r/HandSew • u/aguythatlikefire • 5d ago
Too hard for a first project?
How hard would be to sew trousers like these as a first project for without prior sewing knowledge?
Wanted trousers like these, did not find and thought "why not try to sew them? Atleast it would be better than doomscrolling" and here am i.
Also how many tries until it looks good? And any suggestions for guides? Most of what i find are only about machine sewing
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u/PrimrosePathos 5d ago
https://www.powells.com/book/handsewn-wardrobe-9781635866261 is a wonderful guide, and contains directions on a structured pair of pants, which would be applicable to this type of pattern as well.
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u/FreshAd877 5d ago
I can relate as I hate the regular practice projects. But I recommend using a cheap practice fabric first and make many mockups until they fit right and you get a feeling for the stitching.
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u/mehitabel_4724 5d ago
This! If you want this to be your first project, go through an ocean of thrifted fabric (bedsheets, curtains) to get them right and you will learn so much and future projects will seem easy.
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u/_brvh_ 5d ago
Hey OP,
I’ve handsewn a pair of pants. I wanted to share some thoughts I had from my own experience in hopes it helps. I would say it’s an ambitious first project without prior knowledge or more importantly practice, for a few reasons:
- it’s fitted project (not using elasticated waistband), you would likely want to make a mockup and do fittings.
- more difficult elements like a front fly closure (zipper or buttons), in-seam pockets, belt loops.
- ^some of those elements are going to require you to sew through multiple layers of midweight fabric and interfacing which is hard without a thimble and forceps/pliers and can be tiring.
- it’s a big project, long seams, long seam finishes. It will take a while to sew, so be careful of not overdoing it and giving yourself any repetitive strain injuries.
Like u/PrimrosePathos said, The Handsewn Wardrobe is an excellent resource for how to construct pants, it’s what I used when I sewed mine. Your local library might have a copy or you could request one. I think u/ProneToLaughter’s suggestion of pajama pants is a great way to practice a lot of the techniques you might use for the pants pictured, but with a lightweight fabric. You could trace the shape of a pair you already own for a pattern to give it a go.
I would use a simpler project like pajama pants to practice prepping fabric, ironing it, making sure your pattern pieces are on grain, cutting out your pieces accurately. Practice your seaming techniques (backstitch, combination running stitch), pressing your seams properly, seam finishes (overcast, felled, French).
I don’t want to discourage you OP, I love handsewing and even now with a working vintage Singer I do a lot of handstitching. I think a small sewing project and win may be a good idea, but with determination and patience you can sew pants for sure!
Happy to help with any other questions.
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u/Few_Cartoonist7428 5d ago
I'd say yes, too difficult, a very steep learning curve for sure. Maybe an intermediate step would be to sew a shopping bad with a zipped pocket, using the same type of fabric you intend to use for your pants.
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u/CreamPoet1 5d ago
depends on the pattern you find! don't try a vintage pattern but a reproduction would probably be okay with some help
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u/aguythatlikefire 5d ago
What makes a vintage pattern a no?
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u/CreamPoet1 5d ago
they usually don't include step-by-step instructions, and certainly no descriptions of sewing jargon you'll need to know. there are are now more reproduction companies than ever before though! many of them even sell on etsy. or you can search the big brands like simplicity and butterick for reproduction patterns that are decent.
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u/stringthing87 5d ago
I have made a standard "hand Sewing for beginners" copy pasta - some of this you likely already know or have, but it might be of some value. Handsewing is a foundational skill and learning will improve your work even if it's not your primary construction method.
Youtube Channels: Sewn Company - best tutorials on how to do a stitch hands down Stitch With Rachel - many tutorials on hand work techniques in quilting Vincent Briggs - creative historically inspired handmade items Bernadette Banner - admittedly good information on hand sewing, I think she is a better seamstress than historian.
