I finally got round to making myself a pair of trousers last week and they’ve come out OK, not amazing but certainly wearable.
I bought the fabric last year in Fabworks, it’s medium weight and it has a slight stretch to it, not a lot, but just a bit of give. I decided to use the Ultimate Trouser pattern by Sew Over It, I used it back in 2017 with a very stretchy jacquard fabric and I still wear them a lot. With those I felt they were quite roomy, so rather than adding a side zip I added a waistband with some elastic. They still fit me fine so I just went with the size 14 I’d cut out before…
What I didn’t take into account was my fluctuating weight, due to thyroid issues over the last twelve months I’ve lost and then regained a stone in weight, and those trousers are so stretchy they are very forgiving! I made the trousers up and at the first try on thought, ooh, they’re a bit snug! I decided to unpick the side seams and restitch them with a minimum seam allowance, probably gaining me half an inch on each leg, it was just enough to make a difference.
I stitched in the invisible side zip – it would be more invisible if I didn’t end up with that uneven gap just below it – next time I’m going to stitch the side seam after I’ve put the zip in. Instead I just fudged it a bit and slip-stitched the edges together.
The pattern has a drop waist with a facing, I’d already decided I wanted it a bit higher, I also decided to add a waistband, I just cut a 3″ strip and stitched it round, with hindsight I’d have been better with a four inch one to make it a bit more comfortable.
All in all, they don’t look bad, apart from the waistband they’re pretty comfortable, I can see me getting a fair bit of casual wear out of them – especially if I manage to lose a bit of that stone!! I’d had them on for several hours on the photos, hence the creases and please excuse the dozy look, I was still recovering from a night shift!
thecraftycreek 
Hello Margaret, your trousers are lovely. You are so brave to attach dressmaking like you do. I like the fit, I always have trouble with shop bought trousers. Regards Mandy xx
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Hi Mandy, I think that’s half the problem, when we buy stuff we accept the flaws, but when we make it we expect it to be perfect 🙂
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You know you will have a perfect fit when you make them yourself. I have all of these questions and concerns when I purchase trousers. Well done I say.
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Well that’s the theory anyway 😀
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Those look like they need minimal tweaking if any. With your thyroid issues, I’d say wait and see, they will probably be perfect the next time you wear them. 🙂 Well done!
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Thanks Kathy, that’s the problem with these thyroid issues – maybe I should stick to my loose fitting dresses 🙂
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I’ve made these and had quite a few fitting issues with the pattern but can’t remember why now. I do remember having to make a lot of alterations and make almost a whole new pattern piece so I think the ‘Ultimate Trousers’ title is a bit of wishful thinking on the part of the designers especially as I’m a pretty standard size and don’t have any trouble getting RTW trousers to fit.
You don’t look as if you need to lose a stone to me btw.
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Thanks, when I look on line it seems quite a few people have fitting issues, I think I need a different style of trousers…and I’d be happy to just lose 1\2 a stone 🙂
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Very snazzy, but weren’t you a bit chilly out there?
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Thanks Cathy, the jacquard ones were taken a couple of summers ago, otherwise I would have been one big goosebump! I chickened out of going outside this time and used the conservatory 🙂
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Well – you made them and gain lessons! I am always in awe of you!
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