Pants. Slacks. Trousers.: A tragedy in at least 2, maybe three, parts

Here in the U.S.A. we refer to the long, loose fabric coverings for ones' legs as "Pants."  As it turns out, this has the potential to be an entertaining American faux-pas when travelling abroad -- specifically to the U.K., where "pants" means a woman's panties/underwear/unmentionables.  ... Now that we've cleared that up, the newest challenge is to make myself a pair of pants -- specifically, a pair of trousers. (which we Americans understand to mean a rather more formal pair of pants, although perhaps indistinguishable from slacks, but longer than shorts, which seems somewhat obvious). Where Jeans (always plural for some reason) fit into this whole situation, who knows?!?

Trousers are defined by the all-knowing Wikiverse as "an item of clothing worn from the waist to the ankles, covering both legs separately."  I decided that I needed to kickstart my sewing mojo with a practical challenge.  Being rather potato shaped, with tuber-like legs , I have never found a pair of trousers that fit properly.  I can find jeans that fit reasonably well, but they tend to be too tight and informal for work-wear.

My work wear has devolved into 3 dresses worn in constant rotation.  It's gotten to the point where, if it's Monday, it must be time for the purple dress!  Dressing has become super easy, but also super boring.  Clearly something needs to change.

So, I signed up for a sewing class through Portland Community College taught out of local (quilting mostly) shop, A Common Thread.  Jan, the instructor, is awesome.  She's beautifully practical.  She said we should try to limit ourselves to 4 or fewer pattern pieces so we can actually finish something during the short class.  The pattern I picked -- Simplicity 3688 -- has 2 pattern pieces for the legs plus a waistband.  By the numbers alone, this should be SUPER EASY.  Not even I can mess that up.

...or so I thought.

As it turns out, based on at least 20 minutes of internet research plus Jan's more thoughtful feedback, I need:

1. A round tummy adjustment (this, apparently, mostly involves moving darts)
2. A flat seat adjustment
3. A knock knee adjustment

I kid you not.

Stay tuned....