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Feb 21, 2015

Chicken Soup and Dress Pants



I can't remember if I mentioned that my Mom, who has made a remarkable recovery from emergency hip surgery last November, has been staying with us.

Three months ago I wasn't sure how quickly she'd bounce back, but I am happy to report that she's not only back on her feet but also back in the kitchen -- one of her favorite places -- and cooking up a storm.  She makes excellent soups, and this week whipped up a chunky chicken soup we devoured.  I'd share the recipe but she doesn't follow a recipe.  She just wings it with consistently excellent results.  Currently simmering on the stove: lentil.







Meanwhile, in sewing land, I'm almost finished with my khaki cotton trousers.  Having just made two pairs of jeans, I was reminded that dress pants are much more challenging.



The fabric I'm using is smooth, lightweight, and light-colored.  Every imperfection shows plainly, in my opinion at least.  A few close-up pics of how things are developing:

I finished most of my seam allowances with my serger.  Seams are pressed on the narrow edge of my June Tailor board so as not to leave an indentation on the front. 



I skipped the instructions and used commercial waistbanding.  I'm not sure if it made finishing the waistband any easier, but it does give the pants a more professional look.





For me, dress pants are harder to fit than jeans as the last seam completed is the center back (i.e, butt), which is challenging to fit on oneself.  With jeans, the last seams finished are the side seams.

 The welt pockets I complained about the other day no longer seem so bad.  The next time I make these pants I'll do a neater job.  I can't put a buttonhole in these with my buttonholer, so if I want a functioning buttonhole I'll have to have it done at Jonathan Embroidery.  Another option is to add a button loop under the seam above the welt.  Or pocket flaps.





Here's a peek of the pants from the front and side.  They will benefit from a good pressing.





And that's it.  I may not post these in full till March; I still feel like there's a lot of room for improvement and I'd like to make a second pair.

Right now, however, it's time for some more soup.

Have a great day, everybody!

22 comments:

  1. How nice to have cooking help to free you up to sew. My grandmother used to make lentil soup and I hated it. Maybe I should try it as a grow up. Save the photos of the pants - they will look odd on snow covered streets.

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  2. You know, Peter, I look at wall you create, and it's hard for me to believe you haven't been sewing all your life! I think the pants look wonderful--fit and all. And the soup? Looks absolutely delish!

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  3. Perfect weather for homemade soup! The delightful aroma and warmth of soup will provide great motivation on a dreary winter day. Enjoy!

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  4. I'm so glad you're mother is doing well. I'm sure she enjoys cooking for you both! I look forward to your final photos of your dress pants. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  5. YUM HOMEMADE SOUP. : ). My mom and I have been making and devouring butternut squash soup and turkey taco salads. Great pants!

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  6. Peter I am so happy to see how well your mother is recovering. I am sure her attentive, creative son has made much of her well-being possible. While I am fairly well acquainted with the complexities of elder care, making a well-fitting pair of pants eludes me. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  7. So glad to know that your mum is recovering well.

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  8. I'm glad to hear that your mom is doing better! The plants look great!

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  9. Soup, sewing, and Sonia! They all look sensational!

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  10. So glad to hear your mom is doing so well. Mmmm... Chicken soup as only mothers make it.. (no disrespect to Michael, I'm sure he makes a mean soup too)

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  11. I searched on hook and eye closures, and damn but there you are! Solve your own problem! http://malepatternboldness.blogspot.com/2012/06/waistband-wonderland-installing-hook.html

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  12. Nothing better than mommas soup! I keep three cartons in the freezer for when I feel under the weather! My mums soup has healing properties! X

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  13. Great to see your mother is doing well. Which reminds me... I should make lentil soup next week ;)
    About the trousers: This type of fabric always makes things tricky. Unlike wool, it doesn't ease and can't be pressed into submission and the light colour makes every little crease stand out... Oh, and I usually sew all my trousers in the order you use for jeans, because of that fitting issue. But I guess you are going for that classic finish of formal men's trousers here, with the center back seam going through the waistband, allowing for alterations later.

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  14. So glad that your mum is doing well.
    Judy

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  15. Great to hear your mum is doing well! The soup looks great - my mum makes soups without recipes too and we call that kind of soup 'never to be repeated again soup'! :)

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  16. Your mum looks so cute, it nice you can enjoy her cooking, it's so lovely! Your trousers look great, nice fit.

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  17. Congratulations on your pants. They look nice, you should make a matching jacket for the pants from a 60's vintage jacket pattern, and you will have that mad men look completely down. It very vogue these days.

    I make chicken soup all the time, it's terrific any time of the year, maybe not in the hot heat of summer but is great to have it stored in the freezer for times when its cold or you have a cold.

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  18. It's great to hear that your mom is doing so well. Her "recipe" is like mine. We finally started calling it "Whatchagot Soup" as invariably I would print out a recipe, not have half the ingredients and then substitute at will. I'm looking forward to seeing your dress pant progression. :)

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  19. So glad your mom is doing well and working her magic in the kitchen! There's nothing like Mom's soup. The pants look great!

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  20. Hello, PETER LAPPIN
    I really want to drink this chicken soup. nice dress pants
    thanks

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