I love a comfy knit, so it’s no surprise that I eventually got around to trying out True Bias’ Hudson pants. Like many sewists I’ve chatted with, I’m not convinced they would ever be “flattering” on me… but they feel fun and modern, so who cares if they make my hips look bigger or smaller? (Spoiler: My hips are big and will always look big! 😉
I had a bit of an issue printing out the pdf – the 2″ square came out about 2 1/4″, but I figured that since I’m right at the top end of the sizing, a little extra room wouldn’t hurt. However, as I taped it together I realised that about 1/2″ of height had been cut off on each page. “No problem!” I thought. “I’ve got short legs.” Somehow though, the pants still turns out a bit long and WAY too wide. When I compared the pattern to my trusty Maria of Denmark Laura Lounge Pants, there was at least 2″ of extra width both front and back!
The end result is that I had to take in all the seams as I sewed, and still got quite a loose fit!
The front crotch is jacked up, and the back could use some scooping… but on the plus side, the rise ended up nicely high so they sit at my true waist and won’t fall down constantly. This version is made up in a thin french terry without much stretch or recovery, so predictably, they’ve gone massively baggy through the day. Next time I’ll definitely get more resilient fabric next!
For the contrast bit I used leftover fabric from one of my Nettie-Tiramisu dresses, which means these pants qualify for Scraptember over on the Sewcialist site. I messed up the pockets a bit by not following the instructions… so I went with faux pockets instead. Less bulk, so let’s call it a win!
I also skipped the topstitching on the waistband and string tie at the waist… by that point it was clear these were destined to be pyjama pants, so why bother?
Overall, I was pleased with the pattern and I’ll definitely give them another shot. The PDF was nicely laid out so that it was easy to put together – I’ve decided that I love PDFs that are just 4 or 5 pages wide, because it makes it much easier to trim off completed pattern pieces as you go, and then finished PDF doesn’t end up being the size of a room!
I’m always a bit wary putting pics of pants on the blog… or more specifically, on Flickr! They seem to be the number one thing that creepy strangers add as a favourite. Um, no. Back off my crotch pics, weirdos! These have got to be the least sexy pants ever, but here we are. For that reason I’ve put these pics as “private” on Flickr. (And kuddos to Flickr, it’s easy to block people or remove your pics from their lists…) Oddly, I don’t mind pics like this being on the blog – I always ask myself, “How would I feel if a student/parent/principal saw these pics?” and truly, it’s hard to get more modest then this outfit! 🙂
Do you find certain types of pics get unpleasant attention on Flickr or elsewhere? How do you decide what pics you’ll share with the world, or not?
Crafting A Rainbow 
They look cozy, and that is probably the goal, so it’s a win! I haven’t made myself shorts or pants yet that I feel are super flattering. Therefore, no photos exist of me in flattering pants. So I just post what I want, heedlessly! Anyway, despite your PDF complications they are cute and you know what to do next time! Always good to learn. Curious as I am, did the pattern have the finished garment measurements in the pattern? I wish more indie patterns had that! I use it every time.
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Yup, they are indeed cosy! Not any cosier than leggings or the yoga-style pants I’ve been making for years… but cosy. There wasn’t a finished measurements chart – wish there had been! 😉
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Cute and comfy looking! Sometimes it’s not about being flattering fashion but just being plain comfortable. =)
Can’t say I know about the creepy attention because I don’t have a Flickr account, but I do get occasional weird likes and comments on IG. As long as I’m the one controlling what photos of me are posted online, there’s not much anyone can do to make me uncomfortable with my own pictures. I think your test of “How would I feel if a student/parent/principal saw these pics?” is perfect.
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Yeah, there’s a certain glory to wearing frumpy but comfortable clothes! And I do like that there are no drafts at the ankles… must keep the precious warmth inside! 😉
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OK, I didn’t know that pants posts get all the creepers. On a diff subject, I’m jealous that you made these this weekend. I almost decided to, but I was too distracted by other responsibilities and I just didn’t want to spend every minute occupied. The pattern totally reminds me of the Roots version I bought a few weeks ago.
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On the one hand, I think you’d like this pattern, and they are well drafted… and you don’t have the tricky fit issues on your bottom half that you do on top! On the other hand, I feel like the last thing you need right now is a disappointment if they don’t turn out. There’s something to be said for just buying more RTW pants that you know you like! 😉
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Ha! I’m a bit fragile…
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We all have times where we can’t handle another problem! 😉
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These are super cute. I have found that a cotton spandex with good 4 way stretch seems to work out the best. The two pairs I made out of ponte are okay but they just don’t fit as nicely.
I love your floral pockets – great stash busting!
I am always a bit leery of posting photos anywhere, but so far I’ve been okay. I just ask myself if I would be okay with everyone I know seeing them, and if the answer is yes, I post them.
