It's become trickier and trickier in recent years to make pants for these older boys of mine. Pockets, sturdy seams, and zippers naturally take a lot more time to make, but are just the things that make for a strong pair of pants suitable for the hardy wear they give them. Plus there's all that fabric, which often makes thrifting a pair of pants much more economical when compared with quality yardage. Oh, and there's style too. Sigh. Somewhere along the way, some of them start to really care about that sort of thing, and Mama's homemade pants are traded in for skinny jeans (and, thankfully, a little bit of sewing themselves - that pants pattern gets a lot of use around here).
But all of those things just makes it all the more fun for all when I do find a way to make something that they love...and wear!
Ezra recently complained to me that he didn't have enough comfortable pants. My ears perked up. Comfortable, you say? Oh, I can totally do comfortable.
{Owl shirt by Silk Oak}
The pants are Sandbox Pants by Oliver + S (which is still printing this pattern in the 4-8 size). I used a soft grey corduroy (I'm sorry I don't remember who makes it, only that I got it at Z Fabrics a while back). The pattern - like all Oliver + S patterns I've tried - came together dreamily and I'm so pleased with the results. I love that waistband, and all the pockets are super fun (though I did leave the buttons off the back pockets in favor of even more "comfortable" pants).
My not-so-little boy is happy with his comfortable pants - they're just right for him and all the wonderful things he spends his days doing - reading, playing guitar, dancing and other good stuff.
There's something extra rewarding when I can successfully sew for these growing boys - when a mama-made piece works its way into the track pant/skinny jean/skater shorts repertoire. Given that they're actually choosing to wear them, it's kind of like getting a kiss from them in front of their friends. You know what I mean? Like a little parent reward for things like bows and arrows and electric guitars (oh yes, Ezra's gone electric too) in the house.
It's just a pair of pants. But oh, it really does feel good.