Make Me Some Trousers Please?

Here are 2 pairs of trousers that I promised a friend of my sister I would make for her. In hindsight I really should of photographed the original pair that she wanted  me to take a pattern from so you could see the likeness but that's the great thing about hindsight, you never think about it until after the event. 

The choice of fabric was not to my taste but they turned out great and my customer was happy.
So here is how I did it.

First I drew out a pattern by taking measurements and tracing the shape of the original trousers.

I then stitched the pleats in the front trouser to hold in place.

I then sewed the 2 front pieces together and overlocked the raw edges.

Next I sewed the 2 back pieces together and overlocked the raw edges.

I then placed the front trouser to the back trouser, right sides together and sewed down the side seams, once again I overlocked the raw edges.

Then I sewed up the inside of the trouser legs making sure I matched the seams at the crutch .

Next I sewed the waistband to the inside of the trousers for a neat finish to the inside.

On the original pair of trousers only the back of the waistband was elasticated so I secured the elastic to the side seams by stitching it down.

I then folded over the waistband and top stiched down. This is the front.

This is the back.

Finished.

In other news I have put some children's bags on etsy, they come in blue spot, green spot & Jelly bean print both long and short strap. A snip at only $5 / £3.20 (approx) each x

http://www.craftynick.etsy.com/

Nick x

http://www.craftynick.etsy.com/

Hot Pink Trousers. x

Today's post is about a new pair of casual trousers I decided to make for myself. Colour, Hot Pink. I  really don't know what it is about the colour pink that I like at the moment. Made from stretch t.shirt fabric they are so so so comfy and very quick to sew together.  I never use to like working with stretch fabrics but I can't get enough of it lately and my overlocker is working over time. So here's how I did it.

The shape was odd to begin with because there was no side seam in the leg but this just made the process quicker. Above photo shows where I have sewn in the drape that features on the front of the trouser.

Here I have sewn up the inside of the leg. I then had to repeat with the other leg and sew both legs together at the crutch.

I then took the waistband and sewed the ends together to make a circle.(make sure you leave a gap for later stage) This got folded over and overlocked onto the top of the trouser.

Going back to the gap/opening in waistband, you can now thread your elastic through waistband and close with some really neat hand stitches. Turn up the hem and top stitch. Ta Da!

As I've said before I'm not very comfortable in front of the camera and the sun was blinding me so please excuse the shyness. looking at the photos now I wish I'd been brave enough to wear a top with colour and possibly tuck the top in but I have a weight issue at the moment and played it safe with black.

Here I tried out a different belt.

I'm thinking of making another pair but instead of hemming the trousers I will add some cuffing instead.

Trousers - made by myself

Shoes - Steve Madden

T.Shirt - Next

Skinny Belt - Oasis

Thick Belt - Dorothy Perkins

Nick x

New Muse x

After a visit to my hairdressers today  I passed a small boutique that I had not seen before and not being able to resist I ventured inside.  They had a mix of clothes and accessories. There were so many gorgeous dresses, bags and pieces of jewellery, even better they had a sale on.  Needless to say I couldn't walk out empty handed and purchased this bag for £39.99.  I had been looking for a bag this colour, large enough to carry all my S**t and a strap long enough to wear it across my body.  It's my new mews. The shop assistant told me that it is made by the same company (www.marcbags.com) that supplies TOPSHOP but for a snip of the price. Being a small boutique their profit margins are a lot smaller. The name of the boutique is Foxy Frox and they are still in the stages of putting their stock on their website www.foxyfrox.co.uk being new and all but give it a few weeks and this website is well worth a visit.

In other news I am really excited about my new workroom : )
Let me explain, as I type, my lounge is taken over with sewing bits & pieces which can be extremely annoying to a clean freak like myself who has to have a certain amount of order in her house, yep everything has it's place.(sad, I know) The more I sew, the more cottons get trampled around the house and the bigger the mess becomes.  To my great delight I am being given the upstairs of an out building . It will be my sewing/craft room. My haven, My escape. I am too excited and watch the building progress every morning out my kitchen window. Be it slow I am now pleased to say the roof is being erected.  Today I found myself daydreaming about how I would decorate it. 

Nick x

Tatton Park.

Today we were lucky enough to spend the day at Tatton Park and gain free entry to the flower show. Boo being blessed with luck had won us some tickets in a raffle and let me tell you these tickets cost a pretty penny. When we arrived I could see why. Not one for being a gardener myself I began to wish I had green fingers and a fat wad of money in my purse. There were so many  gorgeous items I could visualize in my small garden back home but nether the less enjoyed window shopping in the sun with a glass of pimms in my hand.

This rocking sun lounger was a snip at £250.  I want I want I want.

The last two photos are plants that I came home with along with a free bouquet of Lilly's.  Because it was the last day of the show all the exhibitors were selling their stock really cheap or giving it away in the last half hour. I found it very amusing watching grown adults scrabble for plants. Now if it was Gucci, Pucci,Prada I would understand and most probably join in. Manners went out the window as people pushed and shoved to grab as many bargains as they could.

Overall it was a great day out and am thinking I will go next year but will take a picnic and a credit card.

Nick x