Saturday, April 11, 2015

Calling all pears: Simplicity 1283 view C Mimi G Pants

Simplicity 1283 View C MimiG Pants
If you are pear or hourglass shaped and hate pants fitting, I think I found the Holy Grail of knit pants patterns.

"Penitent, penitent, only the penitent sewist shall pass...the penitent sewist....kneels before Mimi G!"
(Bonus points if you know the film.)

I didn't cry, I didn't make 20 muslins, I didn't spent a million hours on these.  I. just. sewed.  Thank you Mimi G!!
Simplicity 1283 View C MimiG Pants
I *love* these pants.


(I know it is hard / impossible to see the details but I will get better pictures for another post, I swear!  I'm just so excited to share this pattern with you!!  Update:  See the pictures in bright sunlight, and a second pair in gray here.)

Simplicity 1283 View C MimiG Pants
You might be thinking to yourself, but Kyle, they are black pants, what is the big deal?
Simplicity 1283 View C MimiG Pants
Big deal #1:  I cut them out and sewed them up today.

Simplicity 1283 View C MimiG Pants
Big deal #2:  I thought I was sacrificing some pretty nice black double knit ponte to make my muslin, but when I basted them together I realized the deal was real.  After a little sampling, I serged 'em up.
20150411_201430
Big deal #3:  The best front crotch curve on me ever!    No wrinkles!!

Big deal #4: I *love* the flared leg and how they are not low rise.  I feel elegant.

Big deal #5:  There are some back leg wrinkles but I'm not going to sweat it.  It does not look insane back there.

Overall they fit me amazingly well for sewing them up straight from the envelope (see note about the knee below).     Mimi G is a pear and so am I.  I have a 10" difference between my waist and hips.  I bought the pattern at the ASE and asked Deborah at the Simplicity booth if the pattern really is for pears (I was afraid they might have used the standard sloper) and she said the pants really are for pears.
Simplicity 1283 View C MimiG Pants
My hips are 40" so I went with the size 16 which has a finished hip measurement of 39.5".

(Note there is negative ease with the pattern, way to go Simplicity for keeping the Mimi G figure hugging style!)

I made sure my fabric had the recommended 25% crosswise stretch.

Also before I cut them out I remembered from Jennifer Stern's PR jeans class to find where my knee would fall on the pattern and mark it on the pattern.  Since the pants flare out at the knee, it was easy to find where the knee was on the pattern---a difference of 5" between my knee cap and the pattern's!  So I took that 5" out at the knee on the flat pattern and blended before cutting them out.

I am able to get the pants on without the recommended back zipper.
Simplicity 1283 View C MimiG Pants
Instead of her waistband I sewed on a band exterior elastic (Pamela's Fantastic Elastic) like I do for my skirts, using the method I detailed here.  Since I won't wear them tucked in, it reduces bulk this way.

I think I probably should have cut the elastic a little shorter as I think they are sinking down a little bit as I walk around my house but I will figure that out for sure during their first day of wear.  I might just steam the elastic in the morning to shrink it down and see if that takes care of it.

I blind hemmed a 1" hem.  And remember I had taken out 5" at my knee, so these pants are loooong.

20150411_201224
Blind hem is mostly blind.
20150411_201319
View from the inside

Big deal #6:  I want to make them in many colors!  And maybe add back pockets.

Big deal #7:  This is one outfit for PR Weekend in LA.  I think this will be my ensemble for the Friday shopping day:
Simplicity 1283 View C MimiG Pants
PR Linda Top
Butterick 6072 backpack

Simplicity 1283 View C MimiG Pants
My right hip is a different shape than my left hip--what is up with that??

I did not watch the videos (though I think that is a GREAT idea) but I did read the instructions, which seem to have been possibly written by Mimi G herself.  They were NOT the standard Simplicity instructions; they were more detailed and had better tips and different line drawings.  For example, the drawings themselves were well annotated--when it was time to sew a seam, that particular seam was actually labeled on the drawing.

I can't wait to make the shirt pattern too (I'm going to lengthen it so it's not cropped, and fingers crossed there will be no swayback pooling) and as I said, many many pairs of these pants in many ponte colors!!


Be well!!!

33 comments:

  1. Haha! I DO know that reference and appreciate that you used it!! Great pants!

    ReplyDelete
  2. So glad you're happy with your pants! They look good and you look so happy! Score!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am soooo happy! This is the pattern I've been waiting for!

