Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Boogum Now Baby - 70s inspired bell bottom pants

The 1970s!  I have fallen in love with the carefree style that resonated all throughout that era.  Hair was natural, make-up was sparse/inferior to the tone of one's born eyelash color.  Everything was loose and comfortable, and the colors were vibrant hues of mismatched prints and patterns (and not to mention that the art was fantastic!).  That decade has been popping into my head as inspiration all week, and I'm absolutely smitten. 


I made these pants by drafting out a pattern using an old pair of pajama bottoms.  I haven't learned how to draft pants yet, but I've been learning by cutting up old pants, and taking notes on their construction.  I can't wait till I can finally take a pattern drafting class at SCAD and learn the correct way!  For now though, this has been working.

I used the pajamas as a basic start pattern, and then I changed the measurements to create the shape that I wanted - well fitted bell bottoms.  The fabric is a printed jersey knit that I found in the $1.50 section of Wal-Mart.  Because I wanted the waist area to be well fitted I used an invisible zipper, instead of inserting elastic around the waist band.  That way I could get a more well fitted look at the top so it exaggerated the flared knee even more.  These are the most comfortable pants that I have ever worn, and I'm planning on making more in different sizes to add to my Etsy shop later this summer.





All photos taken myself

Also I made a new e-mail for anything blog related.  If you have any inquiries or would like to send a note you can reach me at: estherfromthesticks@gmail.com
I usually reply within a day or two. 

I hope you're enjoying summer!  

19 comments:

  1. Love the pants! They look so comfy.

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  2. They look really nice and cool for summer! Your are a really talented sewer!

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  3. My Dear, Your future is indeed very bright! Hoping you can squeeze in blog posts while at college.

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  4. I like the way you express yourself. Really cool <3

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  5. Love your bellbottoms! Better than the 70s! Trust me on that. I was there. Love your spunky photos, too!

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  6. Gosh your talent is amazing. I am so impressed by the way you are able to just figure out pattern making on your own. I'm certain you will out shine your future classmates. ;) You truly are a gem. Can't wait to see what you dream up next.

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  7. Hi Esther, I've nominated your blog for The Liebster blog Award: http://theladynthetramp.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-liebster-blog-award-1.html

    Hope to hear from you soon :)

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  8. I love these trousers! they are so beautiful. Your Walmart sounds like the ultimate fabric source! I couldn't imagine a department store in Australia selling fabric

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  9. Love the pants, love the fabric and of course love the photography. Well done.

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  10. My friend Bekuh sent me your site and I absolutely love it! I'm a sewer as well and I love the fact that you rubbed off a garment to make this pattern. Bravo!

    I also read that you are or will be attending SCAD? I went there for fashion design! I know work for Urban Outfitters but I have nothing but good things to say about the school.

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    1. Hi Madalynne,

      Thank you for your kind words and for saying hello! It's nice to meet another seamstress!

      And it's also nice to hear from someone who went to SCAD for fashion! I am going there in the fall for my bachelors in fashion design as well. It's reassuring to hear good things from someone who went there.

      Thanks for taking the time to write!
      Esther

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  11. Your blog is like an actual work of art - with talent like yours, you're really going to go far :) x

    http://www.witty-woman.com/

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  12. groovy look, girl. haha, those pants are pretty awesome.

    GYPSI

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  13. Hey Esther,

    I just wanted you to know that you've inspired me to design some of my own clothes! I'm not very happy with the things sold in stores and anything that is my style is way over my budget.

    I just sewed my first skirt from scratch yesterday and I made up my own pattern too.

    Thanks for being creative.

    :-)

    missyellowshoes.blogspot.com

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    1. Aw thank you so much for commenting about your sewing experience! That totally made my day to know that someone started sewing because of this blog. I hope that you enjoy it and have as much fun as I have had with sewing! It's a wonderful, wonderful skill (and like you said, much fashionable and cheaper than the clothes sold in the stores).

      Thanks for taking the time to write me and have fun!

      Esther

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  14. Hi, Esther,

    I discovered your blog last week and proceeded to read every post. Your photography, sewing, and drawing are such an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing your work. I hope you'll continue to post once you've gone off to college. Best of luck; I love Savannah!

    Sincerely,
    cup + penny
    cupandpenny.com

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  15. This outfit and shoot looks like it could be a Free People one. I love it!

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  16. I would love some tips and tricks on how you made these! It's exactly the style and pattern I've been looking for! :) great job!!!

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