These are my favorite Chico’s pants. I bought 2 pair last December on sale – for about $15! Anyway – LOVE these fine details – and you can do it too. Note in first picture the ribbon around the bottom of the invisible side zipper. Also – that it is stitched to the seam allowance at the bottom.
Invisible zips can really scratch your body – especially at the top edge. Do an inside tab like you see here. This is all on the INSIDE of the pant. Covers the zip coil and tab at the top and holds it altogether on the body nicely.
Note where my left forefinger is pointing…this is stitching THROUGH the end of the elastic that has been stretched a bit to INTERFACE the facing. The elastic extends to about the same distance from the side around the back of my body.
Here, I’m showing how the 1 1/2″ elastic has been butted right up to the top edge of the facing seam on the INSIDE of the facing – and stretched a bit. It is serged along with the facing edge to finish, and topstitched to the facing only along the top edge. It appears to be stretched just a tad all along – just a gently tug, firm pressure as you apply it. See next picture…taken from inside the pant – showing the slight ‘gather’ on the facing.
This teatment makes for a wonderful firm, flat, comfy waistband – no matter WHERE on your body you place it! Mine hits just a smidge below the belly button. Young ones want it lower – us old gals KNOW where our real waist is, eh?
For Londa’s books, patterns, and supplies as described in her sewing escapades, please see Londa’s Creative Sewing – http://www.londas-sewing.com