Today we are putting your Flint pants together! By the time you have finished these steps your pants will actually start to look like pants!
In fact, if you are at all worried about the fit of your pants, before you commit to sewing the below you can check the fit. Lengthen the stitch on your machine as long as you can and do a quick baste stitch of all the seams. Try it on for fit and adjust as necessary.
Contact me if are having fit issues that you’re not sure how to tackle. We can work through it. Otherwise I’ll be putting out a post later today on some standard fit issues and how to fix them!
(Ps. Details for where to get the Flint pattern if you still need it and the giveaway I’m hosting are at the bottom of the page!)
Ok let’s put these pants together!
Finish the edges
The instructions say to finish your raw edges once you have sewn your seams. This works perfectly well, however I prefer to serge around my edges when the pattern pieces are separate and easy to handle.
You will notice in some of the pics that my pants fabric (Paint by Mannine) is underlined. I decided to do this as my main fabric was slightly sheer in the sun. So as I serged the edges, I serged the main pants pieces together with a plain fabric that has a similar drape. This way I could work with them as one piece of fabric.
If you don’t have a serger/overlocker you can use a simple zig zag stitch or even binding to finish your edges.
An alternative finish to consider is French seams. French seams work well on straight edges or large curves like a crotch seam but are too bulky for a tight curve like an armhole. If you decide to use French seams you need to know this before you start sewing your seams due to the construction method.
French seams
A French seam takes a bit more effort but I love the professional and clean look it results in.
To do this, pin and sew the seam at 5mm (1/4”) with wrong sides together. You can do this with a serger or a straight stitch.
If you used a straight stitch, trim your seam allowance down but be careful not to get too close to the seam if you are working with a loose weave like linen.
Flip your fabric so it is right sides together and press. Pin along the seam and sew again at 10mm (3/8”) from the folded edge, capturing the seam allowance within. Press again.
Front pieces
If you’re not using the French seam method above: place the two front pieces right sides together. Pin and sew 1.5cm (5/8”) along the center front seam. If you haven’t already, finish the raw edges.
The instructions tell you to clip into the seam allowance to provide some extra ease. I don’t do this as this crotch seam gets a fair bit of stress with wear. To lessen the risk of a popped seam I don’t clip this curve.
Press those seams!
Press the seam open or to one side.
Don’t skip this step! Pressing your seams is often the difference between a project looking really “finished” or not. You’ll work out what works best for you, but ideally you should press the seam you’ve just sewn, flat on the wrong side as is, then open up the two layers of fabric and without stretching them, press the seam allownces open or to the side. Finally flip your fabric over and press from the right side.
Pressing each seam will not only help you control the bulk of the seam allowance but it also takes the thread from sitting on top of the fabric to melding into it.
Back pieces
Repeat the same steps for sewing the two back pieces together!
The legs!
Place the front and back pieces right sides together so that the side seams and inseams line up. Pin and sew 1.5cm (5/8”) along the inseam and then the side seams. Finish the raw edges if you haven’t already.
Press the seams open or to one side.
Done! And you are almost there, next we’ll be attaching the waistband!
If you still need the Flint sewing pattern, you can get it here! But first head over to my Sew Along Announcement post to get your discount code for 20% off!! (valid until 19 May 2019)
Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram for your chance to win a Megan Nielsen PDF pattern of your choice!
Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram for your chance to win a Megan Nielsen PDF pattern of your choice!
To enter all you have to do is:
1. Follow me @indybindyco
2. Follow Megan @megannielsenpatterns
3. Comment on any of my Instagram posts this week letting us know you’re taking part in the sew along.
4. Tag both of us in the caption of a post of your Flint pants (completed or in process!) The more posts you tag us in the more entries you get!
5. Be sure to include the hashtags #sewitwithindybindy and #mnflint so we can keep track of the entries and see your gorgeous makes!!
Happy sewing!!
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See the other posts related to the Flint Pants Sew Along:
- Styling
- Know your size
- Fabric selection
- Pattern hacks
- Print and cut your pattern
- Sewing the release tucks and darts
- Constructing your pockets
