May 24, 2015

Down the Rabbit Hole, Making Jodhpurs


This will come as no surprise, because I can't shut up about them, but I have started drafting a vintage style jodhpurs pattern! I have only ever made one pair of pants in my previous sewing adventures, and that was only because it was a requirement of one of my classes. Nevertheless, that one pair of pants did end up fitting me rather well, considering I didn't even make a mock up. I still had those pants, though had lost the paper pattern years ago, so I sacrificed the pants! I cut them up to make a pattern from them.

I transferred the pattern onto some fresh paper, smoothed out any obvious imperfections, and made a few minor modifications that I hoped would improve the fit. With the small amount of muslin I had hanging around my sewing room, I cut out a mock-up to see how my new pants pattern would fit. Turns out, not half bad!

I have already raised the waist of the pant to my natural waist, and I intend to have a 1" waistband too for the maximum hourglass look. I now need to add the characteristic jodhpurs width to the legs! If you are wondering, no I don't intend to add the saggy amounts of ease to the back of these (intended for allowing movement while riding). I sadly don't see myself actually riding anytime soon! I'd rather not look like a deflated balloon from behind if I can help it!




So adventure chic! The tall lace up boots I ordered from Amazon (see them here) have already arrived and I was pleasantly surprised about how not-horribly-cheap looking they are! They don't even have that fake leather smell, so bonus! Now I am itching to wear them so I have to get going on these jodhpurs. I have to play with the rounded shape and figure out just how much width to add to the thighs to both have the pants look like jodhpurs, but also not make me look huge/ridiculous. I'll need to go buy more muslin and try out a few options before I narrow it down to my perfect jodhpurs!

Is anyone else as enamored with these silly pants as I am?

5 comments:

  1. Yes! Jodhpurs are awesome and somehow incredibly flattering. I can't wait to see your progress!

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    1. Thanks Lauren, I hope to have the pattern figured out by the end of the week!

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  2. *Shots hand up in the air at the speed of light!* Me, me, meeee!!! :) I've never worn them and can only guess how they'd look on me, but goodness, have I long been a fan of jodhpurs as well. Anything old school equestrian/lady adventurer gets me instantly.

    Good luck with your sewing, sweet dear. It sounds like you're off to a cracking start!

    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thank you Jessica! I bought fabric today so these are officially on the docket. It's too bad no one is reproducing them these days, especially since vintage ones are hard to find and rather expensive when you do!

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  3. I am looking forward to seeing your progress on these. I like these images, they all look so stylish!

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