Yoga Pants for Isabella

These are exactly the same as Katerina's pants. The pattern is Kwik Sew 3498, size XS.

Yoga Pants

Much to my dismay, Katerina had a major growth spurt recently and all her yoga pants are too short. Here is a pair I just made for her using Kwik Sew 3498, size M. I added 1 inch in length.

Pants for Katerina

I finished these on the 17th but I haven't had time to post them here. The pattern used is Jalie 968, size 8. The colour of the corduroy is actually a lovely wine purple.

I had a bit of trouble with the buttonhole because I had sewn the belt loop on first and it kept getting in the way. I eventually tacked the belt loop down with some hockey tape (the Canadian staple) and then it was nice and smooth.

The pattern is a really good fit. She has growing room (done on purpose). The leg is a straight leg, boot cut. I know the style is more towards skinny leg now, but I don't want to put that style on her as I think she is too young (6 yo). This is a good compromise, I think.

I will say that the construction order for these Jalie pants are a hell of a lot better than the Ottobre pants I made Joshua. I will be following Jalie's instructions next time, instead.



Here is a closeup of the front of the pants:


Here is a closeup of the back of the pants. The belt loops look like they aren't aligned properly but they are (weird angle, I guess):

Lots of top-stitching!

These pants are from Ottobre magazine, issue 4/2007, design #29, size 8 (European size 128). In tracing this pattern, I added a 5/8" seam allowance. I used a larger seam allowance because of the double top-stitching. This is my first time sewing an Ottobre pattern. It went reasonably well but the zipper placket gave me quite a bit of trouble.

Even though the pattern called for a 4" zipper, I tried using a 6" one, as that was my smallest zipper. In fiddling around, trying to get the zipper to fit, I must have screwed up somewhere. Also, I wasn't familiar in using a placket to attach a zipper. I wasn't pleased with the result. It ended up looking like I had sewn darts at the end of the zipper.

I ended up taking out that zipper. I also had a pair of Joshua's pants that were ripped and beyond repair. I took the zipper from that pair. As a bonus, that pair had a zipper placket, so I was able to examine the installation in detail. Once I put in the new zipper placket, with my new-found zipper placket knowledge, it looked like it should.

I also adjusted this pattern to have an adjustable waist using buttonhole elastic. Joshua has a skinny waist and without the adjustable waist, he would have to wear a belt. The boy barely remembers to zip up his pants (occasionally) and a belt would be a disaster.

Overall, I am pleased with this pattern. It was a lot of work, but next time it should go a little easier. I will be taking a break from making pants for a bit, though.

Burda 9641

These are for school in the fall for Joshua. The pattern used is Burda 9641, size 8. I left off the flap pockets on the sides of the legs, and the belt loops as the waist is elastic. I used 1.25" elastic and 22" in length. I attached the elastic with the serger, then turned and used the sewing machine to finish.

I tried using the coverstitch but the fabric plus elastic was a bit too thick for it and the stitching was messy. The elastic could easily go up to 1.5", and I could definitely shorten to 20"-21".



On the back, I left off the no-pocket flap and instead put a back pocket on. I might lower the back pockets next time. I like the pattern and I will definitely be making a few more for him.

First of the Back-to-school clothes

This is a pair of cords for Joshua. The pattern is Burda 9860, size 7. The following picture is the detail top-stitching on the back.




This pattern took a little while to sew. There is quite a bit of detail and I added even more. I also made the waist an adjustable waist so that required adding buttonholes and buttons to accommodate the buttonhole elastic.

The pants have a little growing room but not too much, so I need to start making size 8 for Joshua. This pattern is definitely true-to-size. I'm going to try a different pattern for the next pair.

UPDATE: Here he is wearing them.