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blythelyAfter three separate tries at the waistband (the final attempt involved going from a high waist to a mid-rise to make it all work), and a great deal of eyestrain from handstitching black on black in the evening, the trousers are done. I'm super happy with them. The fabric is gorgeous lightweight wool and they're exactly the style of slouchy mannish normcore trousers I wanted.
I learned so much while doing them, and have become a massive convert to basting rather than pinning. I have a temporary hook and eye on the back zipper until I work out what the final closure will be; maybe a ribbon loop and feature button, but there's no rush to decide.
I would absolutely do this again if I find quality men's trousers in charity shops. The trade-off between retaining some shape, or seams, or even overlocking; and having to work around pre-existing components, is a tricky one, and so I will try to find larger sizes next time in order to just work with the fabric. I think if I had not tried to incorporate the pockets I would have found it much more straightforward.
Having said that I do have another charity shop remodel - a lovely brown/red textured wool check blazer. It's about four sizes too big for me in the shoulder and sleeves, but because the style was fitted, relatively good proportions in the body. I haven't been able to find tutorials that address what I want to do specifically, so I may take it into the tailoring tutor to get her opinion.
I think with the sewing and second-hand exemptions I could probably do the "only buy five new pieces of clothing per year" thing in 2024. As long as it excludes underwear and sports gear, because I need a whole bunch of new knickers and my workout gear is for the significantly smaller me of 2019. Maybe running will help with problem (b) but problem (a) has no reasonable solution apart from new undergruds!
I learned so much while doing them, and have become a massive convert to basting rather than pinning. I have a temporary hook and eye on the back zipper until I work out what the final closure will be; maybe a ribbon loop and feature button, but there's no rush to decide.
I would absolutely do this again if I find quality men's trousers in charity shops. The trade-off between retaining some shape, or seams, or even overlocking; and having to work around pre-existing components, is a tricky one, and so I will try to find larger sizes next time in order to just work with the fabric. I think if I had not tried to incorporate the pockets I would have found it much more straightforward.
Having said that I do have another charity shop remodel - a lovely brown/red textured wool check blazer. It's about four sizes too big for me in the shoulder and sleeves, but because the style was fitted, relatively good proportions in the body. I haven't been able to find tutorials that address what I want to do specifically, so I may take it into the tailoring tutor to get her opinion.
I think with the sewing and second-hand exemptions I could probably do the "only buy five new pieces of clothing per year" thing in 2024. As long as it excludes underwear and sports gear, because I need a whole bunch of new knickers and my workout gear is for the significantly smaller me of 2019. Maybe running will help with problem (b) but problem (a) has no reasonable solution apart from new undergruds!