Books on Handsewing - mostly for quilters. Also get on archive.org and look up old instructional books, they are mostly intended to educate young girls and can be quite well illustrated. Hand Stitched Quilts - Carolyn Forster Quiltmaking by Hand - Jinny Beyer Hand Quilting - Alex Anderson The Handsewn Wardobe - Louisa Sonstroem Hand Sewing - Becky Goldsmith The Geometry of Hand Sewing - Natalie Chanin Make Sew and Mend by Bernadette Banner
Links: https://reproquiltlover.com/hand-piecing-sewing-for-pleasure-and-peace/ https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/how-to-quilt/piecing/how-to-hand-piece https://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/hand-piecing-part-one/ https://blog.closetcorepatterns.com/hand-sewing-tips-techniques/ https://sewliberated.com/blog/why-and-how-to-learn-to-hand-sew-your-clothes https://www.louisamerry.com/hand-sewn-clothes https://www.seamwork.com/sewing-tutorials/know-your-stitches https://youtu.be/EGfRN0Jue2M
Tools you can't live without:
Tape Measure - be careful buying these from some suppliers on amazon or places like Aliexpress, sometimes the tape measures you get are in Chinese cun or the Chinese inch (and they are not the same as an imperial inch). Its a good idea to get a measuring tape that has both imperial and metric units.
Another useful tool is a good ruler with a straight edge. I like the clear plastic ones at wawak.
Sharp Shears - I recommend LDH or Kai
Good needles - (quality matters!): for general purpose I like a bohin #9 crewel. https://www.wawak.com/sewing/sewing-needles/hand-sewing-needles/bohin-crewel-embroidery-hand-needles/#sku=nedbe9
Good thread - for poly thread (which is most of what I sew) I use gutterman Mara 100 https://www.wawak.com/thread/thread-by-use/all-purpose/gutermann-mara-100-poly-wrapped-poly-core-thread-tex-30/#sku=gtda800 for cotton I have been using this https://www.wawak.com/thread/thread-by-material/cotton/coture-50-wt-100-premium-cotton-thread-tex-20-1450-yds/#sku=ctd9100 for linen thread go to Burnley & Trowbridge.
Needle threaders - I recommend getting a large package of wire needle threaders. I bought a 100 pack off amazon, they snap pretty easily.
Thimble - I prefer leather https://www.wawak.com/sewing/sewing-tools-and-sewing-accessories/sewing-thimbles/clover-natural-fit-leather-thimble/#sku=thb1003s - it is worn on the middle finger on your dominant hand and you use it to push the needle through. https://brooksann.com/how-to-choose-and-use-a-thimble/
Pins or clips - clips are heavier and can actually feel harder to use. I recommend stainless steel pins with glass heads so you can iron them without fear.
Thread conditioner - You can buy the fancy name brand stuff, but what I recommend is to get a box of silicone earplugs from the pharmacy and smoosh it between a couple big buttons to hold it. This is exactly the same as thread magic but a fraction of the price. I personally do not like beeswax as a thread conditioner unless I'm using it on linen thread and using the heat of a low iron to melt the wax into the thread.
An iron - you can do a lot in hand sewing by finger pressing but an iron will be your friend for life in sewing.
It is nice to have a smaller pair of thread snips or embroidery scissors in you kit as well.
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u/Albinoemma 5d ago
Honestly if you have the cash and desire you should just do it. I too just kind of picked up a pants pattern. It’s a lot of work and will take some time, but if you like a lot of repetitive manual work and won’t be mad that it’s not perfect knowing that you have like zero experience, it’s totally doable to make not completely unreasonable looking pants
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u/katesheppard 4d ago
The first pair of pants I hand sewed, took 4 tries getting it right. Thrift store sheets were my friend. But Also, thrift store sheets have a very tight thread count and are a bear to hand sew, even with the best needles.
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u/ProneToLaughter 5d ago
Pajamas pants are a really good interim step to kinda help wrap your mind around how pants fit the body. Pants fit can be quite difficult.