I am happy to report, the Built by Wendy City Shorts are now complete! Everything else went together without a hitch!

I supposed, however, that these pants will have to become a wearable muslin - because there is some major alterations that need to be done before I call this a good fit. Check out the major gaposis going on in the back of these babies:

Now if I pull these pants down about 2 more inches, they fit fine, but then they become ultra low rise and the butt is a bit baggy (and who wants that). No, I'm just going to have to adjust these, which is fine. The waistband needs fitting and I would contour the rear a bit so there's not so much loose fabric going on there too. I would also make this again in a size 8 and not inbetween an 8 & 10 pattern range (which my sizing really puts me in).

All in all, I still really love these pants and intend on wearing them - gaps and all. I've posted my review of the patern over at Pattern Review.

To quote the immortal words of Homer Simpson, DOH! I so desprately want these City Shorts to work and now I've come across a few problems - all of which are my fault.

First off, I attached my cute buttons to the pants back, but when I brought them in a different light, I'm thinking that they may be a very dark blue. I really can't tell. I like them so much that I'm keeping them anyway, because if I can't tell, will anyone else?

Secondly, my pants have become the lint, fuzz, hair, loose thread, etc. magnet. I firmly believe it's just the fabric type, but now I'm going to have to keep one of those mini rollers with me when I wear them.

The worst mistake of all - I cut the front of the pants shorter than the back! How did this happen you ask? Well, the City Shorts is obviously shorter in length than the carpenter pants. In order to preserve the entire pants length, I just folded it up when I cut (yes, I could have cut it off and just taped it together later, but it was late and I didn't). Apparently, when I did this, I didn't fold on the cutting line on the front of the pants, I folded on the fold line that they creased putting the pattern in the envelope (remember, it was late when I did this!). Fortunately, I only shortened it by 1 1/8 inches. And since I normally have to take off 2-3 (sometimes more) inches in length, I don't think that this is such a horrible development. If worse comes to worse, I'll just make the hem shorter than the 1" given in the pattern directions.

I also had some problems with the crotch seam. I just couldn't get the outside of the fly to lie down right. After working with it (ironing it, ripping out stitches, etc.) I finally got it to where I like it. I doubt anyone can see what I'm seeing, but I know it's there so it bothers me.

Next up - the waistband!

I got to work on my City Shorts and I believe that the hardest part is over - the zip fly!

I don't know why I dread this part of pants construction, but at least this pattern had you do it almost immediately to get it over with. The instructions for this part of the pants is also pretty good (I'm going to remember to look back on these particular instructions when I come across a pattern that lacks in zip fly detail).

The yokes are also attached and the pocket flap to the pants back. I also cracked open my 5 lb. bundle of Fabric Mart buttons and found 3 solid black (and interesting looking) four hole buttons to use. If all goes well, I may get this project finished by the weekend - or at least the waistband attached.

Burda Easy Fashion Update: I just got an email from GLP News that this magazine isn't going to be published now in English. I'm going to go ahead and take the German issue, but am severely dissapointed. Is there just not a market for sewing patterns in the US? I would love to see more magazines like Burda and Patrones, but I'm afraid that's never going to happen.

Like I needed to start another project, but I couldn't help myself! The 'City Pants' in the Simplicty (4110) Made by Wendy collection has been calling my name since I spotted it! So last night, I cut out the pattern and started pinning it to my fabric.

I'm using a black, stretch twill that I got in my latest Fabric Mart mystery bundle - it has a bit of sheen to it, they seem perfect for this pattern though! I can't wait to get started sewing, but I still have the rest of the pinning and cutting to finish before I can get to do the fun part!