I took a sewing break after Elliott and I made this weird dragon over a year ago. It was a project that was really hard and finicky and turned me off for a while. But I’ve caught the bug again recently and am riding the wave of energy. Sometimes you have to walk away from a hobby for a little while and trust that you’ll still be able to make things when you come back to it. I got back on the proverbial sewing saddle and got to work on these gingham pants. I had been pinning photos of gingham pants for a while now. I was really drawn to them.
I think this was the first inspiration spark from beccalgood.
I had the idea rolling around in my brain and when I came across this linen Sur la Table tablecloth at the thrift store I snapped it up a few months ago. This fabric would usually cost around $28 a yard, and I found 3 yards for $3.49. The Lord hath provided for my goofy pants project. This is my best tip for people who want to start sewing, visit the linens section of the thrift store. I would have been so anxious sewing this project if I had bought expensive fabric. You need so much room for error when sewing garments and if you want this to be fun do whatever you can to keep it low stakes.
I then had to decide what pattern to use for my pants. I had been wearing this pair of pants that I sewed with fabric from Etsy and the Joss sewing pattern years ago. I really really love the fit. They are loose and forgiving and fun.
I debated buying the Pietra pants sewing pattern, but I landed on the Joss since I already owned it and had made it before. When I made the block print pants the one thing I regretted was not taking the time to figure out how to match the pattern at the seams. I also avoided adding the pockets for the same reason. I didn’t know how to match the pattern around the edges! I made the pattern matching a priority this time. My Mom had this pair of plaid linen shorts that she made in high school home ec and she kept them for decades because she was so proud of how well she had matched the patterns. I now understand that feeling! You probably don’t even notice the pockets on the front of these because I figured it out! It was a very weird satisfying puzzle to solve. This pattern matching YouTube video was really helpful.
Sewing people will tell you that if you find a pattern that you like use it over and over. I think that’s really great advice. I felt a lot more confident making these a second time around. I was also confident I’d have a product I would actually wear.
I worked within my limitations for this. I don’t have a serger which is what a lot of people use to sew garments. I finished the seams with French seams on my regular machine instead. Also full disclosure when I first tried these on after making them I bent over to adjust the hem and immediately busted a hole in the back seam. I quickly repaired it and reinforced the back seam with a zig zag stitch. I’m glad I wasn’t in public when it happened!
It felt good to make these. I felt really accomplished and can see my skills improving. I matched the patterns! I added the pockets! Sometimes I fall into the trap of thinking that I need to have some crazy 100 day challenge to improve, or that stepping away from a hobby for a time means I will never do it again. Which is just silly. It’s also good to remember that I learn the most when I just take on a project and figure out all the little puzzle pieces as I go along, trusting that the problems are solvable and that I am smart and capable of figuring them out.
What a gift!
Things worth sharing
Umm well I’m now married to an EMMY AWARD WINNING DESIGNER! My husband Jason won an Emmy with the rest of the design team at NBC for his work on the Paris Olympics graphics. Congratulations Jason!
I made a cute painting of my friend Lydia’s goat! We are both such accomplished artists. lol
These are my Summer Plans forever and always.
My Shop: phillycornerstore.bigcartel.com
E-mail: halestormenator@gmail.com