Pleated Trousers

I hope you’re doing well and that you were able to enjoy this month of May filled with public holidays. On my end, the machine has been running hot. My mind too, for that matter! I don’t know if you experience moments like this, but I often have times when I get a rush of ideas, each crazier than the last. These imaginative bursts often happen late at night, when everything is calm and quiet and I’m still up in front of my machine or a piece of fabric. But you know, I also have calmer moments, moments when I think back on my entire sewing journey, as if I were living a dream. I think about how it all started, and all the things I’ve made so far… During these moments I just can’t help but feel a great sense of accomplishment (even though I’m aware there’s still plenty of room for improvement).

Just this morning, I experienced this type of feeling again: Like every morning I was heading to work when suddenly, I found myself in front of a mirror at the street corner. I realized that I was actually wearing 3 items I had sewn: The weekend bag, the kimono coat, and the pleated trousers. To be honest, I was particularly delighted with the pleated trousers, which I had just finished.

Pleated trousers with a front closure! I’d been dreaming of this for ages, but… I didn’t know how to do it. Actually, it was the front fly that terrified me. I still took my navy blue fabric brought back from Ghana, cut the trousers based on pattern #120B Burda 09/2011. Then I took a Burda easy sewing magazine (you know, those Burda special editions that have step-by-step images for each pattern) and I worked through it little by little.

The technique is now known but not completely mastered. A good excuse to make another one, right? hahahaha!!! The next pair of trousers will be cut from black fabric. I plan to wear them with a black leather biker jacket, derbies, and colorful earrings :)))

I hope that you are all doing well and that you have been enjoying the month of May, especially for my French folks who have many bank holidays during this month. At my end here, my machine worked and worked. But my imagination also! I don’t know about you but, I often experience these moments in life when so many crazy ideas all rush at once in my head. These crazy idea moments often happen late at night when everything is quiet and still, and that I am all by myself in the middle of the room holding a pair of scissors or gazing at a piece of fabric. However I also have calm moments when I recall my sewing adventure. I then start thinking about the things I have sewn so far as if I was in a dream. Then a feeling of joy and accomplishment fills my heart (even if I know that there is much more that I have to master!).

This morning was one of those moments. I was actually walking in the street on my way to work and suddenly found myself in front of my image in a mirror. The first thing that caught my attention was the fact that I had on me 3 items I had made myself: The weekend bag, my kimono coat, and my new pleated trousers. I should admit that I am particularly proud of these pair of straight trousers with its front opening.

A pair of straight trousers with a front opening! I have been wanting to sew this for ages now. However the front opening has always scared me. But you know what, one day I just decided to go for it and learn how to sew it. Therefore, I put the #120B Burda 09/2011 pleated trousers pattern on the table, grabbed a pair of scissors in one hand, my navy blue fabric brought back from Ghana in the other hand.
For the front opening, I was guided by one of the Burda easy sewing magazines (they have imaged instructions).

I now know the technique for these pants, even though I should admit that I do not master it yet. A black pair of trousers will be following soon based on this same pattern. I already have an idea on how I can accessorize it: A black leather biker jacket, derbies, and a colorful pair of earrings!