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From: MaryW
Date: 03-30-2004, 12:04 PM (1 of 11)
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I need to alter my pant pattern a bit. The thigh is just a bit too snug for me. How do I do this? I think I can slash and spread, is this right?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Dede
Date: 03-30-2004, 01:21 PM (2 of 11)
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Yes you can but if you slash from the top, you have to alter the waist and if you slash from the bottom, you end up with bell bottoms. What I've seen done, and I don't know how well it works, is slash a cross at the tigh level and slightly spread the pattern so no alterations at the waiste and not at the bottom. Have you thought about adding a 1/4 inch or so on each side at the tigh when cutting? No alterations needed. |
User: Dede
Member since: 03-23-2001 Total posts: 469 |
From: MaryW
Date: 03-30-2004, 06:23 PM (3 of 11)
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Yes, I thought of it. I think I will try that first. thanks Dede.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Skye
Date: 03-31-2004, 01:57 AM (4 of 11)
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Hi Mary, I have looked up Sandra Betzina Fast Fit and she suggests adding to the front piece inner leg seam, 'From the crotch tip measure out at 1/2",1",1.5" and draw new cutting lines ie merge to cutting line down towards the knee area. If your are adding more than 1/2" to front inner leg then the addition must be balanced by adding to side seam half the amount that you are adding to the inner seam. Mark these new seam lines on your fabric this makes it easier to match it to the back seam line. Sew using smaller add on try on if too tight move out to the next marked seam line. The back pattern piece is unaltered. Now Pants for real people say you may have to alter the back the same way depending on where those smiles are  Hope this helps I have only just got Pants for real people - My body shape has changed  so my tried and true pants pattern doesn't do it any more - there seems to be more of me everywhere Skye |
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-31-2004, 08:40 AM (5 of 11)
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If you are using a multiple size pattern, use the same method to alter your pants that they used to change the sizes. Each size usually increases on the outside leg, some patterns also alter the inside thigh. Slight increases can be made on the inside thigh without any noticable change to the design, but if you make too much alteration, you'll end up with pants that are too wide in the inner leg (saggy, baggy britches). If it is too narrow in the crotch area though, it will pull and wrinkle and be uncomfortable. When you make your changes, taper the top back to your seam lines in the top if there are no alterations to be made there, and since this is a thigh alteration, use less taper to the bottom. If you look at your pattern, when you alter a size 10 pant to have size 14 thighs, you follow the size 14 lines to the bottom, not the size 10. This keeps you from having an unsightly bulge at the thighs.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: MaryW
Date: 03-31-2004, 10:45 AM (6 of 11)
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Thank you ladies. I was surprised when I found I had to make the adjustment. The same pattern I have used all this time is just a little too snug. A month down south didn't do me any favors in the size department.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: paroper
Date: 03-31-2004, 11:17 AM (7 of 11)
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Then I would recommend an alteration that would be easy to take up later! Pam pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: kt53sew
Date: 04-01-2004, 10:33 AM (8 of 11)
| when I alter pants for thigh area .. I take and look where and why it is big or small. If you have hips then you need to add more to the side but if your thighs are heavy like mine then you add to the inner leg area . For patterns this means to add to the back peice of the pant starting from the inner thigh seam and go down about to the knee , this also helps if you have some tush and need some sit space.. as women get older they get more tummy and loss the tush so then you need to add some to the front and remove from the back..I have done alterations for 30 years and this seems to work for my ladys.. good luck ..KT |
User: kt53sew
Member since: 02-13-2004 Total posts: 19 |
From: MaryW
Date: 04-01-2004, 12:25 PM (9 of 11)
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Thanks kt, I am just disgusted I have to make the change at all
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: plrlegal
Date: 04-01-2004, 02:36 PM (10 of 11)
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Just back from the wilds of the hospital cardiac unit the last couple of cays and they cardiologist gave me explicit instructions for altering this condition known as middle age spread. He says 10 minutes a day of brisk treadmill exercise will take care of the mid-line and low mid-line bulges, plus a low carbohydrate, low sugar, caffeine free 1800 calorie a day diet. He did not give me an option on this. It is a medical order. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: MartySews
Date: 04-03-2004, 10:04 AM (11 of 11)
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Patsy, Know what you mean. When I was in the cardiac unit in February my doctor informed me that I had had another TIA (mini stroke) and it was 6th one. This time I suffered some nerve damage in my hands and feet. Not good ... take your doctor's advice seriously. I cannot do the treadmill routine but I am using small hand weights following a regimine of exercises prescribed. It makes a difference. Take care, dear friend ... Happy Stitching! Marty It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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