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Feb 9, 2015

Why NOT white pants in February?



Call me perverse, but when the weather gets cold and gray and the streets are covered with dirty snow, I want to wear white -- or least, sew something white!  (The shot up top is from my 2011 jeans sew-along and the month was May, but so be it.)

I've been planning to make myself a pair of white twill pants (basically jeans) for some time now.  Since I'm focusing on pants this month, I decided to jump right in.

I picked up about two yards of white cotton pants-weight twill in December and pre-washed it once, though twice wouldn't have been a bad idea as it does tend to shrink in the dryer initially.



My pattern is Kwik Sew 3504, which I've used with success many times.  (It's the pattern I used for my jeans sew-along many moons ago.)

I tweak it a bit every time I use it: currently, I add about 1/2" to the side width (my 30" waist is history, alas) and this time took roughly 1" out of the back width, starting just below the seat; I just pinned it out.



Everything else was straightforward.



I sewed these on my Kenmore 158.141.









For the pocket bags, I used an old white cotton jacquard tablecloth.



After I was finished but before hemming, I threw the pants in the washer and dryer.  They shrank hardly at all width-wise but roughly 2" in length!

Here's a peek at the finished (all but hemmed) pants:



Note to self: avoid black underwear.





Curse thee, muffin top!



Once change I make from commercial jeans is to add two belt loops -- one on either side of the center back seam -- instead of one.   A good way to avoid visible butt cleavage when squatting!



I'll do a more elaborate photo shoot down the line.

Anybody else digging out their white fabric stash these days?

Have a great day, everybody!

35 comments:

  1. I love those pants! The white linen pair you wore on MPB day were really nice too. The two belt loops at the back and the washing before hemming are great tips. I really like how white pants look on other people but for some reason every time I try on a pair It doesn't look right for some reason. Maybe I'm too wide at the bottom, LOL. Have you got any tips on how to wear white?

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  2. Absolutely, awesome! I sew or wear the brightest colors I own in the winter.

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  3. You guys are far too adorable! And the pants are nice too! Xxx

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  4. Love! FYI use flesh coloured underwear and lining. Less show through in white pants

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    1. What a great idea! I always have a stock of flesh coloured underwear for whites, but why did it never occur to me that this would extend to pocket pouches and lining. Brilliant.

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    2. IIRC, Threads magazine had an article a few years ago recommending flesh color for all facings also, if possible.

      "flesh color" = color that matches the person, not the color in the crayon box.

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    3. And pockets too, if you have really dark skin.

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    4. I love the definition of "flesh", anonymous! That has always been my personal pet peeve!

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  5. Is that a "file photo" of you and Michael in sandals with geraniums, or have I just become snow blind? We're up to our bust points in snow yea north of you.

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    1. Those are from the sew-along way back when -- when it was warm!

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  6. Great job. The exception to white undergarnent rule is if you have melanocytes of a darker tone, wear black underwear. LOL

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  7. Muffin top? What are you talking about?? Your belly looks pretty flat to me!

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    1. One's very own "flesh awning" is an invitation to explore boxy tops and elastic waistbands.

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  8. white is really nice in men jeans... i think it looks more natural and calm fashion look for all men to atleast have one white jeans,... Get them over here https://www.g3fashions.in/men-bottomwear-jeans.html

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  9. Bright fun colours makes winter a bit more cheerful. Love winter white.

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  10. Fabulous flat felled seaming! Do you use a felling foot, or rolled hemmer or have you another secret weapon for tackling them? I've had modest success in heavy fabrics like denim when I start with a fairly wide seam allowance, but find that light weight fabrics and narrow seams are scary to flat fell.

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  11. Nice work on the jeans, Peter. I'd love to be able to wear white pants, but bitter experience....somehow I turn into a dirt and stain magnet.

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  12. The pants look good, great idea regarding the belt loops....The very "cheeky" first picture made me smile. Norma

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  13. White pants are hard to pull off in the winter, with all the dirty slush and snow to walk thru, they get dirty pretty quickly.

    Your pants look great. You should team it up with you liberty of london print shirt and your navy blue jacket you made.

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  14. Oh, two belt loops in the back! Saves me that fustercluck of belt loop/welted seam in the centertback! Dammit, lad, you're a genius! (the other spelling is a KKing trademark)

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  15. You call that a muffin top!!!!
    I love white pants, but get little chance to wear them, since I'm a total slob. Made some lovely embroidered white on white linen dressy summer pants 2 years ago, have yet to wear them. Sob.

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  16. I paused for a long while at the prospect of making white jeans, but once I did, I found them so useful for creating outfits. Same thing happened when I made an ivory shirt dress. Very versatile pieces.

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  17. You do such beautiful work. Those look great! And the last photo made me chuckle. You two look like you're about to break out in a hearty song 'o' the sea or something.

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  18. I've always done the 2 belt loops at the back, I always found the one in the middle isn't sufficient and is under too much strain on squatting.

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  19. I like these pants very much. Do you put your own labels in the clothing you make?

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  20. too much adorableness with you two both posing for the camera! love the pants!

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  21. I love winter white. I'm just not brave enough to wear it.

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  22. Your sewing is beautiful!

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  23. But so be it? It should be, but sew be it!

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  24. Pants look great, excellent sewing technique! I like how neat the belt loops look, any hints on how you got them looking so good?

    John Yingling

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  25. How long does it take you to make these Peter?

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