Wide legged pants with a surprise McCalls 7547

 I love a little surprise, and I have one with these pants.  One of my goals for 2018 is to make pants without elastic at the waist.  Now, there’s nothing wrong with pull on pants, but I want to learn how to fit trousers and jeans too.  Here’s one of the pants fitting resources I used from Closet Case Patterns.

I made these at the end of January and I was only sewing from my stash when I made these so I had to improvise.  I don’t have much bottom weight fabric in my stash and no denim, I did have piece of stretch denim so I used this.  I’m not the most creative with designs and hacks, but I only needed about three or so inches. I have a bag of left over scraps so I picked this African print as a nice contrast.  I like classic pieces so this was nice to keep the classic flare leg pants with a little something different.

Pattern Description:

 
Close-fitting jeans and overalls have faux fly front, lapped zipper side opening, patch pocket and leg variations. A, B, C: Carriers. C, D: Purchased overall buckle kit.

SEWING LEVEL: Advanced beginner (zipper insertion, buttonholes)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

 
Yes, I made view A, aside from the surprise in back it looks the same.
Were the instructions easy to follow?

 
Yes
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

 
I don’t like the faux  fly front and side zipper for view a &b.  It was a little awkward, and also, I wasn’t a fan of the zipper insertion, invisible would have been better.  and having to ease stitch the waistband.
Fabric Used:
Stretch denim
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

 
I graded the pattern up to size 24.  I adjusted the front rise, reducing it by four inches, and I raised the back rise by three inches.  I also scooped out the back crotch curve.  I lengthened the hem by two inches.  I sewed using 3/8 seam allowance for the side seams.  I added the contrast fabric to the bottom back leg pieces only.  I used an invisible zipper.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
 Probably the overalls shorts, the side zipper makes more sense or I’ll change the closure to buttons.

Do you have any fabric shortage saves?  What are your go to pants adjustments?