      Delete
  3. So glad that these pants work for you! You are going to have some great outfits for PR weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks!!! I thought I'd just try them out to see if they were a possibility for PR weekend...and they exceeded expectations!

      Delete
  4. I flunked the movie quiz. Boohoo.
    You look like the cat who swallowed the cream in these pics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.
      I felt sooo happy last night!

      Delete
  5. Kyle I am so happy for you with your pants success!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great looking pants! It's nice to know it was not the standard block used. I don't know the movie reference... maybe you'll have to let us know! Can't wait to see the many colours. Kyle and the pants of many colours! (my own reference!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
      I just made them in gray; now I want to make them in brown, navy and teal.

      Delete
  7. These are FANTASTIC!!! I had no idea that Mimi G patterns are for pear shapes. I am running out to buy this pattern ASAP.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Spread the word! At least the pants are for pears; I can't vouch for the rest.

      Delete
  8. This is very good to know. BTW, have you marked your PR profile as a pear?
    I've got a friend with this issue, and she has a hard time with trousers for work as well. Thanks for sharing, fails and successes.
    Mary in Thailand

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have marked my PR profile as pear.
      Pears have to stick together!!

      Delete
  9. Raiders of the Lost Ark. The squel that had Sean Connery in it.

    I am excited to hear about these pants, because I have a curvy lower
    half. Hancock Fabrics have Simplicity patterns on sale right now, so I will be shopping there soon.
    What has been your experience with ponte so far? I made a top and it is pilling under the arms and on the front bodice pieces. I got the fabric from Fabric Mart, so I know it is not cheap.It is up setting when you make something, and it is only wearable for one season. I am thinking that the inner thigh would be a place of concern for pilling.
    Thank you for sharing your insights on this pattern, it is so helpful!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

      I haven't met a ponte that hasn't pilled. I have heard about using a razor to remove the pills but I haven't tried it myself, yet.

      Delete
    2. A razor totally works! You can use any cheap disposable, just lay the garment on a flat surface and go over lightly with the razor. Use short strokes and go with the grain for best results. I've used this technique with handknit chunky knits and smoother ponte knits and it works great

      Delete
  10. Sorry, it should read sequel.

    ReplyDelete
  11. oh! Off to hunt the Simplicity site, though KS3115 fits me super well. We have the same measurements on the bottom Kyle...I really should try these pants.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh! I will have to try KS 3115!! I think I remember you posting about them but I never did anything about it! I appreciate the help, fellow pear!

      Delete
    2. Ok I just looked at the KS pattern and it says it needs 75% stretch--the Mimi G's need 25% stretch which means most pontes qualify for Mimi G but not the KS. Are you using fabrics with 75% stretch?

      Delete
  12. As soon as I saw the word "penitent," I knew it was The Last Crusade! It's my favorite of the three movies (I haven't seen the fourth one).

    "I like Indiana."
    "We named the dog Indiana."
    "The dog? You are named after the dog? Bwhahaha."

    Awesome.

    Okay, so back to the pants. I've been real hesitant about the MimiG patterns because of the final measurements. My thigh weighs more than she does and I couldn't wrap my mind around all the tightness. (There's a pun in there somewhere.) Your pants look great and fit very well. I'll have to give this pattern a second look.

    Waaah. I really want to go to PR LA.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have seen the 4th one and I think the 3rd one is the best. My best friend in high school and I memorized some of the dialogue. This line in particular has stuck with me all these years!

      Delete
  13. Don't you just love it when the pattern fits and sewing is so fast AND you get a great pair of pants in the end????!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. You really have nailed this pattern Kyle. I hope your Friday shopping adventure is heaps of fun.

    ReplyDelete
  15. OOh, cool. It seems we may be the same size in pants, but how tall are you? I may have to get these because with my fluctuating waistline fluff I've been dreaming of a all-ponte elastic waist pants collection for comfort.

    ReplyDelete
  16. By the way, the link for your elastic method is missing.

    Thanks for bringing attention to this pattern, I wouldn't have looked at it twice because I normally don't wear my clothes tight but having the same measurements as you, I like how they fit.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for reading! I love hearing from you! Because I've been getting lots of spam comments, I'm changing the settings to moderated comments.