The Real Reason I haven’t Sewn Pants

If sewing pants were easy, everyone would be doing it.

At least, that’s what I tell myself:

“One day I’ll get to it.”

“I just need to lose a little bit of weight first.”

“Once I watch that Craftsy class, I’ll jump right in.”

I wish I could say that those excuses were not my own. But they are- and they’re ones that have compelled me to inaction for a while. They’ve caused me to continue kicking the sewing-pants-thing down the road another week, another month, another year.

And even though I know it would be one of the proudest garments I’ve ever made as a seamstress, sewing pants terrifies me more than sewing my own wedding dress.

The thing is, I know I’m not alone in my feeling about sewing pants.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of other seamstresses out there who want so much to be able to have ONE GOOD pair of pants that fit them perfectly. Especially if they, like me, have spent countless hours wandering department stores, hoping that maybe that next pair of bottoms will be the one.

I’m short: 5’2″.

I have a short torso, and longer legs. I have a low belly. I like a high rise and a skinny leg. I prefer stretch denim and I’ve never owned a pair of trousers where I liked the fit, so I can’t even say I have a favorite pants material to work with.

As someone who strives very much to wear clothing I’m proud of, it’s a rare thing to wear a pair of pants that I can say, “I love those!”

The jeans I’m wearing in these photos is a pair of Levi’s Mile High Super Skinny jeans, which I’ve bought at least ten pairs of, because they’re the only jeans I’ve bought in years that fit decently and I sort of like.

It is absolutely demoralizing to think of all the reasons I’ve used to talk myself out of sewing my own pants. And again, I know I’m not alone in this.

What stops me- or rather- US– from sewing pants?

I’ve come to terms with my excuses:

• I don’t know how to measure my lower body for more than a skirt.
• I don’t know the slightest thing about fitting my low belly.
• I don’t know how to accommodate my bigger bootie.
• I don’t know how to taper the thigh-to-knee area for my chicken legs.
• What if my pants split because I didn’t work out the ease right?
• What if I get a camel-toe? How do I fix that?

This is one of those moments when the solution is sometimes right on the tip of the nose: just do the research. And I know how to do that. I know how to pour over books, articles, read reviews, watch tutorials. It’s how I built my entire sewing technique library. I did the research, I learned, I practiced, and I became an expert at what I love to do.

But for some reason, it seems like an insurmountable uphill battle when it comes to pants. 

My lack of PANTS sewing and fitting experience took me time to come to grips with.

I’ve been honest about my battle with depression, my fears of being a sewing vlogger, and my size fluctuation via my Instagram and YouTube accounts.

The outpouring of support about these various topics is 100% real, and I wouldn’t trade my audience for the world.

So I continue to share with you my experience: I’m terrified of fitting myself for pants. And I know I can learn, but that doesn’t make the fear any less real.

Do you have a particular garment that you haven’t made– because of fear?

Is it a specific pattern? Garment type? Is it a specific type of fabric you have been avoiding like the plague?

Being honest about what we’re shrinking away from, I think, is the first step towards actually taking those steps towards overcoming hesitations.

There’s vulnerability in that. But also an opportunity to connect with the sewing community and with the resources, help, and support to make those garments happen.

I’m challenging myself to make my first pair of pants in 2018.

The year is nearly done, but there’s still time to make myself a pair of corduroy or wool high waisted, 40s pants. On to the adventure!

 

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