Pants, Pants, Pants!

I was fortunate to participate in an amazing pants drafting class last summer, with mom, at Central Sewing in Edmonton by a stitchin' genius by the name of Trudy Jansen.  Trudy's pants class rocked my stripey socks.  I am not a pants wearing girl, i am most comfortable in skirts and dresses but now that I am capable of making pants that fit like no other and I am often seen wearing my wide leg "Hollywood trousers".  If you ever have the opportunity to take a class with Trudy, DO IT!

This brings me to my first Marilyn inspired garment, checkered pants!  She was photographed quite often in these pants, most notably in "Life Magazine".

MM rocking the checkered pants

It was an impromptu project one morning and I did not have any checkered fabric in my stash, so i made do with some black and white hounds tooth.  Not exactly the same but still getting the right effect.  I drafted the pattern from my basic pant block and with a few adjustments to the length and width of the leg I was on my way to a new pair of capri pants for the summer. 

Friday morning pants drafting

Good gravy Artie!

I drafted a high waist and decided to install a back zipper.  I am not a fan of zipper installation, though I am getting better the more I practice.  I think my problem with zippers, is that I never properly prepare for the installation procedure.  I think "ah, forget it Amanda, you don't need to hand baste, just go for it!" and the little voice in my head is always wrong.  When you don't prepare, out comes the seam ripper and you need to go through the zipper annoyance again! 

...ZIPPERS ARG!

Completed pants project

 Back zipper, turned out alright after stitching it in, and taking it out and stitching it in.

And finally I get to enjoy my new Marilyn-esque pants!

I am really happy with how this project turned out.  The fit is amazing, they are comfortable and I am able to wear them for work and for play.  For my next project, I am am going to try to draw inspiration from a more glamorous Marilyn look.  It's in sketch phase right now, which I will reveal for my next post. 

~Miss World