CRAFTY | NEW SKILLS FOR BIG BUTTS

In the past 12 months I’ve done a lot of sewing.  I’ve made quilt tops and even a zippered pouch or two, but I’ve yet to tackle making clothes.  For some reason clothes seems to be a big area of fear for me. I have so many friends that make their own clothes and they rock at it, but for me it’s just one of those areas where I have a mental hurdle telling me I can’t do it.

Months and months ago I purchased the Made by Rae Big Butt Baby Pants pattern.  I don’t know why, I think in a moment of insanity brought on by watching the Great British Sewing Bee I thought I could conquer the sewing world.  Regardless of the why, I now have the pattern.

Then the other day I was flicking through Instagram and there was a rush of photos of people who’d been sewing for their kids and I got to thinking about that pattern.  One thing lead to another and before I knew it I was hunting for fabric to use.

I hit the jackpot when I came across the above dinosaur fabric from one of the fabric bundles I won through the Exhibition. Gold!

I printed out the pattern, set it up on the fabric and cut it out.

After a few failed attempts (I literally sewed both sides of the pants to the bum insert… then had to unpick them only to sew the entire front leg seam together and make it a skirt! Reading directions is not my strong suit!) I actually managed to produce something that looked like it was supposed to.

The kid was fast asleep, which is always the way when I achieve something that needs a model, so I had to wait till the next day for him to try them on.

He happily put the pants on (I say he put the pants on, but in reality I dressed him) and went about his daily activities.  I was so chuffed with myself – even though I’d sewn the back panel in upside down and they were probably a size too small.

He looked fabulous! I got such a kick out of seeing him getting around in pants that I made that I went out to Spotlight the next day and bought a butt load (pun intended) of fabrics to make more big butt pants from!

I have a big stash of fabric destined to become pants. The first up was this cool retro robot fabric.

I’m getting better (read less unpicking) and I’m focusing on cleaning up my techniques.  I’m just so happy to be making something useful (not that quilts aren’t useful, but I wouldn’t let him wear a quilt (he’s too messy!)) and something that carries on a long tradition in my family of Mother’s and Nana’s making shorts.

I have grand plans for making Christmas pants for the whole family (not that HUBBY or I will need the nappy insert… maybe…) this Christmas.  Just another thing to add to my list, but it’s too cool not to do it.

I have this half crazed idea to actually, maybe, one day, possibly, sell some of the pants that I make.  I’m not convinced that people would want to buy pants that I make, but it’s something I’m strongly considering.  Would just need to get some product testers lined up first… something for 2014.

Maybe I’m alone in this, but I just can’t resist a little kid in handmade pants. It’s just too cute!