These Side stripe trousers are my BurdaStyle project as part of the influencer team for December…I know…it’s January (and a new year). Well, I was quite a bit slower than usual in getting these completed and if you follow me on Instagram then you might already know why if you saw my post from just before Christmas…
You see, unfortunately, my dear Dad passed away a few days before Christmas (and after I had written my recap post).
My dad went very peacefully with my mum and me at his bedside in the nursing home where he had been since last January, and whilst dad’s passing wasn’t completely unexpected due to his frailty, it did happen quite suddenly and without much warning, so it’s quite a shock to be left with the big hole in our lives that he once filled. My dad was loving, very kind, a true gentleman and always a huge supporter of my sewing and photography (I owe my interest in photography to him), and I know he would want me to continue to keep finding joy in my creativity. I will miss him…
Moving on with that creative note though, I really should get on with telling you about my trousers. So, as I said, this was my December project and when I saw these side stripe trousers (number 117 11/2018) in the November collection of patterns I immediately wanted to try them.
#Please
For quite some time I knew that I wanted some burgundy trousers in my life and the fabric I’ve used for this project is a deep burgundy coloured poly blend stretch bengaline that I bought from Clothspot. The stretch runs along the length of the fabric, not the width
Side Stripe Trousers Pattern Details
This brings me nicely on to the subject of the pattern itself. For a pair of trousers, there are actually quite a few pattern pieces, 12 in fact. The waistband is slightly curved for a lovely fit and the front layer of the band is in two halves with a seam running horizontally around the middle that some piping is inserted into. There’s a side concealed zip fastening, a side stripe applied down each front leg, two angled hip pockets and one back pocket. I decided to completely omit the back pocket because I was already giving myself extra work to do when I took it upon myself to increase my workload for this project by adding ankle zips which I’ve always loved in my olive trousers seen in this post. All in all though, given all of the features I just mentioned, I would say that you’d need to be a fairly confident sewer to consider making this design. It’s certainly not for a new sewer.
The first stage of making up my trousers was to sew the angled pockets. As with a lot of Burda trousers they have that lovely extension on the inside which goes right across the front and acts like a tummy control panel as well as anchoring the pocket bags nicely. I decided to cut back a bit on
Once I’d completed the pockets I set about constructing the waistband. For the band insertion/piping (and side stripe also), I used a lovely deep brown viscose twill bias binding that I bought from
Next came the rather tricky bit…the fitting. Now, the pattern instructions say to stitch the side stripe on to the front trousers before sewing up the side seams. Well, knowing my shape oddities (flat butt, slightly knock-knees and a wide waist) I knew that I would probably need to do a fair bit of trying on and tweaking of side seams and crotch curve so I decided to exercise my couture muscles and to hand sew the stripe on at the end of my project so that I could be sure of the fit before committing to the stripes. I really didn’t want to faff with basting, fitting, then marking and unpicking to stitch on the brown stripe. I’m glad I took this approach because I did actually struggle to get the fit right over my bum and at the back of my legs. The fabric had a tendency to show crinkles fairly easily and I was determined to get a smoother fit…so yes, there was a LOT of faffing. I’m pretty pleased with the resulting shape on me though, so it was worth the effort.
Once I was happy with fit and length I inserted the ankle zips and then set to work carefully hand sewing the lovely twill binding on the sides. I basted it well first and then used a back stitch to attach the stripes down both edges. I really enjoyed the slow process actually and I found that it enabled me to avoid any twisting or pushing along that might have resulted from using my machine for the task. Luckily the twill weave of the binding was great to allow my stitches to blend in nicely.
I kept the styling for my trousers fairly simple with a plain sweater (made by me) and a statement boot (my boots are by Lamica and I got them from Zalando). I really think I’m going to enjoy wearing my new make and they’ve turned out to be very comfy indeed.
Well, that’s it for now. I’ll be taking my time to get back up to full blogging speed, but thanks so much for stopping by and I want to wish you a very happy and peaceful new year.
