Because you might not realize the significance of my having just made a pair of pants that fit, I bring you the before. Well, it's not really a before, actually; it's a pair of pants I purchased and have been wearing. They're black stretch denim Not Your Daughter's Jeans. I did a bit of color enhancing because photographing black fabric and having it show anything is next to impossible, for me anyway. So here we have:
I didn't bother to draw lines to bring your attention to anything in particular. Some of the wrinkles are simply from wearing them. Oh, and here we have the same pants, back view:
I believe we could call this one smiles, frowns, wrinkles, and folds. Sigh. This is why I sew. Or should I say why I have been trying to sew a pair of pants that fit me for oh about 20 years.
And here we have my just completed, made from Sure-Fit Designs, pants (fabric is grey tencel):
And the view from the other side:
I do seem to be standing at a bit of a tilt. ??? Smiles: no. Frowns: nope. Wrinkles: not a one. Folds: nada. I believe this is referred to as the Holy Grail of Garment Sewing.
Here's a close-up of the pockets (I wrote about this process recently, will add a link when I'm not on my way out the door):
Because the pockets don't show in the previous photos.
And me?
P.S. May I please have extra credit / bonus points for not talking about how my weight has changed over the years and how my body is not exactly the particular shape I'd like it to be and when did I shrink I used to be taller and how some of my "soft tissue" seems to have moved from the back of me to the front of me? And how only the inch of hair closest to my scalp is my natural color and not the orange that is the rest of it and at least it's not pink like it was when I colored it a few months ago before I applied Clairol Oops, yes that's a real product? And how we should sew for the body we have and not wait until we have the body we want? Thank you.
Blessings and peace..
Blessings and peace..
You have the right to be happy! Great fit - nice job!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, BeaJay. Where are you in the pants-fitting journey?
DeleteThose are pants of awesomeness!
ReplyDeleteEileensews, thanks so much! Awesomeness, I love it!
DeleteYou look wonderful in your new pants! I'm so glad you got such excellent results from Sure Fit Designs. Another inspiration for me to buy that system, too.
ReplyDeleteCarol Carol Carol, if you can, go for it! When I was there in April for the classes (which I reviewed in a post back in April; I don't know how to link to it here), I mentioned how as it turned out I learned that you really can do this at home and by yourself!!! I purchased the Sure-Fit Designs Pants Fitting Course on DVD when I was there -- to have a refresher for when I got back home. I am planning to view it one of these days and write up a little review. And thanks so much for your compliments!
DeleteAs Tony the Tiger would say, "They're GRRRRREAT!"
ReplyDeleteI remember Tony the Tiger, Linda T. Thanks so much! I am on Cloud Nine today.
DeleteBrava!
ReplyDelete*Like* -- Thanks, Theresa. You're young and have a lovely figure, so you could probably fit into a commercial pattern right out of the envelope. If you decide to get into sewing garments, I think you'd really enjoy it!
DeleteFar out! You've done it. Congratulations and thanks for the enjoyable writing style.
ReplyDeleteMary Beth, you are so nice to take the time to visit and to leave me such a nice compliment! And about my writing style, too -- double thanks! I wrote this blog post in about 15 minutes, including uploading the pictures, while my husband was getting ready to go out with friends. Oh, of course I wore my new pants!
DeleteSandra,
ReplyDeleteYour pants are wonderful!! I've been trying to get the perfect fit for pants for about 6 years now - using Wild Ginger - drafting for my measurements - results OK and now StyleArc for the current best look but I still need to make changes but am yet to get the perfect fit. I've been contemplating Sure-Fit Designs for a couple of years now but haven't because of my "investment" as above. You've convinced me that I really need to get in touch with Glenda!! Is this your first pants using the Sure-Fit Design system?
OzAnnie, thank you so much for your compliment! These were my first woven pants after the muslins we made in class with Glenda. I wanted to make sure that I was putting the blueprint to the maximum test, that's why I chose this fabric, one with no stretch at all. That, plus I had about 5 yes of it and it's 60+ inches wide.
DeleteSandra, I thought I heard angels in the last few days...
ReplyDeleteThose pants are great. Wow, the proof if in the back view, for sure. I have the pant kit, but don't have time to try it right now. Looking forward to it though. You are an inspiration!
Meredith, {smile}... Yes, it's that view that shows the success I've had. Maybe you could carve out 15 minutes a day? You don't have to do it all at one time. That's my speed, anyway, a little at a time. :) And thanks for visiting and leaving such nice compliments.
DeleteI commented on SG but they're so great I have to comment twice! And well done for not doing your body down but getting on to make a GORGEOUS garment that looks like you LOVE YOURSELF.
ReplyDeleteOoooh, Elizabeth, from all the way in Sweden! Yowza! That body thing, isn't it time we all strive for that balance of self-acceptance and continuing to improve our health? Thanks so much!
DeleteHi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteYour pants look great - isn't Sure Fit a winner? I have now made 2 pair of pants and a couple of tops from SFD and I am very happy. I'm a shortie at 5'2" and sewn pants always looked weird before. I enjoy reading your blog.
