The Inspiration
We're not big skiers, but we took the kids skiing last week, and we were woefully unprepared. Without the right gear, the kids finished their day cold, wet, and uncomfortable, though they did have a blast.
So I decided we all needed ski pants, and I would make them. I spent about 48 hours googling *sew your own ski pants* and clicked on a link to a link to a link to a link. I learned all about the different technical fabrics out there, and got a headache choosing between this waterproof breathable and that, what to use for a warmth layer, and making sure the pants would easily slip over clothes.
The Background
Before I knew it, I had several hundred dollars worth of merchandise in various shopping carts across the internet.
Now, this may sound unfamiliar to you, but it would actually not be the first time I've spent way too much money on a grand project, only to lose interest before completing, or even starting, said project.
So I went back to my best friend Google, who referred me to the blog of a woman who had made snow pants for her kids from PUL. I knew I had some PUL stashed away from my diaper making days, and though it wouldn’t be enough for the whole family, maybe I could start with something for my 4-year old.
Then I hunted for a pattern. Most of what I saw on the internet said you could use any baggy pants, and just make them a size larger. I remembered that when my now teenage kids were little, I had bought a few issues of Ottobre magazine, and since I really like their drafting, I hoped I would find something suitable. Lo and behold, the winter 2004 edition had a dedicated snow pants pattern! The gods were smiling on me!
The Sewing
I took what was left of my white and pale pink PUL, some yellow microfiber for the lining, and started cutting. Of course I wasn't paying attention, and cut a size that was way too big! I couldn't simply cut down the length, because of the knee detail, so I attached some FOE to the bottom so she can just bunch it up until she grows into it. With black now in the design, I did all the topstitching in black (polyester thread so as not to cause wicking). I also trimmed the pocket with the black FOE both for design, and to hold it closed.
The Result
All in all, I'm very happy! Though the pattern is old, Ottobre is so well drafted and so well thought out, that I think they hold their appeal.
And I probably would’ve used different colours and styling were I purchasing yardage, but I think it turned great for having all been stash.
Free fabric, free lining, free thread, free pattern. Lovely ski pants. Doesn’t get better than that.
Now who thinks we'll ever go skiing again??
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