simplicity 1696 pants

last year, when we weren't even thinking about Spring just yet,  the runways were full of inspiration for a few seasons ahead. As you know, I fell completely in love with the Michael Kors Spring 2013 Collection, with it's bold colors, retro shapes and fun stripes.

It’s been one delay after another, starting with not being able to find the right sateen locally. After my Denver Fabrics mis-buy, I tried Vogue Fabrics. Placed my order.

A week passed... they called me and told me they were out of stock. Maybe I sounded defeated enough to the customer service rep, because she said she was going to check the warehouse. That was two weeks ago.

Apparently, she felt sorry for me because last week, the most gorgeous sateen arrived in the perfect shade of beige. It was promptly washed and dried and is now transformed with the help of some stash red sateen and a little pop of navy sateen.

Simplicity 1696  is a great pants pattern. Slim leg, simple design. However, it has faux welt pockets. When I make my next pair, I will add actual welted back pockets. I worked a muslin to get the right fit for my straight waist/hips.

My favorite part was piecing that front panel. Easy enough to do..I just drew a line where I wanted my seam,  cut the pattern apart,  and then added seam allowance to each section. 

The fly went in flawlessly.

 I serged all of my seams before sewing them together.  

Now, just think about this. Three different colored fabrics. seams. finishing.

Lots of thread changes on my sewing machine and serger. And where two colors joined at a seam, I would have one color in the bobbin and one color on top. It was time consuming, but I'm glad I did it. 

        Oh, and my navy and red stripe top?  That would be Vogue 8536...a set of basic knit tops. I'll not likely wear this combo without a little jacket over it, but the top is pretty cute, none-the-less.

So, my Michael Kors inspired mini collection is done. Well, almost. I still may do that navy skirt with the zip up the front.