French Terry Sweatpants: Vogue 8909

Ever since I made a pair of sweatpants using Vogue 8909, I wanted to sew another pair.  

The only thing that stalled this project was searching the stash for appropriate fabric.  There is some fabric that will work but the colours (light purple and yellow) are not ones I prefer for pants.  And then I found a navy coloured fabric scrap left over from this cardigan and these pants.  The sweet thing is that there was enough left-over fabric to sew myself another pair of sweatpants.  And it felt good to use up this last piece of French terry fabric.   

The fabric was previously pre-washed and ready to cut.  This French Terry, from Marshall Fabrics, was a joy to sew.  This fabric has more body than the bamboo terry used for the first version.  Both were wonderful fabrics for this project but they do have a distinctive look and drape.   Navy coloured thread was scarce around the workspace, but I made do with what leftover spools I could scrounge up.  Actually, with all the time spent threading the machines and filling bobbins I am surprised there was enough navy thread to complete the project.  Add that to the blessing list.  It was a struggle stretching the cuffs far enough to fit into the pant legs.  Instead, the pant legs were gathered to fit the cuffs.  Marshall Fabrics sells matching ribbing to go with their selection of sports knits.  I just didn't pick any up since the initial thoughts for this fabric was to use it for a Marcy Tilton dress and jacket, OOP Vogue 9358.  Maybe I will use the yellow French terry for OOP Vogue 9358?   

Vogue 8909 is a keeper.  The waistline on the first version was raised but that wasn't necessary.  I cut the pattern with this change and then removed all of the addition except for a quarter inch during the sewing process.  Love the fit, on me it does not sit below the waist line as described on the pattern envelope.  Add this to the blessing list as well.  The other change I made on the previous version was shortening one leg length.  Since I now have lifts for my footwear I won't need to make this length adjustment moving forward.  That leaves the question, what to do with all those hem adjustments on all those previous made pants?  But that is a for another time.  Moving on.  There's so much to appreciate with this design from the extended front seams, pockets and the fit.  It's a well-drafted pattern.  

Hmmm, I don't know what else to say about this project other than I know I will get a lot of use out of this pair of sweatpants.  

Project details

Seams:  Knit (lightening bolt) stitch

Seam finish:  Serged

Fabric:  1.6 metres

Elastic:  2.85 metres

Pattern:  Vogue 8909

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Cutting table, fabric scissors, pins, pin cushion, tailor's chalk, measuring tape, Janome sewing machine, walking foot, thread clippers, measuring gauge, Janome serger, safety pins, iron and ironing board.  

Happy Sewing!