A tried and true pattern, (also referred to as TNT) can be a dangerous thing. It can make a sewer too cocky for her own good. It happened to me recently with this project.
I’ve made (and almost worn out) pants with Vogue 1411 seven times to be exact. With this, the eighth pair, I became over-confident in assuming that I could finish all cutting-to-wearing tasks in a very short time. Wrong!!! The rush was the direct cause of some errors; fortunately, they were caught before creating more havoc. The lesson is that these pants could have easily become a “wadder”. Then I would have had to go back to Sew Much Fabric to order more. By the way, more about my tunic in the near future. It’s the cover story for Notions magazine, available only for ASG (American Sewing Guild) members.
Iron Your Pattern
It’s always a good idea to iron out the pattern with a warm, dry iron to smooth it out. Creases and wrinkles in the paper are not ok. This time I neglected to do that and guess what. There were two edges in the pattern piece which were folded over slightly – and I cut around the folded edge without realizing that. Fortunately, the seam width could be adjusted and no real harm was done.
Sew Correct Pattern Pieces Together
Have you ever had to take apart triple-stitched seams in black thread, on black ponte knit? The pant legs of this pattern are pieced together in an interesting way, and there’s topstitching on each seam. My desire for a quick turn-around resulted in sewing the wrong pieces together. Wut? Thankfully, the error was caught with the first pant leg, before the topstitching! I did, however, have to undo some triple-stitching on the black knit and black thread. Blinding task….
At this point I became very careful, and slowed down to check and re-check everything. Guess what, the pants got done faster than my usual turn around for sewing projects. Like Mr. Turtle whose slow and steady progress won him the race against that upstart Mr. Hare.
The only minor change I made to this pattern was the length, which I shortened by 3 inches. Two inches were removed by tucking up the lower pant leg pieces below the knee point, and the last one inch by shortening the hem. I like this length! What do you think? Do I need to wear a heel with this above-ankle length? Or flats?
Have a safe and happy summer, y’all!
Samina
Sew Everything Blog 
Hi Samina,
Can’t wait to read the article. I got my Notions the other day!
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Hi Tee! Enjoy the Notions article. Anne Marie did a fantastic job of making my words look good 🙂
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What’s a wadder? I love the seams on these pants. I think you should wear it with those cute black and white heels, or gladiator sandals!
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Hi Als! A wadder is slang which is understood by sewing enthusiasts only, I think. It refers to a project which was so unsuccessful that it had to be “wadded” up and thrown away.
I borrowed the wedges from Asra Apa. I have to get my own now.
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The pants look good with both flats and heels. BTW, cute heels. I love the design lines in these slacks and recently bought the pattern based on your posts. Bought some dark brown ponte but am waiting for cooler weather and completion of a massive house foundation project.
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Oh, Cathy, you too? I am also just now beginning the process of foundation repair on the house. Thankfully, these pants were made before the beginning of the repairs.
Thanks for leaving a comment, and keep in touch.
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Great tips we should all remember. Love that top.
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Thank you, Andrea! I’ll be beginning the Misty Top soon 🙂
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I like this length better with the wedge. Oh how I hate ripping out black regardless of how many stitches. Looks Great!
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Thanks, Karon! Those wedges were borrowed from my daughter, and now I have to go shop for my own pair. They’re from Anthropologie.
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My Notions Magazine came yesterday! LOVE your article–congrats. Now to dig into the scraps………
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Thanks, Linda! I’m eager to see what fashion you create with your scraps.
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I really like these pants with both flats and heels. Will add the pattern to my shopping list! Lyn
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Go for it, Lyn! You’ll like this pattern, I’m very sure.
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Really nice! I’ve had had the same hurry-up mistakes. They make me crazy.
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Hi, Rebecca! I’m learning the “slow and steady” lesson – after so many years of sewing.
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oh my word Samina I hate when I make the rookie move!! lol it drives me crazy. I love these pants and I def love the heel.
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Thanks, Siri!
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I’m excited to find this site. Also, that there is a newsletter.
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Thank you, Beulah! I hope you enjoy reading my other posts. Actually, the newsletter is a publication of the American Sewing Guild. I only contributed an article to it.
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High-five Samina for sticking to it and getting to the finish line! The end result was worth it! And the top is very cute. Love the wedges…:)
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Thanks,Roz! I love this Ponte knit. Somehow it feels different than my previous black ponte purchase. Good fabric will usually result in good garments — in my opinion.
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Love the colorful lively top. And your pants look good with both flats and heels.
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Thank you, Tomasa!
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