Have you ever owned a pair of pants you fell in love with. Comfortable, slimming, flattering? Easy to dress up or down?
I bought a pair of black knit bootleg yoga pants with an elastic and drawstring waistband in cotton, modal, and spandex. I found them at Target last fall, and they're so soft and flowy they looked really nice with dressy tops and sweaters.
Once they started to fade, they were still nice for daily wear. Eventually they'll be relegated to the gym and finally to pajamas.
Target doesn't make my magic pants anymore, and after several frustrating shopping trips, and complaining that I couldn't find anything I liked - Hubby says to me, "You're so crafty, "Can't you just make the kind of pants you want?"
I couldn't find a reason I was willing to admit to, so off we went to JoAnn's and I bought fabric and other supplies. I was a bit annoyed that my home sewn pants were going to cost twice as much as my magic pants, especially since I wasn't sure I'd be able to duplicate the magic.
I used my magic pants as a template: folding the pants in half to trace onto cheap cotton to use as a pattern, adding seam and waistband allowances. I simplified the pattern by placing the side seam on the fold, so there would be no side seams.
My only prior experience with home sewn pants was traumatic memories of childhood. I loved many of the tops my mother sewed for me, but the pants were all horrendous and baggy.
I finished the pants today except for hemming the pant legs. My stitching on the waistband is a bit crooked, but my tops will cover this minor flaw. I'm surprised they turned out so well.
I was expecting my first pair to be suitable only for pajamas, but they look as good as the original.