As a tutor of adult education, we spend lots of time prepping for future classes. see's me teaching a trouser making class, then in May I will be teaching a Bermuda shorts making class. With this in mind I thought this week would be a great time art working on the shorts first as there essentially a version of trousers too. So with all my toiles I always begin in a realms of calico unbleached cotton, this way I can see exactly what changes are needed and make adjustments as required.
My work starts digitally drafting the garment using one of two programs, Affinity Designer vector software. I draft my pattern, add seams, notches grain lines and basic information to enable the first test. I'm also working out the construction elements and the step by steps.
Then I'll add it my print layout as below and export it to a PDF format for test printing at 100%.
Time to cut out pattern pieces and check if I've drafted everything right. Being my first toile my focus is about basic fit and really does my first draft work!
Waistband is the main focus for this draft - a shaped waistband at the front and elasticated the back for a nicer fit. I started by sewing the front and back crotch seams.
Next, working on the waistband for the front and back, then the side seams .
To finish the waistband as the front you can either whip stitch or stitch in the ditch.
Here's the complete waistband with elastic pinned in the check visually what it will look like,.,
Finishing the seams.
Here's the finished results!! Chuffed to bits...
