Simplicity 1783 pants : Zipper installation

INSTALLING THE ZIPPER

 For piece 9 you only need to cut one. So I cut one. The pattern did not show it reversed and I placed it on the fabric and cut. Thinking I had done it correctly, I could not understand why my pattern pieces were not looking like the diagram. I put the pieces up to my waist, Right, Right. Left, Left. The piece was reversed. Perhaps the pattern was correct and I was wrong, or they were wrong and I was right! At least I figured out my mistake in rapid time and knew what to do to correct it. Pat my back!

It is maybe a good thing that I had to cut a second piece. The first piece I folded over the edge, pressed it and sewed it. I tried a zigzag stitch and my machine did not like this and ate the fly. So redoing it a second time I used a straight stitch and the machine did not eat the material.

This is what it should look like. Right sides together, on the proper side, I am impressed that I fixed it. 

Stitch and trim. Voila, easy as pie!

Now my zipper is quite long. I had a zipper from a pair of dress pants that no longer fit that would be the perfect length, but the zipper head came off and I do not have the patience to fix it at this time. So the long one it is. 













  

Baste and stitch in place. Instructions are easy and clear, I am following along nicely.











The overlap is easy. Sew wrong sides together, clip and trim, flip right side out and press. Zig zag raw edges, this time it went well and my machine did not eat the material.

All in all, I am very proud of mayself for making it this far with no help from my sewing class. I guess after a few pairs of pants you retain the information and am able to follow the instructions. The first 2 pairs of pants that I made in my class had unusual fly installations and their instructions left something to be desired. These instructions are clear, simple to follow and complete. 

Next I will attempt the underlap. 

Simplicity 4760

Simplicity 4760 - A PAIN BUT FINALLY DONE!

So I am going to try my hand again at pants. This time it will be pants for Simon, not me, so it should work out better. I chose Simplicity 4760. I am going to use size small and not medium. Simon's hips are a small, but his waist shows medium. We are not the biggest people and are short compare to the average. All the pants I make are H-U-G-E on us, so a small it is. I hope it works out.

We chose a nice olive green corduroy. I preshrunk the material, traced my pattern and cut out the fabric. I read over the instructions and they look straightforward. Wish me luck!

Pattern on material before I cut it out

Attaching the zipper to the fly:

I decided to take pictures of this because I just know that the next time I go to make these pants I will forget what my sewing instructor told me to do!
Line up the zipper right on the seam of the fly and sew using the zipper foot attachment.

 Fold the sewed side.

Take the other side of the front pants and fold over seam and attach to the zipper, pinning in place. If you prefer baste in place in a contrasting color and remove thread once sewed in place.
Voila! Zipper is now sewed in place.

 The cargo pockets were very easy to make. I chose to install the pockets on the side. They have a nice pleat in the middle and it is easily constructed











The corners were simple to fold and sew. I am not advanced enough to not baste. Pin Pin Pin, Baste, Baste, Baste.
If I want good results, I have to take the extra time.

 The directions are very straightforward for the pocket installation. I did an excellent job installing the pockets.










Now, for the parts I had trouble with. The carriers for the belt loop were too slim for my husband's belt. I had to take it apart and make them wider.

He felt that the pants were a tad bit too high waisted. We could remove 3/4 - 1 inch.

The waistband is basically facing. My instructor and I could not properly understand the waistband installation and I goofed it a tad. I told my husband, I don't care, I don't want to hear it, wear them and don't tell me, I know!

I would make these again, but modify the waistband and the fly.