You may be under the mistaken notion that every project every sewer out there on the internet does turns out perfect. We foster that notion because we don’t often share our failures.
But failures are instructive and we can all learn from them. In that spirit I give you the following.
The May 2013 issue of Threads magazine had a fascinating article on making bias pants. The technique was so unusual that I just had to give it a try.
It involved making some complicated calculations based on your measurements and then cutting out two rectangles. The rectangles were sewn in a twisted sort of way, resulting in two bias tubes.
Would you believe I have that very fabric in my stash? I’m so cool. 🙂
See?
But I absolutely could NOT see me wearing pants out of this stuff. Nope, not that cool. Instead I opted for a solid purple linen/rayon blend with a bit of texture.
When I first considered the idea of bias pants I wondered about the bias stretch factor which I’ve observed before. Bias garments with any weight to them tend to narrow at the top and be wider at the bottom. Maybe not such a good idea in pants?
But I dismissed any concerns, figuring the designer knew what she was talking about. Right?
As you can see from this pic, what I expected is exactly what happened.
I won’t subject you to pics of these pants on. The effect was rather grotesque as they hugged my hips and thighs, then flared prettily at the bottom. Ugh.
After excitedly trying on my new pants, then being quite disappointed, I took another look at the magazine photos.
Well of course these fit the model perfectly, as she has no hips or thighs to speak of whatsoever. Yup, they look great on her. Anything would.
So, if you have a stick-figure figure I say go for it. It’s a cool idea and you’ll have some very interesting pants. The rest of us should probably stick to more conventional styles.
The good news is that I still have my tropical print to use… for a summer top, I think.
I also have two purple bias tubes that I don’t know what to do with. Any suggestions?
Oh, no! Hahahaha! I LOVE the tropical pattern–for seat covers on my rattan dining set. I would never ever ever wear pants made of it.
Also, on the model (rear view) you can see how the pants fabric is riding up on her leg–either that, or they’re too short. That would drive me nuts.
Thanks for sharing your “failure.” I want to see what you do with that tropical fabric.
Yeah, that’s another thing I’m finally learning: To more carefully study the photos of the pro’s finished garments. Those pants are riding right up her butt, aren’t they? It’s been pointed out on other patterns that the model was positioned a certain way to minimize particular design flaws in the clothing. Just paying closer attention would likely save a great deal of aggravation.
Ooooo, I can totally see that tropical print on outdoor seat covers. 🙂 However, it’s a nice slinky rayon, so it will definitely be a summer top instead.
Yes, a summer top is good. Yes, the pants are riding up on her backside, but you don’t see it because she’s so skinny. That would make them very uncomfortable. Now, the tropical pants she’s wearing in the front view look much looser. I wonder if view 2 was the first failed effort, but they saved it to show the weird bias seam.
Okay, onward and forward. Waiting to see the summery top. Have you got spring there yet?
It’s trying to be spring, but will probably only succeed once another week or so has gone by. Although we get hopeful in March around here, spring doesn’t really happen until close to the end of April.
Yup, really gotta remember to pay closer attention to the details on those model photos. Before making a project would be preferable.
Erk !!! I must say I quite liked the front pic of that model and the fabric suits her but that back photo astounds me – looks like the pants are longer on one leg than the other. !!! Yuk – was what I thought of that view. As you say – these look good on her – from the front – but that back view is a complete dog’s dinner !!!
A definite Miss on this pattern.
IKE xxx
Yup, it was very much a lesson to me to carefully study the model photos.
Do you still have the tropical fabric?
Hi Carrie, Thanks for stopping by my blog! I made that tropical print into a top, which I still wear on occasion. 🙂 You can see the details in this blog post: http://keepsakecrafts.net/blog/2013/04/29/tropical-print-summer-tunic-butterick-5218/.
Happy creating!
When that issue first came out I wanted to try making those pants someday. I was captivated by the floral print and the idea of soft, comfy summer pants.I didn’t look too closely at the photos.
Last week I found the perfect rayon batik print for soft summery pants, and remembered these pants from Threads.
I’m happy someone sent me the link to your blog!! Really looking at the second photo I can see the sample is shorter on one leg, and riding up. I will stick to simple pull on pants!
Yeah, it seemed like a good idea… Glad you found the blog post helpful, Helen!