Men’s Pants Jalie 2107

Men’s Pants (or shorts)

I don’t sew for my hubby too often.  Bathrobes and shirts are it, for the most part, other than a bit of mending.  He doesn’t wear tee-shirts, preferring button down short sleeved shirts with pockets.  He’s 6 ft 3,  so I often add a couple of extra buttonholes and use the extra buttons that come with “good” ready-made shirts if I don’t make them myself.  Men’s pants are on the menu.

One of the best classes I ever took was the Islander Sewing Techniques! (I’m a certified teacher) As part of the instructor’s requirements, a man’s long-sleeved shirt had to be made and sent in for assessment.

Anyway, he needed new pants for travel, with secure pockets large enough for maps, passports, and of course, his money.  This came up on our latest vacation, and I wrote a short post outlining this idea.  (Read it here)  As an ambassador for Jalie, this was an opportunity for me to sew and review “Men’s Pants, 2107“.

This project was sew satisfying to me.  There are many pieces, after all, these are REAL men’s pants!  This pattern made me think.  It was out of my normal sewing comfort zone.  

I had to follow the instructions! (They’re great!)

They have front pockets that stay put, a real fly front, belt loops,  waistband, cargo pockets with flaps,  back patch pockets and plenty of opportunity for some twin needle top-stitching.

His only request was velcro flap closures as his arthritic fingers and buttons aren’t a happy combination.  And flaps on the back pockets, for added security.

Not a problem, I actually had tan coloured velcro.

I decided to make a pair of shorts first, to check the size and fit.  So I measured his hips, (42 inches) and after printing, and taping the pattern pieces together (this is only available as a downloadable PDF), I traced off size “V”.  (hip 41 3/4″)  I found a piece of tan coloured cotton twill,  cut out the pieces, and got to sewing.  

It all went together very well, and I enjoyed the process.  There was no deadline, so no pressure.   

My Pressing Jig

I made myself a little pressing jig, for accuracy and to save my fingers.  It’s a 1-inch wide strip of tag cardboard, ( a cereal box would work, too) about 12 inches long.  I marked a line 3/8 inch, (1 cm) along one long edge and used it to press the edges of the pockets, the edge of the waistband and the belt-loops.

Finished!

TMI

When I brought the finished shorts into the living room yesterday afternoon, during a TV football game, my hubby stood up off the couch, immediately unzipped his jeans and dropped them to the ground.  He couldn’t wait to try these on.

My Next Pair of Men’s Pants

My next pair will be sized by my hubby’s waist measurement, not his hip.  WHAT WAS I THINKING?

I wasn’t.  Thinking.  They wouldn’t button up.   I actually felt like crying.

I have more of that tan twill.

I’m going to remove the pockets carefully and re-use them.  The placement of the velcro took a lot of brain power.

Have you sewn for the men in your life?  How was your experience?  Have you sewn these; Jalie Men’s Pants 2107?  Will you?  Want to join me in sewing up the next pair?