When I originally bought the stretch faux leather that I used to make
this Renfrew, it was with these pants in mind.
I knew I wanted this to be a skinny leg pant, but I was hesitant to use my Vogue 8330 pattern, since I wasn't 100% in love with the fit. I don't know why it didn't occur to me to use my beloved
Jalie pattern...
You can see from this view that the pant is only leather on the front side. The back half of the pant is Ponte knit from Spandex World. I've been seeing ponte/leather pants everywhere, and I really wanted to jump on this trend. It seems like the perfect pairing of comfort and style.
The only trick about sewing these pants was the faux leather. This stuff really hates being topstitched. So jeans style topstitching on the front panels was definitely not going to happen.
Instead of making traditional jeans, with front hip pockets and a fly zip, I relied on the stretch of the fabrics and constructed these more like leggings, with an elastic waist and no front pockets. The elastic also ramps up the comfort factor considerably. I used 1 3/4 inch wide elastic for a nice high waistband.
In back, I kept all of the jeans details, since the ponte was happy to be topstitched. I did the yoke and pocket hem topstitching on my coverstitch machine, to maintain the stretch. I attached the pockets with a triple stitch for strength.
Since these are constructed more like leggings than jeans, that is how I'll be wearing them - styled with tunic length tops. (This one is
Vogue 8831.) They feel much more substantial than all knit leggings though, and I definitely feel comfortable wearing them as pants.
They also look totally fierce with my
leopard print coat. Leather and leopard are a total match made in heaven.
I really like reading about your sewing! It seems that you sew things so quickly. I was just wondering if you could talk about your time management or whatever you do to be so productive. Also, I was vainly searching for a tunic type top to wear over leggings and wondered if you liked the Vogue 8831 or the Penny Pinafore better. I haven't had luck with either the (free) Hemlock Tee or Mandy Boat Neck Tee fitting properly and not looking like a 80's Flashdance flashback with my leggings. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I actually blogged a bit about time management in this post - http://katiekadiddlehopper.blogspot.com/2010/03/im-back.html.
ReplyDeleteAs for the tunic, I found the Vogue neckline extremely low (even though I raised it!) I'd definitely go for the Penny Pinafore if you've had trouble with low necklines/wide shoulders. It has a nice slim shoulder line and a modest, but pretty neckline.
Meowwwwww! I love these and might copy you sometime in the future. You get bonus points for putting pockets on the back.
ReplyDeleteAll pants must have pockets. Where else can I keep my phone? And matchbox cars, 4 train tracks, a dress up earring and baby wipes...
ReplyDeletePAWS UP! Ok, sorry, couldn't resist. This is the "I have a bone to pick with the principle" outfit.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteLove the pants. I actually have a brown pair on my to do list!! Thanks for the inspiration to move them up! Yours are fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteLove the pants. I was thinking of making a pair like that too! Great minds. ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat job and oh so trendy.
ReplyDeleteLove the skinny jeans!
ReplyDeleteJust fabulous, pants, coat and boots!
ReplyDeleteI love the half faux leather/half ponte pants! I have a question about the ponte from Spandex House. Does it pill? My ponte from Hancock's pills terribly after only a few wears.
ReplyDeleteAha! Just found your comment, lost in my "pending" folder! So sorry!
ReplyDeleteThey look bad ass with that coat. I really like those pants. I would buy a pair like them if I saw them in a store.
ReplyDelete