Sew Chic Kids : Wide Leg Pants

If you were to ask me which material I find most challenging to work with it would be... linen.  I've sewn with it quite a lot, but not often enough to remember the way it shifts and changes shape and gets kind of wonky after it's cut. (Linen/cotton blends are much easier in that regard.)

But I really like linen.  It's beautiful and durable.  These linen napkins look almost as good as the day I made them, and that's after 5 months of frequent use - and, of course, frequent washings, too.

When I saw the linen pants pattern -Project O- in Sew Chic Kids, I knew I wanted to make a pair for Tia.   But I also knew I didn't want to choose a cream linen like the pants in the book.  My girls love to play outside.  In the dirt.  Cream would stay clean for about 2 seconds.  It just wasn't practical.   And yet I was having a hard time imagining an alternative.

 
So I was pretty thrilled when I was strolling through Joanns and came upon an espresso colored linen.  I loved the variation in the weave - great for hiding stains, too!  It was so pretty yet functional.

When I was tracing this pattern, I was a little worried that the pants might look like pajama pants.   Tia has t i n y legs and I wondered if the pants might end up looking silly on her.  I cut the size 2 in width and size 4 in length and I couldn't be happier with the fit.  (She measured between a size 2 and 4 in the book so the measurements are quite accurate.)  I love this look on her.

 

I thought this pattern would sew up in an hour or so, but I had a lot of trouble with the linen shifting, so they took several hours to make.  With knits, I've read about tracing patterns onto freezer paper and ironing it on to avoid shifting.  I wonder if that might work with linen, too?  I wonder if you could even iron the pocket edges under with the freezer paper in place to stabilize them and then remove the paper afterward?  I'm going to try that next time. 

Tarikua's thumbs up dance.  I'm glad she approves! 

 

The back pant fabric shifted enough that when I sewed the legs together, the pockets were uneven, in spite of having sewn them according to the pattern placement guides.  I had to take one of the pockets off and reposition it so it matched the other pocket.

 Outside of my issues with shifty linen, this pattern was very simple to sew.  The pants fit beautifully.  I really love Sew Chic Kids.  I hope to try out at least two other patterns from the book soon. 

Oh, this girl! When I was taking these photos of her, I had this realization that she really has blossomed into the sweet, happy, carefree child that she was created to be.  I really can't put into words how grateful I am for that.

It's easy to romanticize international adoption and forget how much these kids have been through in their short little lives.  They learn to become survivors.  On the path to secure attachment, there are so many layers - likely protective ones- that are covering their true selves.  It's like peeling back an onion, except you never quite know when you're 'there'.  As her bond with us has grown so strong, so secure, her inner self radiates a pure joy and a lightheartedness that wasn't there before.   I'm so grateful.  I'm also grateful for the guidance and resources provided by the University of Minnesota adoption clinic.  They not only provide a realistic view of attachment in international adoption, but also excellent resources (including phone consultations, which I have done and would highly recommend) on working toward secure attachment in a way that's gentle, loving and respectful.