Next up on my completed list is the Clever Charlotte Peridot pants. Description from the website: "The slim [Peridot] Pants showcase a row of small covered buttons at the ankles, and the fitted waist with side zipper lends a tailored look."
Since the pants are a slim fit, I designated this pair for MG. Going by her waist measurement I traced off a size 4. MG is small for her age but is all legs so I added 3 inches to the length of the pants. FYI, the sizing on the Clever Charlotte patterns runs a little large in my opinion so it's key to check the body measurement chart when deciding what size to use.
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Since the pants are a slim fit, I designated this pair for MG. Going by her waist measurement I traced off a size 4. MG is small for her age but is all legs so I added 3 inches to the length of the pants. FYI, the sizing on the Clever Charlotte patterns runs a little large in my opinion so it's key to check the body measurement chart when deciding what size to use.
pattern: Clever Charlotte Peridot Pants
size: 4 with added length
fabric: brown cotton twill
I was a little unsure how the button placket would work. But I followed the directions and sure enough, it came together. After sewing a pair, Nicole recommended neatening the raw edges of the cut out pants before sewing. I agree!
Like Nicole, I ended up adding elastic to the back waistband.
My first invisible zipper went in perfectly and matched the pants' fabric. Per the instructions, I had MG try the pants on after sewing the zipper but before stitching the waistband facing down. The pants were difficult to zip. Once zipped, they fit like a glove and looked great on her...but the back waistband gaped a bit in the center back so I knew that I needed to add a bit of elastic. I also had MG squat down to make sure the pants would be comfortable to wear at school and it became obvious that they were too snug.
My first invisible zipper went in perfectly and matched the pants' fabric. Per the instructions, I had MG try the pants on after sewing the zipper but before stitching the waistband facing down. The pants were difficult to zip. Once zipped, they fit like a glove and looked great on her...but the back waistband gaped a bit in the center back so I knew that I needed to add a bit of elastic. I also had MG squat down to make sure the pants would be comfortable to wear at school and it became obvious that they were too snug.
To add some more ease, I ripped out the side seams from about mid thigh up and restitched them with a 1/4" seam allowance. I also ripped out and restitched the crotch seam with a narrower seam allowance. When it came time to sew the zipper in again, I made sure to not stitch quite so close to the teeth so that it would be easier to zip.
MG tried the pants on again and as we were tugging the zipper pull, the freakin' thing broke. @#$% Yeah, I was not a happy camper.
Out came the seam ripper again.
As you can see, the replacement zipper is green and didn't go in as nicely as the first zipper did.
After taking these photos, I decided to take the zipper out and sew up the side seam. MG was still having trouble zipping the pants by herself. She's never had problems with zippers before but I think the combination of an invisible zip, the location on the side, and the slim fit of the pants did her in. Maybe if I had used a stretch twill that would have given us enough ease (after I let out the seams) to alleviate the zipper problems. But I didn't. Thankfully, with elastic in the back the pants pull down and back up just fine.
The shank buttons I ended up using were liberated from my mom's stash.;)
Having had these cut out for so long the inevitable happened...MG grew a bit! If I had hemmed the pants according to the instructions they would have been too short for my taste. I chose to bind the hems with some Liberty bias binding that I had won from Angela at Sew Mental Mama last year. (The top MG is wearing is made from Liberty jersey that was part of the prize package too. It's a happy coincidence that she was wearing it when I asked her to model the pants.)
Overall, I like the finished pants. The slim fit looks great on MG and the buttons on the side are a great detail. It's important to get the fit right which I struggled a bit with initially. Next time, I'll use my mom's serger to finish all the raw edges before sewing. And I think I might bind the edges of the button placket on the inside for a cleaner finish. Yes, there will be another pair but not until after Christmas!