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I”ll keep my eyes open for 4-way stretch fabric. I’m always looking for it for leggings, and Fabricland’s selection always disappoints! All they have is that $25/m stuff that is a boring solid colour. Don’t they know I want prints?!?!? 😉
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I agree, Fabricland sucks for knits. I bought some of that $25/m stuff when it was on sale and it’s not worth it at all! Pilled like crazy!
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These look so cute on you! Love ’em! I really like mine, although the knit I chose isn’t the best (it’s a weird synthetic that I can already tell is going to pill, yuck). Even if these are just pajamas, it’s still nice to upgrade that part of your wardrobe! These will be so great around the house!
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I’m sorry to hear your Hudson fabric isn’t the best… but as you say, having new pyjama pants is always nice! 🙂
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Ooo- they look super comfy, and I really love the contrast fabric. So cute. The Hudson is on my sewing wishlist, currently my serger is on service, and I just cross my fingers and hope that it´s not too broken. These will hopefully be one of the first things that I´ll make after I get my serger back.:)
About Flickr – I have a push warning on my phone on any Flickr- activity, and try to check out what is happening as soon as possible. If what they have in their feed (or more importantly what they favorite), makes me just remotely uncomfortable, I will block them. My pics are mine. with that said, I use Flickr much less now than before, and do more often upload edited pics directly from my computer to my blog, instead of adding them through Flickr.
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My fingers are crossed for you too! Come back, little serger!
I do the same with flickr… basically, if they don’t have sewing in their handle or photostream, I’m gonna block them. I do appreciate that Flickr lets me know about who has fav’d a pic though, and it is pretty easy to block people. Otherwise I”d stop altogether!
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Really pleased to have found your lovely blog again! Now following you on WordPress 🙂
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Thanks for coming over, Fiona! I’m glad you found me again too! 🙂
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These are cute on you Gillian! I don’t particularly like making pants but these might just work..I prefer to wear dresses but cold weather is coming whether I like it or not and a cozy pair of pants may be needed. I like that you omitted the pockets in these…it really would reduce the bulk especially for PJ pants. Nice job!
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I”m sure at some point I’ll wish I could put my iphone in a pocket while wearing these pants, but you are right – those pockets add a lot of bulk and I hate when the lines of the pocket bag show through!
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I’m glad you made the leap! Comfort is key. But a 1/4″ scaling issue will become HUGE over time – might be worth downloading Adobe Reader since I think they have the best printer dialogue box for scaling stuff.
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That’s a good suggestion. I’ll be more careful what program I’m printing from… I was using my parent’s printer while I was over, and I definitely wasn’t careful enough! 😉 Although thank goodness they were too big, not too small!
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They do look comfortable, though I don’t think that’s a pattern I’ll be trying out myself. They’re just a little too sweatpants-looking for me, and I prefer the idea of wearing jeans out in public for my casual days, since I live in an area where leggings-as-pants and frumpy sweatpants are all too prevalent. Gotta keep it classier. 🙂
I think the weirdest Flickr thing I had was a message from some guy who had a fetish about girls in plaid, and wanted to add my flannel shirt pictures to a group he made for that. Ugh.
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Yeah, these are classy track pants on other people, but definitely not on me! Especially once they got even more baggy as the day went on…
Plaid shirts? People like the strangest things. (I mean, I like a plaid shirt, but to oogle pics of strangers in plaid? NO!)
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I love this pattern! I can’t wait to make another pair. Good idea to use your stash for accents….I wish my brain came up with obvious, brilliant ideas like that 🙂 Also, flickr banned my account a long time ago after some pictures I posted from the SF pride parade because apparently someone took offense. I guess I have the opposite problem and someone thought I was the creep. Oops!
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Whaaaaa? That’s crazy. there’s no way to get your account active again? I’d be pissed!
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Your Hudson pants look super cozy & cute! I’ve totally been lurking both them & Papercut’s Anima for some casual winter pants. As for one day missing functional pockets, you could always add a back patch pocket or two. People on Flickr can be… Interesting. Like you I always check their photos & groups – there’s a lot of creepiness there. I’m guessing blog photos don’t bother you because of the accompanying text. Talking about fit & your experience can be educational for readers as opposed to a photo that just says “hey! Look at my pretty pants!”
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I”m really curious to see a side-by-side comparison of Hudsons and Amina pants… I was talking to Jen from Grainline about the two patterns, and she reckons that the big difference is that Animas have more ease. My Hudsons came out plenty baggy though, thanks to my printing error! ;P Hope you give one of the paterns a try!
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So it’s been a handful of years. Have you ever made these again?
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No, I never did make them again! I just like wearing leggings more if I’m going for lounge clothes!
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