Regards, Barb in Qld
Applause applause (one applause for each pair of pants) and them more applause -- for the tops! I think my writing style is kind of goofy, but I just write what I think, so I'm not sure what that means. LOL
DeleteGreat job on the pants...you have achieved " the fit". Sewing is going to be so much fun now. I have the SF works combo,pants fitting DVD and am ordering the jeans tomorrow. Saw your review on sitchers guild but your success deserves a personal atta boy! Welcome to the fan club lol
ReplyDeleteOoooh, Anonymous, thank you. I have achieved some kind of nirvana, haven't I? And you know what? I'm not worried that when my body shape changes that I won't be able to make pants that fit, because I did need to make one change. I started swimming laps 2 to 3 times a week since taking the class, and although it hasn't changed my weight, it has changed my shape. In the first try-on, it was just easy to see what I needed to change. This is SO HUGE in my world of sewing, especially compared to previous attempts at sewing pants, where one change, then another, then yet another, and pretty soon I had a mess on my hands and didn't know up from down! No more! Oh and have you created your blueprint(s) yet? How's it going?
DeleteNo wonder you're so excited! You'll have a wardrobe full of great fitting pants very soon. I'm working on the dress kit blueprint at the moment. Once I've got that sorted, I'll be ordering the pants kit. Stories like yours are very inspiring to me.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Loved your P.S.
Hi Leonie, thank you for visiting me. Yes, I have plans to make more pants and then get busy making some tops. Remember, Glenda is available to help you with those minor tweaking that many of us need. Well, I have been inspired by so many sewing friends that a ream of paper wouldn't be enough to list them all. And most of them don't even know that they've inspired me. I think I'm going to do better with that, and let people know when they inspire me. (Who needs January 1st to make a resolution? Not me!) Thanks again.
DeleteP.S. Thanks for your {love} about the P.S.
DeleteSandra, those Sure Fit pants are fabulous! What a wonderful fit. I'm still searching for the perfectly fitted pant...sigh. By the way, you look beautiful! : )
ReplyDeleteJanis, if you only knew how hard it was to post those pictures. Is my hair really that orange? Why oh why is my skin so ruddy? And a dozen more questions along those lines. But I took a deep breath and pressed "Publish" -- and I'm so glad I did. We are all beautiful in some way, aren't we? And I know we're our own worst critics. Ugh, working on that one. And Janis, you inspire me! I commented on your blog, your new CLD top is gorgeous, and you have excellent garment-sewing skills. Thanks for leaving me such a nice comment.
DeleteAlexandra, I know! My first TNT! I could not be more excited. TNT vs RTS = no contest. :) Thanks for stopping by and for your compliments. And I must say, Glenda (owner of Sure-Fit Designs) is so generous and kind and helpful to everyone. She has a lovely heart (as well as being a talented pattern designer).
ReplyDeleteYou are a great looking woman and your pants are great looking and the fit is excellent.
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth, Thanks so much for your compliments! It's so nice to hear a out how I look to others! Ad thank you for visiting, hope you'll come back!
DeleteGreat looking pants Sandra. You've inspired me to get the bodice kit out and start working on it -- I do OK with StyleArc pants, but blouses -- oh my do I need help! Won't it be fun making your next pair -- enjoy! Karen
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, I've been hoping that my success would inspire others, especially those who have purchased the SFD kit(s), so thank you for sharing that. My bodice kit is on my short list of upcoming projects. Stay tuned!
DeleteHi Sandra, it is Val from our April time with Glenda. Your pants look fantastic, and I am proud of you for continuing with the education we received! I am working on a knit top TNT pattern (mostly, sorta ;-) ) Keep going!!
ReplyDeleteHiiiiiii, Val, thanks for stopping in for a little visit. Thank you for your compliments. We did learn A LOT, didn't we? Yea for you working on a knit top; I'd love to hear about your tank top experience; will you share (here or email)? That's high on my list. XOXO
DeleteHI Sandra! I am so jealous! I had a great fitting pant patterns 25 years ago but bodies do not defy gravity over time, so I desperately need a new one! I've tried Vogue/Burda as well as various self drafted ones, read blogs but still can't get them right. I don't have a sewing buddy here in the Philippines as that would make it so much easier too. But seeing your pants, I think I will give SureFit a try ( and maybe start swimming a couple of days a week too!)! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, Haha about the gravity! I wonder if I would have had success with a local sewing buddy. Hmmm. I do know, from my own experience and reading that of many others, about how supportive Glenda from Sure-Fit Designs is. So even though you're very far away (from where I'm sitting), Glenda is just an email away. I would encourage you to watch the videos at Sure-Fit Designs, get the kit, and go for it! (I already made a second pair of pants!!!)
DeleteOh my goodness. I think I'm sold on Sure Fit at last. Great job!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Mary. After my current sewing jag of zippered cases, I'll start making some autumn clothes. With my SFD blueprints!
Delete