DIARY OF A NOVICE SEWIST: Sewing Pants
Lois Pants made with SAFARI Heavyweight Linen worn with True Bias’ Nikko Top, Analog Photography by Sophie Nawratil
Those of you that have already read my first entry ‘Diary of a novice Sewist’, will maybe remember, that PANTS were quite the challenge for me. For weeks…
When I started making my own clothes in February, I predominantly found patterns through Instagram. It didn’t take long for my paths to cross with the Persephone Pants by Anna Allen. Following the hashtag trail, I found a huge variety of these pants and I can tell you – there is a reason they are named Persephone! Everybody looks so HOT in these pants. There wasn’t a single photo where I wasn’t wowed! All these gorgeous booties – everywhere!
High waist, wide leg – I AM READY! Well… or so I thought… Not THAT ready as it turned out.
Lois Pants made with SAFARI Heavyweight Linen worn with True Bias’ Nikko Top, Analog Photography by Sophie Nawratil
The first challenge was buying the pattern. Don’t ask me why, but I was so scared of sewing pants that it took me weeks (WEEKS) to buy the pattern. After buying it, it took me a further few weeks before finally starting… And guess what – it wasn’t that hard! I actually really enjoyed sewing them!
Maybe I sewed the legs with one right side and one wrong side out together, maybe I ironed the interfacing with the sticky side up… but honestly – who cares?! Nothing a little seam ripper or cleaning up can’t fix. And if you read the instructions carefully – I’m 100% sure you can do it too. All steps are clear and very well illustrated. I personally ended up sewing 4 of them by now!
Lois Pants made with SAFARI Heavyweight Linen worn with True Bias’ Nikko Top, Analog Photography by Sophie Nawratil
But – because not everybody likes to jump into cold water and sew button fly’s – there are a lot of cute pants out there with alternatives to buttons or also zippers. For example, for my pants here, I used the FS LOIS Pants pattern. It’s easy, fast and easy to hack and it’s free! The looser fit and paperbag waist makes it very easy to make and succeed!
Lois Pants made with SAFARI Heavyweight Linen worn with True Bias’ Nikko Top, Analog Photography by Sophie Nawratil
As pants with elastics sometimes give me pyjama feelings, I wanted to do something different without loosing the comfort factor. So I shortened the paperbag waist (as I didn’t need the fabric to flip down) and added a tunnel for my cord. And I love it! I can tuck in a big knitted sweater, eat too much or just live my best life.
I hope you like what I made – can’t wait to hear about your stories!
Bussi,
Sophie
About Author
Sophie Frank
Sophie is a self-taught sewist living in Vienna, Austria. If she's not sewing or taking analog photos, she's probably running after her son. Instagram: @bitte.mach.dasLeave a comment
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One Comment
Cynthia Quintanilla
Hello from Texas, Sophie! I liked your article very much. I used to watch my grandmother sew when I’d visit her. She made such beautiful things. She could look at a picture in a magazine and make the outfit exactly. She was amazing. At age 85 she made all the bridesmaids dresses for my wedding. I learned some basics from her, but never had time to become as proficient due to college and work. After I had my children I began sewing for them, made costumes for school, and other school or church activities. I made dresses for myself until my daughter married. I then gave her my sewing machine. My husband had bought it for me when we first married so I passed it to her, hoping it would bring her as much happiness as it had brought me. The years went by and I continued teaching elementary school, had other moms make simple costumes for my students since I had no time to sew. Our three children married, moved to different parts of the country, and lived their own lives. We used to visit each other often, but the pandemic curtailed that.
Since my husband and I are now both retired, I am returning to sewing. I’m very rusty, but like you, I’m starting simple. I’m making a pair of pants. I’ve bought several patterns that have multiple items to choose, so it won’t (shouldn’t) be difficult. I like a comfortable style that is simple that can be dressed up or down depending on the color of the fabric or accessories used.
This is a long post, but I thought you might like to know about my circuitous journey back to sewing. I started at 9 years old. Now I’m 73 and feel like a beginner again.
Sincerely,
Cynthia