Loud golf trousers

Way back in October last year, Mr N discovered a website... I sincerely hope you've got your sunglasses on before you check this out!

Problem was the cost and delivery to NZ... Next thing I know I'm being taken down to Spotlight to buy fabric! What? Mr N voluntarily taking me to a fabric store - there must be something in this... Yep, "I want you to make me some loud golf trousers, pretty please!" How can a girl say no when her husband is practically begging? So, quick thinking, OK, I need a pattern (quick look through the pattern books before hubby gets too bored), I need fabric and possibly some other fabric too while were here... :-)

And so the loud golf trousers were born!

Nice action shot!

Now, I've never made trousers before and I had a time limit... The annual closing day match at the golf club and if possible (ie definitely) by such and such competition two weeks before!

I used this Vogue pattern (V8719). I tried to find a fairly casual relaxed trouser pattern, anything too structured, just wouldn't have worked.

I did actually make a muslin. Yep, you heard right, I made a muslin! The size and shape was quite similar to a pair of everyday trousers Mr N had already. I didn't need to make many changes. The back darts didn't work in the position they were in, so I moved them nearer the centre back. The leg length was long, but time I hemmed them up they actually worked well. I also made the waist the size larger. A diet with a lot of New Zealand Pinot Noir means that perhaps Mr N is not as slim as the Vogue model! :-) The remainder of the pattern is as printed.

I was surprised how quickly I managed to get the muslin made up, it was stitched and tested in one day! Needless to say the real thing was not put together quite so fast, I took my time. At least it gave me the chance to practice a front fly zip. I had replaced the zip in some trousers for Mr N the beginning of last year, but this was the first time from scratch. I can't believe how simple it actually was. The pattern instructions were really clear and easy to follow, every single step is described and illustrated.

Check out that loud print!

There are in seam side pockets in addition to the patch pockets on the back. The back pockets have flaps and I used these buttons to close them shut, however, I found out today, one button has already got lost!

It's not so clear from this photo, but the inside leg seams are stitched using a flat felled seam. It makes the inside leg seam a lot stronger, but boy was it difficult! Have you ever tried a flat felled seam working with restricted fabric space, particularly for such a long seam? The outside seams are just stitched as normal and zig zagged to finish.

I have to say, I'm quite chuffed with myself. Mr N is happy and he's had lots of comments! ;-) They're certainly an eye opener! Pair number 2 are now ready to cut out with an equally loud fabric!

So, did I finish them on time? Yes, they were finished in time for a Cup round which took place at the end of the last November. OK, I can hear you now, why have they taken so long to post? Erm, the need for action shots basically. Finally we got to the club today and I managed to get some photos, but it was like that little round dimpled ball knew it was having it's photo taken, it went everywhere apart from where it was supposed to go each time I got the camera out! 

The action shots today were all taken on my phone and are all a tad blurry I'm afraid, simple reason, the battery was dead in my point and shoot camera and there is no room in a golf bag for a SLR, so it was the phone or nothing. Yeah, I know, a girl guide is always prepared. ;-)

The details...

Fabric: Stretch cotton sateen from Spotlight, October 2013 (can't remember the cost)

Notions:   Thread, a standard dress zip, two buttons, interfacing for the waistband and a large hook and eye to fasten the waist

Pattern:  Vogue 8719
First worn:  For the Murray Halberg Day at Karori Golf Club at the end of November 2013
Another one?  Well I'm under strict instructions to make another one. The fabric for the second pair was bought at the same time, so I can't leave it too long... I even have instructions for the next pair. The in seam pockets on the side are too small and the back pockets are also too small (his wallet keeps falling out!) I have had a request to make welt packets for the back if possible, so I shall need to look this one up... Maybe I can quickly check out the back welt pockets on the Sewaholic Thurlow?

And so to finish, a couple more action shots...

Mm, Nr N has a left leg that refuses to behave and stay on the ground when he tees off... A particularly different kind of swing which still manages to make the ball go a long way!

 This was something we seemed to do quite a bit of at the beginning of the round today... Waiting for those in front.