Pleather Pants

Pattern: Pants based on Colette's Clover Pants
Cost: $20



I was pretty excited about these pants. After sewing up a few pairs of my Clovers, I wanted to branch out and make a fun pleather version for going out. I ordered the fabric in January, and just now made the time (4 hours) to make these up. 


The fit was a bit snug, but I did enjoy them. The shiny fabric got some nice comments at a party with friends, and paired with those shoes they made my legs look super long. I could have seen myself wearing them on nights out that were special but not too dressy - my go-to casual look.

The PVC pleather didn't cause too much trouble, at first. I pre-washed it, and I can't remember if I stuck it in the dryer or not. With my walking foot and serger, it fed through the machine just fine. Everything went just fine, in fact, until I tried on the fit before attaching the waistband and stuck my thumb right through the fabric on the lower leg. What?! The next try-on the pants started to tear away from the seam near the same spot. I think the problem was that the plastic was coming off from the backing at this part. Maybe it's because I washed it? Anyway, I knew these pants probably weren't long for this world, but I thought I could save them for some fun times. I wore them out the next night and, while they made it through the evening, about an hour before leaving the party I noticed a big gash in the butt as I was leaving the bathroom. They were donezo!


I don't entirely regret it, as they were a quick project, allowed me to use my pants pattern, and I got at least one good wear out of them. I would like to make them up again, but definitely using a different pleather material!

Has this ever happened to you? And does anyone have any good stretch pleather resources?

And to wrap up my week of pants post: even if I wasn't successful, you might come out on top - today is the last day to enter in the men's pants giveaway!

11 comments:

  1. Ack! How funny :) I have a little fear of my me-made garments coming undone in public. I made a dress for my sister's wedding, and the side seam developed a little hole at some point during the day of the wedding. It was a small hole, and the dress was lined, but it makes me worry that worse could happen. the pleather pants look pretty awesome!!

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  2. Rrrrrrrawwwr! These look hot! I can't believe they started falling apart, though! You are brave to wear them out after the little issues making them - they look awesome though! :)

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  3. Oh no!!!!! They do look great on though and nice to see how the pattern works with different fabric. I don't really go near non-stretch fabric for pants so my thoughts haven't ventured anywhere close to PVC. But I've seen a "trick" on ready-to-wear garments where they use pleather just as accents (panel, outer leg, pockets etc) to give the look that the whole pant is pleather, but the main part of the garment is a more forgiving fabric (like stretch denim or thick cotton/lycra). That's something I might try.

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  4. This actually was stretch fabric. And my finger stretched a hole right through it... :( Ugh I wanted these pants so bad though!

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  5. of course, i had to run into the t.v. room to check out the footstool and see what it feels like. i think if you want something hardwearing, like tight pants, you'd have to use a thicker grade of pleather, like a not-so-thick upholstery grade. since it is what it is, they probably all stretch, don't you think? that being said, you definitely do not look like a footstool. you look great. and best of all, you had fun. isn't that the point?

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  6. Now they're some pretty snazzy trousers! They look great - shame about the ripping though - maybe they need to be made from thicker fabric x

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  7. So cool! I love the idea of leather trousers using the Clover pattern. Pity they didn't last too long but maybe you can give it another go some time :)

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  8. Awe man! At least you got a good wear out of them! They are super cool.

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  9. Aw, how sad they deconstructed already! I'm glad you had fun with them for a little while, anyway!

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  10. What a bummer! They look awesome though!

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  11. you need to stop looking so good! stop it! like right now! ugh, I am totally jealous of your pants making skills already and then, bam, pleather pants!? it's just not fair.

    but for real tho, i'm sorry the fabric wasn't cooperating. that's such a bummer 'cause they look really cool. unfortunately i don't have any recommendations for pleather sources :(

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