Vogue 1051. Again.

I haven't had plain black slacks in at least four years. Yep, one of the most basic career-girl wardrobe staples and I haven't had a pair since GW was in office. Hlafway through his second term. I bought this fabric last fall. I finally cut these some time in October. Then I finally sewed them up last week.  I heart procrastination, what can I say?

For anyone keeping score, this makes these slacks my forth version of Vogue 1051. And with the exception of the waistband closure being just a touch too low & causing a pucker (something very easily remedied by simply moving the hook down), I think this is the best version yet!

I love, love this pattern. Every version I've seen on Pattern Review looks great on all body types, so if you're out searching for a great pants pattern: This. Is. The. One.

The Changes
I switched out the pockets again using my tutorial here. I was smart and used the pockets from this dress as the template so that I wouldn't cut them too small again. :) Worked like a charm!

I've found that size 14 is just right on the waistline but a little big in the legs and hips. Still, I forget to grade the pattern down every single time I cut this pattern. Much sewing, trying on, and sewing again happened in the course of these legs. Worth it!

I kept both back pockets unlike my grey version, and I must say that both versions work equally well. I decided to toss out the button closure on this version, and bar tacked the sides of the welted pockets down (see the picture of the pocket lining to get a better idea).

I did this for two reasons: 1) I have found that putting buttons on the butt of anything is a surefire way to lose buttons - I've replaced the buttons on my denim version of these slacks at least three times; and 2) I lined these slacks with the seersucker from my coffee date dress and didn't want it to peek out of the back pockets, thereby giving me two white lines across my butt at all times. This does and does not work. I'll take that though, since the welts came out so well! My best welts ever, and the secret is in the clipping. Cut every thread down to the corner of your staystitching!

I lowered the waistband by 1 1/2" (I think) and now they're perfect. I felt that the waistband was a little high before.

I know that seems like a lot of changes, but it really isn't. While these pants are not too difficult, I would say it's more of an intermediate pattern. Don't go from jammie pants to these slacks - you will become stabby! Though if anyone thinks they might be helped with a sew along, I could easily be persuaded. We'd be making these changes though! These pants are now perfect and I will sew them with this way forever and ever, amen. Does that mean I could repackage this pattern and sell it as my own creation? Muhahahaha!!

Oh, and speaking of sew alongs, Bhoomika, one of you sweet commenters, suggested the JJ blouse from Burda (an adorable [and FREE!] little blouse pattern that I've been eyeing since early last year). Any objections? It's probably an intermediate level as well, but we'll go through it all together. I will not make any changes, though I may lengthen the top a little (I like my blouses long so they don't come untucked when I sit down). Would that be OK for everyone? We wouldn't start for a bit - maybe by the end of March, but probably April at the earliest.

I've got so many other things to show you, but work has been crazy busy. I've had no time to photograph anything, and even if I did, I have no desire to hop back on to a computer after a full day in front of one. But ooooh, the necklace I made this weekend... I must show you that! And my little dress! I hope you're all well. I go to New York this week to visit one of my very best friends, so I hope I get some stuff posted before I'm M.I.A. yet again. I do miss you so!

xoxo,