Burda 3/2010 Slim Trousers

With the aid of a high tech method of putting the names in a tupperware container, shaking it about and drawing a name out... the winner of the Patrones Special is.... Deb!  Your magazine will be on its way shortly. 

I've finally finished a pair of pants!  And ... things I must remember NOT to do in the future - have a bulk cut out session of black clothes in similar fabrics, remove the pattern pieces, stack the cut pieces in a drawer, then rummage around in them and mix it all up. 

These were mystery pants - for some time I couldn't work out or remember what pattern I was actually making or whether they were from the right trousers but then... oh yes - they are meant to be these!    From March Burda.   And they are nice!

 Also shown in a patterned fabric.

Being uninspired by any trouser fabrics in my stash I had a quick visit to the Potter Textiles Outlet shop (WA sewers - it is in McEwan Street, Leederville - just by the clock on Loftus Street nr Cambridge Street - and they aren't open on Saturday).   

My gratitude to the Burda Sewing Club members who alerted me to this place - it is fantastic!   

Not a huge range - I understand that they manufacture and it is their end rolls, remnants and samples, but the stock changes all the time.   And the prices are just great.  I keep going back every week buying more and more fabric.... I want them to succeed and keep open and not shut like everywhere else!

Naturally I didn't leave the shop with mere trouser fabric.  I bought the end of the roll of a terrific black cotton/viscose/spandex bottomweight and a bronze cotton/spandex, also for pants; a remnant of lovely silk cotton and some purple/black spattery print viscose cotton.

So, back to the trousers.   I like the end result and they could be a TNT if I need a slim cut pant trouser - without the pockets.   For trousers I think I prefer the normal cut in side pockets rather than pockets actually in the side seam as the latter tend to gape and I made a bit of a meal of inserting them.

Pattern Description:  Slim trousers/pants with topstitched front creases and wide, shaped waistband.

Pattern Sizing:     38 to 46. For Burda trouser patterns I end up with a size blend - 44/46 bottom and quite a lot taken out of the width of the legs. These are meant to be slimline but I had to narrow them an inch.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.  

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Burda and I are not on the same wavelength regarding instructions.  I didn't initially get the pocket instructions but other than the pockets, they are simple pants to make.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?   I very much like the narrow shape and the topstitched creases. This is a nice, plain, flattering, practical pant.

I'm not that keen on the in seam pockets - too fiddly and potentially gapey.   I would probably leave the pockets off next time, which would make them a very easy to make trouser.

Fabric Used:   Cotton/viscose/spandex from Potter Textiles.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:     My recommendation - cut 4 pocket facings (rather than 2 as Burda says) and use the facing on front and back of the pocket piece. I originally only put the facing on the back pocket piece as per the Burda instructions, but then as the pockets are in the side seam they can gape and the lining was showing on the unfaced piece.  

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I may make these again. It is a nice slimline pant pattern.   And I would definitely recommend them to others.

Conclusion:   Good wardrobe basic.