New Look 6816 silk pants

So, I finally did it.  I cut up 5 yards of expensive silk and made...

THE BEST PANTS EVER!!!

They are so soft and silky and wonderful that I never, ever, ever want to take them off.  The habotai lining is absolutely luxurious and makes me want to line everything with it.  The crepe flows like well, silk.  I love it!

The pattern is New Look 6816.  I won't bore you by talking about how much I love this pattern again.  Prior versions of these pants can be seen here in jersey and here in poly crepe suiting.

Since I wanted these pants to be pretty special, I did give them some fine finishing touches.  I sewed french seams throughout,

did my first hand-rolled hem (while watching the BBC version of Pride & Prejudice, which always makes me want to hand sew something),

and did the buttonhole elastic casing for maternity adjustment.

I did make a few changes on this iteration of the buttonhole elastic.  I used 1 inch elastic, which is just a bit more stable.  I was so pleased to find it in black at Fashion Sewing Supply!  Thanks, Pam!  She just launched her new e-store, so if you are looking for the best interfacing and notions around, you know where to go.  I also fully enclosed the interior of the casing by sewing together the waistline of both lining and fashion fabric prior to folding down the casing.  This way, the elastic can move freely in the casing when I need to adjust it.  Rather than leaving an opening in the side seam, I sewed two buttonholes to thread the elastic through.  This was possibly the most nerve wracking part of making these pants, as my buttonholer wasn't sewing consistently.  The end result lies much flatter and leaves the button outside the casing, making it easier to adjust so it was worth it in the end.

I'm so happy with these pants and I can't wait to sew more silk!  But first my big boy needs some pants, so stay tuned for a fun khaki refashion.