Flint wide-legged trousers

I've finished teaching until the Fall (!!), but a few months ago, I was in need of some work-appropriate items.  Enter the Flint trouser by Megan Nielsen.  This style is a bit of a departure for my normal slim-legged pant wardrobe, but it's kind of refreshing (and certainly comfortable).  

The pattern itself is simple, as far as pants go.  There isn't a zipper, so to open the waistband, there's a clever opening system (buttons at the side, which transition into the pocket). 

Since I was kind of loving the sailor-inspired buttons on the side, I matched them on the other side, complete with non-functional "buttonholes".

The legs are definitely wide, and the width starts at the butt.  I need to somehow reduce the crotch length a bit for the next go around, since there's a little *extra* fabric in there.

And for the record, the back seam is sewn correctly--I must just have shifted them around a bit, so it looks funny in the photos!

 The fabric (stretch double weave cotton in Charcoal) is from Hart's and is really quite perfect for this particular style.  It has some weight, but is still a bit drapey.  I definitely enjoyed sewing with it and it's very lovely to wear.

Overall, I like the pattern a LOT.  There are some minor fit issues, but the style is fun and different and a good addition to my wardrobe.  I'm looking forward to trying the shorts version, perhaps with the waist bow, for the summer!

SBCC Manhattan Trouser: pattern review

It's Sewing Indie Month!  I'll be participating more officially later this month, but in preparation, I wanted to do a full-run through with one of the patterns, the Manhattan Trouser by Skinny Bitch Curvy Chick.  The pattern is suggested to be sewn in a stretch woven, and I had this drop-dead gorgeous Nanette Lepore fabric from Mood (no longer available--wah!), and well, one thing led to another and now I have some pretty crazy pants.  Crazy awesome, I say!  And crazy comfortable and well fitted, too!

I have to say, I'm always very skeptical of pants patterns, so I made a true muslin before cutting into my Nanette Lepore, in a straight size 4.  The fit was pretty good to start, though a bit shorter rise overall than I prefer, so I added about 1/2" in both the front and back rise.  I can't lie, even after the muslin and fit adjustments, up until the point at which I sewed on the waistband, I was pretty worried. But with the waistband in place, they fit beautifully!  Bravo, SBCC!

The original pattern has the front slash pockets, but I added welt pockets in the back for good measure. I'll be posting a full tutorial and pattern for these welt pockets later in the month.

Matching up the pattern didn't go quite as well as I had hoped for the welts, but I learned a lot!

I always have trouble sorting through fly zipper instructions, and this was no exception, but I managed to figure it out and it looks pretty darn good, if I do say so myself!

My husband was a little taken aback when he finally saw the pants I had been talking about, "That's the fabric?  You're going to wear those?" but I proceeded to point out that Boden has a slim-legged "bistro crop pant" in an even crazier print (check out the pink geometric print!). Isn't loud and obnoxious print the new black? No? Well, regardless, I need to find (or make!) more tops to go with these lovelies!

Resewlution 2014: May garment #1