I haven’t sewed anything much for a couple of years. But today I hauled out that last scrap of black denim Eldest Daughter bought me a few years back and squeaked out a pair of pants.
Now to me, a good comfortable pair of pants should have nice roomy pockets. You know for a bit of Kleenex, a stick of gum, a list for head’s that can’t remember anything for more than five minutes, etc.
The other need for pockets is for more critical stuff. For instance, during the summer months, when Hub and I go golfing out on the back forty, instead of dragging our golf carts and bags along, we just grab a nine iron for me, a five iron for him, a couple of tees, a couple of balls, and we’re off for a game. And that’s when everything becomes an inconvenience when I don’t have nice roomy pockets for my tees and an extra ball. Or a Kleenex to weep into when I so miss the shot I intended.
But right now we’re sewing pants and although the pants went together swiftly, I just couldn’t get inspired about pocket-making-intricacies. I know, pockets aren’t that difficult, but each time I make them, especially if I haven’t sewed for a while, I must thoroughly review the process.
I know that because if I don’t review the pocket-making-process, when my slacks are finished and trimmed of any stray sewing threads, and proudly turned right side out, the pockets will be neatly, soundly, and securely sewed shut. Oh yes, they will.
So without the patience, or the inclination to relearn pocket making intricacies, I simply slapped those slacks together without pockets. Then made a comfy wide elastic waistband, and hemmed them up.
But pants without pockets are just not a good thing. I pondered the situation, thought about other pants worn by the younger crowd and there I found a solution. I simply plastered a couple of nice roomy patch pockets lower down on the outside of each leg.
Hub laughs at me. At my notions and how they change with the passage of time. For instance a few years ago, when I was sewing slacks, I minded not being quite embedded in the process. It was nothing for a project such as that to take four days, maybe even longer. But no more. Like I say to Hub, as one becomes elderly, they must find ways to accomplish progress in much shorter laps.
I don’t have four days to spare pissing around with the construction of a traditionally pocketed pair of slacks. I have part of a day, and by god, I will get them done in that time, or I won’t be making them. I don’t have enough time for any long drawn out affairs. (Especially, since I might have a blog to write!)
Too much of each day is used up trying to get out of bed, get my feet under me, and get in and out of the shower. And the time I need for cleaning my false teeth, curling my coarser hair that would rather not, plucking strays from my chin, lotioning up my feet…and doing the rest of all the compulsory house chores in slow mo.
Sewing is a luxury that must be condensed or it won’t be happening.
So after all that, where am I going with this rant?
No place, really. Just want you to know the slacks were finished in two hours, they fit beautifully, they are very comfortable, and the patch pockets will work perfect for lists, tees, golf balls, sunglasses, or bug lotion – as soon as I get the tops of them opened up with my seam ripper!
