Making Trousers for Men & Women: A Multimedia Sewing Workshop

by David Page Coffin

Comfortable, flattering pants can be challenging to make - but they're wonderful to wear. In this book, David Coffin provides his inventive, sure-fire methods for getting it right.

With his characteristic precision and straight talk - and with the help of photographs, drawings, and exclusive access to a series of online video sequences - Coffin teaches the reader how to get great results, whether making a showcase garment or just whipping out an everyday pair.

For more information and book-related extras, visit David Coffin's blog all about making trousers and specifically designed for the readers of this book.

Genres: Sewing, Crafts, Reference, Nonfiction

145 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2009

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at how a self proclaimed amateur produces a decent pair of pants. Some good tips, a decent list of books to follow up on and a page of sources. While I probably won't produce any new pants in the near future, things change. Modern clothing isn't consistently sized and the materials used seem to wear faster.

Make sure you check out the extras on the web for this book, they are excellent.

[Annmarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book would be more about pattern drafting and fitting pants, but sadly it is not. It's about the style of the finish on pants. so while it's good for tips on making pants look professionally finished, its missing the whole first part of getting the pants pattern. The author says there are links to places that have a list of patterns he prefers, but that's not what I was looking for. I wanted a book on how to draft pants patterns and make them fit nicely and I didn't get that. So this book is kind of misleading in that department. Oh well, when I finally do find a decent pants pattern I'll know all the tips and tricks to make them look professionally finished.

[Robbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book with a lot of different styles to make when making trousers. My one issue is that elsewhere Coffin comments on cryptic instructions for constructing garments and then does the same thing himself in this book. A few more diagrams would have been handy here for the more complex constructions.

[Dave Pier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coffin is not a professional tailor, wedded to a tradition, but an avid and experienced amateur, and that is the perspective he shares here. He has learned by analyzing bespoke and ready-to-wear trousers, by observing professional tailors at work, by absorbing the lessons of sewing instructors like Sandra Betzina, and by tinkering. The approach he shares in this book is one that focuses on ease, efficiency, and clean aesthetics, without worrying about following any established rules. Notably, he suggests doing away with sewn-on fly facings, pocket facings, and even waistbands. A grown-on or "cut-on" facing or waistband requires no seam, which means less bulk and a smoother line. It is also easier to do.
The one problem with this book is that it really doesn't stand alone as a how-to book--too many details of the process are skimmed over or left out. You need at the very least his online video class.

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the deep dive in to ready-to-wear and haute couture clothing. The closer look at what differentiates fine clothing and RTW is really helpful.

Also, yes trends come and go, but it's so nice when clothes actually fits your body. Those are the pieces that tend to stay in my life.

[Chloé · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting ideas on pants design details, but the instructions are really hard to understand.

[Srisurang · Rating 4 out of 5]

เล่มนี้ดีเพราะมีคลิปวิดีโอสั้นๆ แถมเป็นซีดีมาด้วยค่ะ แต่ว่ารู้สึกมันสำหรับคนตัดเย็บเป็นแล้วมากกว่า มีวิธีให้เลือกมากมาย เช่น แค่ติดซิปก็มีหลายวิธี ทำกระเป๋าก็มีหลายแบบ อ่านแล้วงงๆ มึนๆ กว่าจะทำตามได้ ไม่ใช่ง่ายๆ แบบคนหัดทำค่ะ (ซื้อมาจากคิโนะฯ) แต่ถ้าพอตัดเสื้อผ้าเป็นแล้ว เอาไว้อ้างอิงคงจะดีมาก สามารถปรับเปลี่ยนกางเกงจากแพทเทิร์นต้นแบบ ว่าอยากได้แบบเปลี่ยนไปอย่างไร กระเป๋าแบบไหน ต่อเอวแบบไหน ทำได้มากมายหลายอย่างค่ะ

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to know the thinking that can go into making a pair of pants, and pros and cons of various features. However, it doesn't give enough help on making the pants, or the pattern, FIT. I still need to search elsewhere.