Monday, January 21, 2013

Project Run and Play Week #3 Boy's Challenge


This week was the boy challenge.  This is a challenge for sure.  My son is always asking me to make things for him, but he is eight and cutesy stuff just won't do anymore.  Not long ago I had bought a pair of Banana Republic men's dress pants that I was sure that I could cut down and make nice dress pants for my son.  The material was high quality so I knew that it would hold up when sewing it.  

I took the whole pair of pants apart with the seem ripper.  See I have never made a pair of pants before that didn't have an elastic waistband.  I learned quite a bit about how pants should go together, but wish I had taken pictures of each step to help myself remember.

I outlined a pair of my sons skinnier pants and used it as the pattern to cut down these pants.  I really wanted to try and keep the pockets on the front and back which causes me to make them a little bit bigger than I had originally wanted to.

Once I had all the seams sewn and the zipper back in, I realized that they were too wide and had to reverse them on my son and pin them to make them smaller.  

The biggest issues I had were with the zipper and the waistband.  I have decided I will do some more research on this because while the pants turned out functional, they need some serious work.

In the end though the pants fit pretty well considering that it was my first attempt.......
For the top half of the outfit I found this sweater at the goodwill, it was a men's size small and still too big for my 8 year old.   I noticed it was wool and thought I would try and shrink it.   With some hot water it shrunk up at little, then I dried it and it shrunk up some more.  I was afraid I might have shrunk it too much but it turned out perfectly. 

Finally, I put a teal shirt underneath that was just sitting in my son's closet.   I am so thankful to be finished with this week and can't wait till next week as that outfit is almost done!

6 comments:

  1. Great job!!! I've done a "real" pair of boy shorts with zipper/pockets/waistband but haven't attempted another! LOL! Find a pattern with a picture tutorial and I'm sure you can do it! :)

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    1. Thanks I am determined so pattern shopping I go!

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    2. Melly Sews Clean Slate Pants pattern is fabulous! I used it this week to make my first pair of pants with a working button/zipper fly ... she walks you through the process and it is so easy.

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  2. You did a great job with the pants. I have not been brave enough to attempt 'big boy' pants with front fly and zippers, etc.

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  3. It is a great outfit! My son hates anything he calls "dressing up" - which is anything with a collar. I love that outfit though :)

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  4. I love the idea of shrinking the wool sweater! I think it is so fun that we can learn as we attempt. Your project turned out great, and your little man couldn't be more dapper!
    with love
    -Jo

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