I have just finished a version I considered my trial version of the Hot Patterns Metropolitan Slouchy Trouser Jean.
I think these pants worked great for a first try. I decided against a muslin as I know the HP Marrakesh Pants fit me pretty well and these are meant to be similar. I purchased a cotton-linen blend from Spotlight and was happy at how it washed and ironed. The making of the pants took me quite a while - fly front, coin pockets, jeans yoke and styling. I did quite a bit of top-stitching too... photos to show the results...
Side pockets, coin pockets and belt loops...
Pretty quilting fabric for inside the pockets...
and inside the waistband and fly...
and the back with jeans pockets and jeans-style yoke...
I think the fit is pretty good. The side seam lies perfectly straight and I seem to need a wider leg pant to achieve this without a large amount of alterations. I actually took quite a bit of time to sew these pants. In fact I think I spent more time sewing them, than their wearing life...
Huge fabric FAIL! Every seam has done this after one day of wear. I do believe these pants were sized fine and had no great additional strain on the seams... so I am putting this down to buying fabric that was not designed to be sewn or worn.
Please tell me if there is something I am missing in this, as I am seriously thinking of sending a complaint to the chain I purchased this fabric from....huruumph!
Oh and if you have got this far into the post, can you let me know if you think it is worth making another pair - if I can find fabric worthy of the trouble! ... Ciao!
How disappointing! It does seem like a fault with the fabric to have given way so quickly. How did you finish the seam allowances?
ReplyDeleteThe trousers look fine to me and worth making again. (I love the facing fabric you chose!)
To sew the seams, I did a regular line of straight stitch then overlocked the edges, either together or separately depending on how they were to be pressed. I did not top stitch the seams (jeans style) as I needed to check the fit when they were done and did not want such a 'jeans' look.
DeleteThey looked great - what a shame about the fabric fail. I once made a linen a-line dress that shredded on the first wear in every place that had minimal strain on it, not just the seams. It was so upsetting, not to mention embarrassing! I would make a complaint to the store about the fabric not being fit for purpose.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've done everything you could, I think it's a fabric fault. That being said the pants look pretty good
ReplyDeleteI really like the pants and can't believe you are sounding so calm about the fabric. I would let the head office of Spotlight know they have a quality issue. The girls at the local store aren't going to be able to do anything about it, but it's an issue that I imagine the buyers would want to know about.
ReplyDeleteI think it's worth sewing another pair - obviously not in that fabric, though.
I'd definitely complain that is not acceptable after one wearing and the pants look great on you so I definitely would make another pair.
ReplyDeleteForget the fabric.
ReplyDeleteThe pattern however was worth it so go for another pair.
What a bummer! Great pants though and I think a fabric fail. Would definately complain to Spotlight. It's a bit of a hit and miss affair at Spotlight. I have bought some great fabric from there but I have had my share of 'misses' as well. Don't get turned off the pattern as the pants look really good.
ReplyDeleteHow disappointing and frustrating! They look great, apart from the fabric fail. Please complain to Spotlight so hopefully other people won't have the same problem.
ReplyDeleteOh no, I was reading your post and looking at the photos thinking "why on earth is this post titled fail"? and then I got to the end. How incredibly frustrating, but yes when you can face it I think you should make another pair (in different fabric obviously!).
ReplyDeleteYikes, that's tragic! But the fit was great - and definitely worth making another pair (if you can muster up enough patience, I know I generally can't.)
ReplyDeleteWhat a dissapointment after all the effort you put in. The pants warrant another go with a reliable fabric. I would definitely complain to Spotlight head office and include your photos so they can see what's happened.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, I have fabric like this. It is wool with silk and the seams just spread. The only way to stop it is to use fusible tape in every seam. Some fabrics just can't take any strain at all
ReplyDeleteThis is cotton-linen blend and gave no indication when I was sewing it that it wouldn't take any strain. I have used cotton-linen blends before without this problem.
DeleteSue this is just terrible, and so sad, because your pants look so good for fit and the finishing details, and should absolutely have been wearable for several years if the fabric had been good. Just thinking, you know the look of those shredded seams just reminds me of old op shop clothing that sometimes you might see a garment and then see the fabric seperated on one or both sides of a a seam or worn out bed sheeting that rips just from hanging on the clothes line?
DeleteI think you should bring this to Spotlight's attention as defective fabric and I am hoping they will offer to replace it with something else- and perhaps a gift voucher for your wasted time and money and frustration would be nice too. I bought some linen cotton from there from last year thinking of pants and a skirt, and now I am wondering whether or not I will bother even trying to sew with it...some testing will be in order before I cut a garment. When did you buy your fabric?
Stephanie, I bought this fabric a few weeks ago and I will bring it to their attention.
DeleteHow horrible - the pants are lovely and well worth the effort with another pair. I feel your pain - all that hard work. I'm with Stephanie - take it back!
ReplyDeleteYes, take it back! The pants look great and you should make them again.
ReplyDeleteWell, amazingly I found the receipt and I did take the pants back, along with the fabric left-overs and the thread and I got my money back on all that plus the zip which was also on the receipt. It doesn't compensate me for my time or the quilting fabric I used in the pockets, etc but at least I have been compensated for the items I spent money on for these pants.
ReplyDeleteSue I'm so glad you got your money back - a shame about the quilting material though.
ReplyDeleteLike Allison, I couldn't work out why you'd titled the post "Fail" when the pants themselves looked so great... until I got to the fabric fail point. I wonder how you would go about testing fabric for that kind of issue. Sewing a sample and giving it a few tugs probably wouldn't recreate the issue... Hmmm.
Hi, i live in toowoomba too!! Im a beginner in this hobby. Now, im trying to sew a modern cloth nappy for my dear daughter. But, im not as good as you. I like reading your blog and gain knowledge to sew more. Tq..
ReplyDeleteRegards, lyn, Stenner St, kearney spring
Very disappointing! Glad you got a refund, but really, after spending all that time and effort, you deserve more!
ReplyDeleteI always imagine/fear that the first time I wash a new garment it will fall apart in the machine somehow. But it has never actually happened, of course. But now I have a new fear - that it will disintegrate as I'm wearing it!
How disappointing the pants look great. I love all the details.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got a refund. Would be interesting to go into the same store in a few days and see if they are selling the same fabric or not.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel - all that work and no way of rescuing it! I made a loose top out of linen gauze - it is very sheer so I made french seams and at the fianl fitting the seams just sarting pulling apart.sigh
ReplyDelete