Waistcoat - complete

Well it's done. Overall I think it looks good  so am happy  ...

... But  ...

... It doesn't fit my niece. :-( She has very politely said she's not bothered about it doing up, and it will look fine worn open  ... But it  should have fitted. So I'm wondering if the pattern didn't have seam allowances. I'm sure I measured her right and she hasn't grown.

Anyway, construction was mixed. Some bits really simple but in othe places the instructions were completely confusing. In the end I gave up following the instructions and did final construction based on the Victoria Blazer pattern, which worked fine.

Waistcoat 1

My niece turns 18 at the end of this month. Having asked her what she might want she said 'a waistcoat'.  Simple enough I guess. Starting point was to find a pattern. Being female she needs something with a bit of shape but so many waistcoats for women are incredibly girly (see New Look for my particular favourite in pink!) and she has a far more relaxed look - she's a jeans and trainers kind of gal.

And then I found this one in Burda Style magazine  ... Well found it online and as it's a back issue a quick trip to ebay got me the magazine! It does 'waistcoat' well, have a female shape to it without screaming 'I'm a girl!'

Onto the fabric shopping. It says to use an ottoman fabric. Well I'll be damed if I can find one. I did find an amzing knitted fabric that I thought might work but as it was £65 per metre  ... Yes, per metre  ... I felt that whilst I love my niece I don't love her that much. So have gone off-piste and am trying it with a cotton twill. We'll see if this agfects the drape I guess.

Anyway, first time making anything from one of these multi-pattern magazines. Having pulled out the pattern pages it looks like somone has gone crazy with some coloured pens. How the hell am I supposed to work with this? But thanks to the Male Pattern Boldness blog I tried highlight the pattern I want in the size I want with a felt pen, making it easier to trace. Et voila! Job done.

Phew!! Now onto the sewing.

Trousers - the epilogue!

Well, here you go. They've survived a trip thrpugh the washing machine and an ironing by hubby. Not bad eh?

Trousers - the finale!

And they're all done! Woo hoo!  I think the button holes in the rear pockets are a little low and it took me ages to get round to hand hemming (tried machime hemming and looked awful!) but they are finished  ...

... And they look like real trousers. Hubby has worn them to work and everything! Whoop whoop.

And he's already said he wants a brown pair and a linen pair

Trousers 5

Almost finished  ...

Belt loops were traumatic! Had to cut them out and start again as I simply couldn't turn them through. Took me 1 1/2hrs just to make 6 belt loops - not even attach them  .... Just make them!

But rear seam now sewn, waistband on  ... They fit - hoorah! So, finishing touches to go:
* sew the belt loops up
* put in the fly button holes
* sew on all buttons
* hems

Getting there  ...

Trousers 4

Heading into the end game now. So both legs sewn together and now attached at the front. My first fly opening and I'm pretty chuffed that today the seam ripper hasn't been out and the fly is in the rigt place  ... so doing better (other than within the time challenge) than some of the Great British Sewing Bee contestants! It wasn't too tricky once I'd worked out what the instructions were saying but can definitely see how it could all go wrong in a rush.

Just the waist band, back seam and bottom hems to go now  ....

Trousers 3

Man, pockets take a long time. 2hrs this evening just working on these back pockets. Ok, the seam ripper had to come out a few times which didn't help. And I think the button holes are a bit too low but not the most importsnt point in the world. it's quite exciting to see a fully formed pocket.

But I'm definitely not good enough for Great British Sewing Bee - they had to make a pair of men's trousers in just a few hours. If that were me then they'd be presented with pieces of trouser!

Trousers 2

Well I got down to it this evening and started the trousers. That first cut into the fabric was very nerve wracking but then there was something quite satisfying about slicing into the fresh fabric.

So far I've put in the front pockets on both sides and created the opening for one of the rear pockets. I don't think the picture's that good but it shows the piping around the opening. Did it wrong the first time - first outing for the seam ripper, I'm sure there'll be many more! I'm almost happy with this but the hubby was delighted  ...

We'll see how it goes tomorrow  ...

Trousers 1

My husband and I have a tradition of Christmas cracker presents.  we make our crackers and rather than a mood fish or mini plqstic hoop-la we put in our own gifts  ... Or a representation of a gift. Last Christmas I decided it was about time I made good on my promise of making him trousers. He's 6'6" and that height is all in his legs, so ready to wear trousers rarely fit him or he has to spend almost £100 in a specialist shop.

So for the cracker I knocked up a quick pair of mini-trousers from Batman fabric and then gave him tha pattern. I chose Burda 7841 - It looked smart enough for a work trouser but also could work as a more casual pant. This is the firts time I've worked with a proper pattern for about 22 years  ... since school! So it's a bit of a test for me. It's also my first proper foray in clothes making so I know the sewing has to be good, no more 'rustic'!

Step 1 - shopping! Took the husband to John Lewis so he could pick the fabric. He went for a dark grey gabardine. Couldn't find a zip that was the right length so I thought longer was better than shorter. It was a little bit crazy in the shop - we almost had a fight over a tube of buttons!

Step 2 - pattern cutting. Having measured hubby I identified which size to go for, but obviously the legs need adjusting.  I've added in 3/4" into both the lower and upper leg on each pattern piece. I want to crack on but know I need to wash my fabrics before starting  ...