Makin' Pants!

Hello new version of the forum,

Since some people enjoyed my last thread on the topic I thought I would post a little update...

I've made 2 pairs of pants since my first thread on the topic... I didn't take as many construction pics as it would be very repetitive, but I have started to refine the process a bit... I still have a long way to go, but I think I'm improving.

Here is the second pair I made, a vibrant green cotton pant. The fabric is quite a bit thicker than would be ideal for summer trousers, but it was cheap and mainly for learning purposes - although these pants certainly get comments when I where them out!

In the first pics of the pattern, you can see how I altered the pattern according to the suggestion of JefferyD...




Here is how they turned out:




The next pair I made was a light weight, very breathable heringbone wool, very light in color...

A mid-construction shot shows how I've started to use threadmarking or "tailors tacks" in the construction process...


Here is an inside look at the constructed trousers...


Here are the first three handmade buttonholes I've attempted... all 3 are sloppy and the first one is an abomination, but it's on the inside closure where it will only ever be seen by me...




Here's how the pants fit. The only thing I really messed up on this pair (aside from the buttonholes) was the angle of the back pockets... a mistake I hope not to make again.





I hope that others get inspired to try it out as well. If you're looking for a good reference to start out with, I highly reccomend the new "Making Trousers for Men & Women" by David Paige Coffin as a place to begin. The book comes with a DVD that has lots of excellent video tutorials that will speed along your learning.

Have a great day!
Edited by inlandisland - 7/24/11 at 2:49pm

Louis XIV: I am pretty tall and slim, I prefer a rise that's not too low, and my pattern still isn't perfected - the rise on this pair is longer than I want... compounded, that makes the rise on these a bit too high, an issue I'm working on with each new pair.

Thanks for the comments. Lol at the angry backside comment... my wife's immediate response was also "Your but looks angry".