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From: Pepsigal
Date: 04-05-2004, 11:20 PM (1 of 11)
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Hi all, I have a question, and I know this is the place to get an answer. I have trouble with RTW pants. In order for them to fit me in the hip/butt area, they are too large at the waist. I'm not a big fan of belts. Is there a way to put elastic in the waist-band to make them fit more snug? Or maybe something else, that I haven't thought of???? Thanks in advance, Maggi 
Have a great day! :)
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User: Pepsigal
Member since: 02-28-2004 Total posts: 29 
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From: MartySews
Date: 04-06-2004, 09:24 AM (2 of 11)
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I would suggest taking off the waistband and decreasing the fabric to fit your waist. You may have to increase the darts at the waist in the pants to get a good fit. Instead of going to all of that trouble to "fix" RTW, it's just easier to make one's own pants to fit right the first time. 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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From: lovemyfabric
Date: 04-06-2004, 09:34 AM (3 of 11)
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I have the same problem with pants. But since I started buying pants that are a little bit shorter in the waist they rest on my hips and fit a lot better. I also get ones with some stretch so they are more comfortable everywhere. I bought a kwik sew jeans pattern last week and I am going to try to make them. I hate trying to alter a pattern, but it would be nice to make pants that are a perfect fit. I'd also like to try making dress pants. |
User: lovemyfabric
Member since: 06-06-2003 Total posts: 126
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From: Pepsigal
Date: 04-06-2004, 12:47 PM (4 of 11)
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many times, but they just never fit right, either. And I'm not very good at altering patterns. If I decrease some of the fabric at the waist, I don't think I'll be able to get them over my hips. Dilemas... Dilemas... Maggi
Have a great day! :)
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User: Pepsigal
Member since: 02-28-2004 Total posts: 29
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From: blackie
Date: 04-06-2004, 04:05 PM (5 of 11)
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you might try ordering a custom pair. i know landsend.com (http://landsend.com/) has an option to order custom jeans or chinos with a money-back guarantee. they are kind of expensive ($50) but if you love them, they feel good, and they look great it might be worth it.
see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: Helen Weiss
Date: 04-10-2004, 12:52 AM (6 of 11)
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I've had great success with a suggestion that I got from one of our members. This idea works best if the waist needs to be "snugged in" up to 2". Make two cuts on the INSIDE of the waistband at the side seam. Insert a piece of elastic measuring the reduced size needed, then stitch in place with a zig zag stitch through all thicknesses. This works amazingly well, and most often doesn't even look like there is elastic inserted.
sewhappy
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User: Helen Weiss
Member since: 10-16-2003 Total posts: 69 |
From: bren
Date: 04-10-2004, 07:00 AM (7 of 11)
I took a pair of pant's out of my closet and took them apart to make a pattern... I know will fit... 
Bren:
Don't let anyone ...Live Rent Free In Your Head |
User: bren
Member since: 11-30-2002 Total posts: 489 
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From: AngelSewz2
Date: 04-10-2004, 09:15 PM (8 of 11)
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Lately I have been buying ready to wear pants at an upscale thrift store in great condition except I don't like the waistbands on most. Some are too wide and some are too high on me. When I go to fix them I try them on to see what needs to be done. I then jot down on paper what measurements I will need to use to adjust the waist. With a seam ripper I rip out the stitches and take off the elastic. I iron the creases out then I use my rotary cutter and ruler to cut off the excess fabric to make my new waistband. I remeasure and make a casing. I use the non-roll elastic in either 1" or 3/4" and stands up great wear after wear and washings also. This also brings up the crotch area to fit better than hang in front too much.
-----Sew with Stitches and Halos O__
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User: AngelSewz2
Member since: 06-27-2003 Total posts: 6
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From: bren
Date: 04-11-2004, 05:27 AM (9 of 11)
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Welcome to the board's AngelSewz2...And I thought I was smart with my pant pattern ... Good idea with your pant's
Bren:
Don't let anyone ...Live Rent Free In Your Head |
User: bren
Member since: 11-30-2002 Total posts: 489
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From: Mrs Rabbit
Date: 07-13-2004, 10:43 AM (10 of 11)
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I have the same problem ... I either unpick the waistband, take in waist and resew, or put elastic in at the back, from side-seam to side-seam. Both methods work well for me. Must admit, I find it more cost effective to buy a good pair of pants from the op-shop (spend top of $6) and adjust them, than to make from scratch ... can't usually get zip, thread & button for that price! Sad, but true. Recently bought a new designer pair for $6, completely lined, took up the hems and away I went! Save my sewing time for things I really enjoy! Jennifer |
User: Mrs Rabbit
Member since: 07-12-2004 Total posts: 10 
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From: MariLynnTX
Date: 07-19-2004, 11:42 AM (11 of 11)
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since the terrible accident I had 6 years ago, because my left ankle, which is held together with plates and pins tends to swell when I am on it too much and looks ugly. I buy pants at thrift shops often, and if I get nice fabric on sale I make them. I use a pattern for that made as Bren said: cut apart a pair I had that fit well and cut a pattern from them of pellon, so it would last a long time. It has, I am still using it! I am short (5'2") with average length legs, rather long in the waist, but short in the stride, and plump but most pants are too large in the waist and too long in the stride if they are long enough in the legs and fit my hips, which are the same as my bust measurement. So I usually put elastic in the waist after removing some fabric at the waistline to shorten the stride. I nearly always skip zippers and make an elasticized waistband. I make long skirts pretty often now, too, and they are even easier! MariLynntx
Life is a song...we give it harmony or dissonance.
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User: MariLynnTX
Member since: 08-13-2001 Total posts: 256 |
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