Unglam MMMAY13 pic
It’s really not that often that I completely fail to blog something I make. I’m pretty compulsive that way. Or at least, until this past winter when it seemed like everything from getting photos to getting computer time (never mind the sewing time to begin with) was like slogging through quicksand. There’s a number of things that have slipped through the cracks, the last few months. So sad.
Despite the lack of blogishness, these pants have already been documented via instagram and flickr, because they have to be the single most-worn thing I’ve ever made myself. Even if it’s mostly for that hour or two between crawling out of bed and actually getting ready for the day, few days have gone by since their completion (sometime in February?) without me wearing them for at least a little while.
Booyeah
I don’t really have much to say about the construction at this remove. Fleece is easy to work with. I used Jalie 3022, in about a size U (my usual being either R or S), and with a ton of extra leg length, to allow for the limited stretch of polar fleece. If I were to do it again, I’d give myself a wee bit more height in the rear (something I’ll figure out about Jalie patterns someday), and use a heavier elastic in the top—I used a 1cm elastic as per the instructions, and while I love how unobtrusive it is, it’s not quite beefy enough to keep everything quite where it ought to be in fleece. In the normal-fabric pair I made last winter, it was fine.
Back view
I don’t think I can quite explain to people who come from warmer climes how happy having these pants to reach for in the morning has made me. I’m not quite sure why they aren’t mandatory Canadian attire, right alongside the hockey jerseys and Mountie hats.* It could be argued that they are perhaps a wee bit warm for standard indoor wear, since we have those first-world conveniences like central heating. I will not be making this argument, especially not when I’m trying to convince myself that it’s a good idea to get out of bed in the pitch-dark of an icy winter morning. At those times, cold is a state of mind.
Ooo yeah
I also really, really love that they’re red. Especially with my blue tank top. I just need a red sweater.
Also, Red.
Oh, yeah, I have one. I’m starting to realize I have a LOT of red. That’s a good thing of course, it’s my favourite colour, but when did it become so dominant in my wardrobe?
In any case, even though winter has finally broken (daytime highs in the twenties C, can I have a Hallelujah?), I am still reaching for these in the morning, and I probably will continue to as we turn off the heat for the summer (although Saskabush doesn’t get as reliably cold at night as Cowtown did). And I’ll continue singing the praises of my fleece pants, because they make me So. Frickin’. Happy.
*I do not, and never have, worn a Mountie hat. Or a hockey jersey, actually.
Tanit-Isis Sews 
You are so adorable! I don’t think I’ve ever seen such fetching self-shot photos, between the poses and the fit, (so fetching that I’m using the word fetching!) Fleece pants sound like an amazing idea, except for the dry air and cat fur factors in my house. I’ll stick with cotton flannel and covet your fleece pants from afar 😉
Hmm. Anti-static fleece? 😉 brushed cotton is nice, too. Also, thanks!
Oh fleece pants. I’ve been thinking about fleece pants since you first posted the kids’ pairs ages ago. Now, as we head into winter in NZ I quite fancy a little fleecy something to reach for as I fall out of bed in the morning.
Oh I know we’re pretty warm in NZ but I can’t help it. Snuggly is good. Just damned good.
And they’re red!
Well, the random NZ forecast I just looked at looked pretty similar to our current weather right now! And I’m still wearing mine like crazy. 🙂
Your pants are so fun and comfy looking! I have a pair of store-bought fleece pants (drawstring waist) that I reach for on winter days when I simply cannot get warm. They really are great!
Thanks! I feel like I can’t stop talking about how awesome and warm and comfy they are. 😀
Fleece never looked so stylish!!
Oh, yeah!
Fleece pants are basically required in winter – even down here in the midatlantic. Yours, however, are fabulous. The fit and color are fantastic.
Glad we’re in agreement. Fleece Pants Love! 🙂
I’ve had my fleece pants for 2-1/2 winters now, and like you, they probably were my most worn item during every cold period. I’m amazed they still look as good as they do! (Mine are way WAY less flattering than yours thought lol!)
Glad to hear yours have held up! I’m a little curious about that as mine are a thrift-store mystery fleece. They’ve had a few washing already, of course, and survived well, but, well, I would like to keep them for a LONG time…
OK, you’ve convinced me. I’m going to have to go buy some fleece in the most embarrassing print I can find and make myself some of these. Embarrassing so that I take them off to go out in public…in theory. 😉 If I had some sexy red ones like yours, I’d probably wear them out in public. 😛
BAHAHA! I totally advocate the sexy red fleece pants (did we just use “sexy” and “fleece” in the same sentence?) LMAO!!!
Prints… now you’ll have me wanting some in the Carebears print my LFS has…
LOL! Yup. 😉 Oooh! Carebears would be really cute! I say go for it!
You look great in red. I have been shying away from red, maybe I should try it!
I know it’s not everyone’s colour, but I LOVE it! I’m pretty sure red bottoms (away from your face) are great on everyone. It is kind of an attention-getting colour, however. 🙂
Had to pop in because this post was so funny and your pants are so cute. I think these would qualify as Tim Gunn’s sweat suit alternative. Who knew fleece could actually show one’s figure! Or at least your cute one!
Red is the new black…blue red for some, yellow based red for others (me)! All one’s colors go with red!
Best,
Cherie
Fleece pants FTW! My mom bought me some fleece-lined tights/leggings for Christmas and it’s only just gotten warm enough to wear them 😉 (I probably could have worn them under other pants, but I don’t have any that are loose enough for an underlayer.)
They look very snugg!!!
Oh, I just love the red on you! I’ve got a couple of fleece pants in boring grey and black that get worn to death every winter…I should really trace them off and make some me-made versions!
These are fierce! I love them!!!!
Your ‘go-to’ warm pants are much more grown-up looking than my striped pale pink, white, and grey pj pants (so old and worn, they’re ridiculously soft and about to fall to pieces). You look like you could actually leave the house in those! 😀 They’re super cute and cozy looking, I think I need a pair…
And as I plan a camping trip for the upcoming long weekend, I’m thinking how handy those would be. So much better to make breakfast in than jeans, much warmer than my yoga pants and okay for public (camping) consumption. I think my eyes just got a little greener. 😉
Very nice! I like the red! I’m sure if I had them, I be wearing them all the time. Comfy pants are on my list – or else it’s pajama pants and yoga pants.
One of my friends made fleece pants a couple of winters ago, and we teased her like crazy. In hindsight, on some of the cold days we’ve had this year, I think you’re both onto it and I’m the crazy one for missing out.