewing that I didn't discover until last night. I've been working on fitting the crouch of the pants to eliminate front wrinkles. I'm convinced, as Gwen suggested, that the problem is caused because the front crouch area is too long. After she made this suggestion I pulled out my sewing books to get a clearer idea of how to shorten the crouch area. I should have waited until she emailed me back with her suggestion on just how to do that. I used Nancy Zieman's slide method to shorten the crouch area 1 1/2" back and front for a total of 3". Well, this resulted in the crouch being just a little too short, and a few wrinkles still spoiling the front view.

I though I could live with the "little too short crouch", but was still unsatisfied with the wrinkles. While at work yesterday, I toyed with the idea of taking everything apart in order to restitch the crouch for a little more room (that would involve removing stitched seams and SERGER stitching in the inner leg and side seams). I decided that was too much work - I'd just deal with them and use Gwen's simple solution on the next pair. I was getting ready to attach the waistband AND GUESS WHAT I DISCOVERED??? I had sleep sewn and serged the wrong side of the pants back to the right side of the pants front! They were all sewn together including the center back seam. WILL SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME THAT THEY HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE?

This fabric is a nice quality light weight wool (unlike the last pair of pants I made) both from my New York shopping trip. So rather than chunk them in the dumpster out next to the street, I felt I had to try to rectify my sleep sewn mistake. I was up until 3 A.M. picking and pulling. My plan is to attempt re-cutting the crouch area, stitch and serge them back together with the seam allowance I have left, and make Gwen's adjustment (which is tying a piece of elastic at my waist over the pants, and just pulling them up until the wrinkles disappear, and them chalking a new stitching line around my waist. (long sentence, but I had to get that in there). Additionally, adding the seam allowance before stitching.

Gwen says she got this tip from Pants for Real People. I've started to buy that book before, but kept stalling. I went to two stores looking for it yesterday, and of course I couldn't find it. I'll get it from Amazon as soon as I can because I do need. THANKS GWEN! Now it's on with the show, I'll let you know how everything turns out...
Posted by at

8 comments:

  1. YEP! Pants for Real People is AWESOME. Taught pattern fitting for years - and ALWAYS taught to cut taller at the Top waistline, then put elastic over top of the too tall top, arranging everything as you desire it - chalking bottom of elastic - and THAT is where the waistband goes on. If doing elastic top - might want to chalk in the TOP of where that elastic sits indicating the very ToP of your elastic application.
    Londa
    blog.londas-sewing.com

    ReplyDelete

  2. Don't worry, I am forever sewing wrong bits together. When I try to rush I always do silly things. I am teaching myself to slow down because it saves time in the long run. I'm impressed with your pants progress. My goal for the new year is to get a pants pattern sorted out so I think I will be buying this book as well. Have a safe and happy Christmas time.

    ReplyDelete

  3. If I had to confess to every time I made a mistake at the sewing machine, I'd have to live in a church!

    Merry Christmas, Faye! Wishing you a very Happy Year of productive, great, and - almost ;) - mistake-free sewing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous12/22/2009

    Hi Faye!

    I've made my share of sewing mistakes when I was tired, too. I think everyone does. Most sewing mistakes are fixable. Everything usually eventually turns out alright and I'm sure your pants will be fine!

    A very Blessed Christmas and New Year to you and your family!

    And congratulations on your degree! WTG!!!

    Em

    ReplyDelete

  5. I'm glad you found the main problem with the pants. No wonder you had wrinkles! You'll enjoy the Palmer/Pletsch pant fitting book. Honestly, you can fit any pant pattern using their methods. You don't have to use their patterns.

    ReplyDelete

  6. I doubt if there's anyone out there who hasn't at some time sewn something together the wrong way round - I know that I have. Ripping out and re-doing is such a pain but, usually, it's well worth the effort to get the garment just how you want it.
    Happy Christmas, Faye.

    ReplyDelete

  7. I think I will be buying this book as well. Have a safe and happy Christmas time.

    Work from home India

    ReplyDelete

  8. OMG! I've done lots of stupid things when sewing while tired. You are definitely not alone on this one. :)

    ReplyDelete

THANKS FOR LOOKING IN. YOUR COMMENTS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED!!!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

BOOKS ACQUIRED

  • Pants Sewing Guide
  • Denim Revolution
  • Pants for Real People
  • Jackets for Real Peopls
  • Easy, Easier, Easiest Tailoring - Palmer & Pletsch - Gifted
  • The Sewing Machine Attachment Handbook
  • Ribbon Crafts
  • Professional Sewing Techniques for Designers
  • Successful Serging
  • Making Trousers for Men and Women
  • Couture Sewing Techniques
  • Singer - Perfect Plus
  • Cool Couture
  • Couture, The Fine Art of Sewing
  • Singer Sewing Reference Library - Tailoring - GIFTED
  • The Perfect Fit: The Classic Guide to Altering Patterns - Creative Publishing International
  • Fit for Real People
  • DK-The Complete Book of Sewing