See you soon xx
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Wow! Fitting would be difficult with that stripe in the side seam. I’d have done it the same way…. and hope for the best! 😁 you did a lovely job! Condolences to you and your family. We lost our Mom during the summer and there isn’t a day I don’t think of her, but I hear it takes time to move on… take it easy. ❤️
Author
Thanks so much Linda. I know it would have been tricky eh?
Aww, thanks also for the kind thoughts. I thought about you and your mum too. You take care as well xx
My condoleances on your Dad passing away.
I do love your pants, I have arrived at the conclusion that I could achieve that look with any straight legged trouser pattern, just sewing by hand a twill binding on the main fabric… Did I get it right (English is not my mother tongue)
Esther
Author
Hi Esther. Thank you!
Yes absolutely. You could customise any trouser pattern with a stripe of twill or grosgrain ribbon down the side to add an on-trend look to some plain trousers.
I’m so sorry to hear you lost your Dad over the holidays! Sending you hugs and good wishes….on to the pants! I love the stripe and the fit looks spot on! I saw that pattern in the Burda style magazine and marked it as a must do. Your version has convinced me I should make them sooner rather than later. They look so great on you!
Author
Thanks so much, Linda xx.
Bet you’d look fab in this pants pattern!
Very nice look and fit! Thanks. Condolences to you and your family for your Dad passing. He sounds like a wonderful guy.😊
Author
Thanks so much, Heather!
my sympathy on losing your father. how nice that you were near. Those trousers look fantastic and now I need to try that pattern.
Author
That’s really kind of you Beth, thank you xx.
And thanks for the trouser love!
I’m so sorry for your loss, Diane. Dad’s are special! Love your new pants! You always look stylish. And thank you for letting us Bloglovin readers know when you post – I’d hate to miss even one.
Author
Aww, thank you, Kathy. Yes dads are special ☺
I’m so glad you love my new trousers and its good to hear that my way of letting my Blogovin readers know about new posts is working 👍
My condolences on the passing of your father. I am sure you have lots of happy memories that will help sustain you in the coming months/years. Love this make. Your makes are always inspiring and this one is no exception.
Author
Thanks, Chris, you’re very kind. I’m sure our memories will comfort us.
Thanks also for the lovely words about my latest make xx
I’m so sorry for your loss, Diane. Let the good memories you have of him bring you comfort. 🌹
These trousers are smashing! Impeccable fit and beautiful sewed!
Author
That’s very sweet of you. Thanks, Wis xx And thank you too for the kind words about my trousers. Glad you like them!
What a lovely pair of pants. So sorry about your dad, mine has been gone for 15 years and I still miss him.
Author
Thank you so much for the kind words, Celeste.
Catching up on blogs and not done much sewing recently for similar reasons. Mum in nursing care home since last January and also passed away just before Christmas. My mum taught me to sew . I love your trousers Will be getting back to sewing myself soon
Author
Oh no Ann, I’m so sorry to hear this. It sounds like we almost had a parallel year as we went through very similar situations. No rush to get creative….I’m only going slowly xx
I’m so sorry to read that your Dad passed away and how wonderful that he loved what you do; you’re very good at it!
Your personal touches and creative adjustments are so inspiring.
Author
Oh bless, that’s lovely of you to say. Thank you!
So very sorry about the loss of your Dad. He sounds like he was a wonderful father. Hugs!!
You’ve done a fabulous job on these pants Diane and the fit is perfect! Striking with the fit you achieved, the side stripe detail and zip, not to mention how you’ve styled it beautifully. Again, so appreciate how you share construction details and I’ve ‘pinned’ this to refer back to as I’d love to make a pair like this one day. 🙂
Author
Aww, thanks so much Lisa. I miss him a lot.
And thanks for the pants love. Bet you’d look fab in this style!
So sorry to hear of the loss of your wonderful father. When my father passed away it was close to the holidays and I know how difficult that can be.
Your pants are beautiful and the fit is spot on.
Author
Thanks for the kind words Karie x