Friday, November 29, 2013

Perfectly Pleated Pants--- 2 ways??

I don't know if it's because I have been watching the food network lately or not but I really wanted to offer you up the Perfectly Pleated Pants in two different ways. Like chicken 2 ways, one grilled one in a salad. (I actually don't think I've seen any food network shows with chicken 2 ways, so bad example). Haven't got your pattern yet? You can get it here.

What I had in mind was our pants turned into a skirt... Yes a skirt!! And it really takes very little adjustments from you. First you'll need to take your front and back pattern pieces. Before you cut them out use a ruler to draw a line 1/2"  in from the inner crotch seam to about where you want the skirt to end, be sure to add an extra 1 1/4" for the hem. By doing this you will be eliminating the entire curve of the crotch seam. You now have a straight edge that you can cut on the fold. Repeat this same process for the back pants crotch seam.


Cut out your pants pieces with your newly drawn straight edge on the fold of the fabric. Cut 1 of each. Cut your remaining pattern pieces as per the instructions in the pattern.


Mark the center front of your skirt, transfer your pleat markings onto either side of the center front. (I cut my pattern front in two pieces due to my weird shaped fabric remnant). 

Pleat as per the pattern instructions. 



Continue following the instructions for adding the pockets. Sew the side seams of your front and back together. Continue following pattern instructions to add the waistband.

Now that you have your skirt put together you just need to hem it! I serged around the entire bottom of my skirt to give it an even finish. I pressed that serged hem up 1/4" and then I pressed it up again another 1". Topstitch your hem down right at the edge of your pressed hem. 


Now all I need to is wrangle up my 18 month old and take pictures with her wearing it!




Thursday, November 21, 2013

Designers Challenge and a New Pattern!

Hi! I'm Elise, one half of the duo over at Dandelions n' Dungarees. I'm here blogging today because a few months ago a fellow designer and PDF pattern seller suggested that the PDF designers do a collaborative challenge, the basis of the challenge was simple-create something out of the box, something new and interesting. Seeing as Dandelions n' Dungarees is new to the PDF scene virtually anything we do is a challenge and NEW---so challenge accepted! After signing up for the challenge I put it out of my head... until I got the reminder notice a few weeks ago. Fortunately, I had been working on the Perfectly Pleated Pants. I felt they were perfect for the challenge.

First, let me start with the Perfectly Pleated Pants that weren't. The pants first started out with a comfy knit waistband, after my first sample, and some feedback from testers, it just didn't look right-so the knit waistband was nixed. Next, I hit the dilemma of how to write my tutorial on the pleats, I didn't figure people would appreciate me telling them to eyeball it LOL. Because my pleat pants originally had a fly, creating equal pleats was very difficult, the method I came up with in my tutorial wasn't working-it was just a disaster. So the fly went the way of the knit waistband. In the end my original vision was still realized and I learned A LOT along the way, especially to not procrastinate.

The Perfectly Pleated Pants: Sizes 12 months-8 Features 4 pleats with a flat front waist and elasticized back waist. Has 2 functional drop pockets (what kid doesn't love pockets?) and a cuffed ankle. Pattern also includes tutorial options for a rolled cuff, back pockets, and button tabs.

I love how you can dress these pants up with some satin or make them out of comfy flannel... really the fabric options are endless!

                                           


                                                 
Photo/Sewing Credits: Cindi, Angela, Nicole, and Tina (respectively)


You can get your Perfectly Pleated Pants here. Oh and Good news! They are on sale today and tomorrow (11/21-11/22) for only $5, use code: challenge. We are also giving away a copy through Pattern Revolution, don't worry, if you win we'll refund you for your purchase.
a Rafflecopter giveaway