Let me introduce you to my newest garment: my black-on-black pants. These pants are the culmination of my efforts in Sandra Betzina’s Pant Fitting Techniques class class on Craftsy. The pattern is Vogue V2948, a princess-seamed basic pant pattern that either zips at the side or back. I chose to use a black wool crepe from Mood that is described as “an absolute staple for three-season wear”, which makes it a very worthy fabric for all of the time I put into the class!
As you know, I’ve spent a decent amount of time these last couple of months going through Sandra’s class. I made myself a goal of a video a week in order to keep things manageable and not get too overwhelmed by everything coming at me at once. And, if you’ve kept up with my reviews, you know that the class starts by you guessing what kind of fitting issues you have, moves through how to address all of those fitting issues, and culminates in a muslin and final tweaking in the pattern. I would have liked to have added another muslin step in there, right after the guessing of fitting issues and before the addressing of issues. That way you get a real benefit from not only evaluating what you know your issues likely are but also seeing them in action on the pattern early on. When I finally tried on my muslin towards the end of the class, I found even after my tweaks to the pattern, the front still needed a little extra length in the crotch. But, look at them now!
I think Sandra would be proud of how well they hang from the waistband.
Now, what about the back? You might remember that’s where I had the most problems in the muslin, even after my weeks and weeks of working with the pattern for the class. My original muslin had drag lines all over the bum, and everything sort of twisted down my leg from there. After rewatching a couple of Sanrda’s lessons and polling all of you, I figured out I needed a small tweak to the crotch length, a shifting of fabric through a wedge method, and a sway-back adjustment. The result:
Okay, you might be wondering if the black is hiding some flaws, so I’ll brave a close up.
Though to a perfectionist everything can always be refined, I think the improvements are quite dramatic!
Okay, let me take a minute to say just how hard it is to feature something that is black in photos. Like these pants, for example. If I was slightly in the shade, the pants lost all dimension.
Yet, when I moved to the sun, you could see every little crinkle in them.
So, you don’t get many photos. But, the pants that those crinkles belong to are well loved. And, that’s all that matters, right?
It feels so good to finish yet another Craftsy class. How good does it feel? As good as the lazy man’s .gif below.
Now to apply what I’ve learned to other pants patterns and slowly take over the world of pants… Muahahahaha!
This post can also be found on Mood Sewing Network. I used my MSN allowance towards the purchase of the fabric, and I received the class for free from Craftsy in exchange for an honest review.
Sew Well 
These look fantastic! All that hard work certainly paid off! Well done 🙂
I am absolutely ecstatic that you tried my little trick an it helped. A good friend showed it to me and now you have passed it on to others. Doesn’t it feel great to be in a pair of pants that fit!! Next step – make a tag-board sloper of your new fit, waist to mid thigh, and impose the sloper on your next pants pattern. I just tried it and the results were amazing. Smiles to you!
First, I love the pants. I like the plan you put into place about doing one video a week. I’ve signed up for a few Craftsy courses and I am very excited about taking them but then things get in the way. I always fall back on the “i’m enrolled forever” idea. Also, I’ve looked at Sandra’s pants classes and I can’t tell which one you’re supposed to take first. It would appear to me that pants fitting is first and then pants construction. But pant construction came out first. Which did you take first? and do you plan to take her second course?
I think Pant Fitting Techniques is the first class since at the end they invite you to take Pant Construction Techniques. I’m not sure if I’ll take the second course. After following her detailed instructions in the pattern and after watching Kenneth King’s Jeanius class, I have a lot of information already at hand. But, I do love Craftsy classes, so I’m not opposed to the idea!
Hooray! I have been anxious to see the final product and they look perfect to me! Congratulations on your perseverance and perfecting the art of making slacks. Look forward to more colors 🙂
GREAT fitting pants!!! You must be so proud!!
Beautiful trousers! Congrats on finishing the class and coming up with a good fit. Black is really really hard to photograph, I’m with you.
Looks great! I’ve got this class too but I really need to start watching the videos
they look great! what an improvement on your muslin. all that work really paid off! i must get back to my junipers.
Your hard work really paid off, these look like they fit so well!
Good work, I’m scared of pants. Think I might need a tute before attempting any 🙂
Fantastic fit, well done!
It’s been great reading your reports along the way – you’ve really nailed it with these pants! They look great.
You should be very proud of yourself. These pants look wonderful on you!
These trousers are totally fantastic! congrats on getting the fit so perfect 🙂
You have achieved a great fit, Amy!
Fantastic!! The fit is perfection! Such a classic staple for your wardrobe!!
Congratulations on a great fitting pair of pants! Thanks to your blogging about it, I’m also taking Sandra’s class on Craftsy. I’ve watched several episodes, just to get a feel for things while I wait for my pattern to arrive. I’m so hopeful I’ll get a good fitting pattern out of this process!
Oh the wonders for well fitted pants. Lovely and watch out Pant World…. Amy is here! 🙂
Wow they look incredible! Congrats! xx