For the last ten years I have been hemming pants for the kids in the neighborhood. (I do this for grown ups as well.) Back to school time is a big season for hemming. Then again in the spring when the first batch is outgrown. I have finished hemming 4 pair and have 4 pair left. For some reason these pants are given priority over other projects, but I have finished the following:

97 Yellow Brick Road blocks (there were supposed to be 100, but the quilt calls for 90, so I’m ok. Guess I got too zen with the slicing and dicing…),

Aqua slinky knit shell for me,

Aqua slinky knit camisole for S.

After the pants are hemmed I want to make some pants for me and K. My son has some motor delays and at 9 years old he still prefers elastic waist pants. But they can’t look like elastic waist pants. The best ones I have found that meet his requirements (elastic waist, not baggy and available in camo fabric) are the Climber pants from Lands End. I managed to get some nice ones on sale last year. They did last all year with the double knees and he is still wearing them this summer (with considerable patching). However, this year I can’t afford the $25 price tag. So, can I make some that will make my picky kid happy? I found Kwik Sew 2544. I think it has all of the elements he would like. Mock fly, not baggy, double knees, no pockets in the back. The reviewers on Pattern Review didn’t like the cargo pockets, but I would like to try them with Velcro instead of buttons. The climber pants have nice 1″ wide elastic that goes through button holes in the back and ends at button holes in the front with an adjustable buckle. It is a nice touch as it hides the lack of a snap or button at the top. I just need to see if I can find the elastic and buckle. The first pair will be out of denim that I picked up years ago at a yard sale.

The second set of pants that I want to make are call Terrific Trousers from Purrfection. These are drafted for Apple or Pear figure types. Dana had an open house a couple of weeks ago and I was able to try on a couple of her fitting muslins. Wow, what a big help! I now have an idea of where to start on my muslin (which I will make out of muslin). After that I have nice brushed stretch khaki twill coming from Fabric.com. Then on to the dark brown and black Tiki from Nancy’s Notions. It would be great to have a pattern to make pants that are a notch up from jeans.