Remember Butterick 7988? I’ve been desperate for an excuse to make this pattern every since I bought it.
Butterick 7988
This week’s challenge on Sew Weekly was ‘Winter’, which kinda sucks ’cause it finally isn’t winter in New Zealand. But hey, at least it was an excuse to make this pattern, because as much as I love skirts, but I loathe tights, so for all that I am super-vintage girl, I wear pants/trousers/slacks (whichever you prefer to call them) almost exclusively all winter long. So not winter, but hey, an excuse to make my pattern, and at least I can wear them during every summertime southerly.
I’m making my slacks up in a lovely wool with a subtle tartan pattern in blue, grey and beige.
The fabric
Interior finishes
Of course, from any distance more than 6 inches, it just look pale grey. Also, it doesn’t lend itself to the fabulous safari styling on the pattern. But I’m still super excited about this particular slack pattern. Why? This:
See it? No?
Want another look?
See it?!? See it?!?
Or rather, see what isn’t there?
Yep, no side seam. It’s all done with a dart at the side. I love it!
Unfortunately, some of the other things with these pants aren’t so fab. I got distracted cutting them and made a major boo boo:
Oops
Eeek. That’s an 8″ cut straight up the leg from the hem on the inside front edge.
I mended it with some bias tape and fabric fuse, and overstitched with machine darning. It will help, but the slacks are never going to be perfect again. Boo.
Bummer
Still, they are great pants, the interior finish is rather nice, and they go with everything in my wardrobe.
Really:
So why are they the ‘Midwinter Mole’ slacks? Well, because the pattern calls them slacks (not trousers or pants), I started them while watching a very appropriate episode of Midsummer Murders (it centred around a bespoke tailors, there was lots of talk of tweed, and all the murders were committed with tailors sheers), and finally, what colour thread matched the fabric best?
Mid Mole! Best thread colour name ever!
Just the facts, Ma’am:
Fabric: 1.5 metres of wool with a subtle tartan pattern in blue, grey and beige ($8)
Pattern: Butterick 7988
Year: mid 1940s
Notions: One invisible zip (stash) and vintage bias binding (20 cents)
And the insides? Bias-bound rise, overlocked inseams, bias-turned hem.
Hours: 8. I spent a lot of time fussing with the hem and cuff/no cuff
First worn?: Monday 3 Dec for the photoshoot
Wear again?: Yep. It goes with everything in my wardrobe.
Make again?: Yes! And I want shorts made from this pattern.
Total cost: $8.20
And, for a final bit of fun, look, I can photoshop!
