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From: wp88
Date: 05-10-2005, 12:26 PM (1 of 9)
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I am trying to make a pair of casual jean type trousers, have simplicity pattern 4760 ( wrong company name in my opinion). When I made a shirt I found on this site the very helpful lessons which made it easier to do than follow the pattern instructions. I can now manage shirts that I can wear ok after my first failure. As this is the first pair of trousers (pants) I am making is there anywhere that has similar helpful hints on making as again the pattern looks a little daunting but I am going to give it a go. Any hints or suggestion most welcome, thank you in advance, by the way remember I am still learning and a male. |
User: wp88
Member since: 03-28-2005 Total posts: 35 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 05-10-2005, 12:40 PM (2 of 9)
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I sort of agree about Simplicity's instructions sheet.. Let me give you the best advice I ever received about making boys or mens trousers.. My neighbor who taught Home Ec at the college level gave me this advice when I tackled a pair of pants for my young son.. "When you get to the part about zipper installation and the whole part about the fly-front.. Do exactly what it says and take it step by step.. Do not deviate !! Do each step and that, only. Then , Go to the next step.." I very carefully folowed Kathy's advice and my son had a wonderful Easter outfit that year.. Bell bottom trousers from a herringbone tweed and a long line vest with football shaped buttons fastened with loops.. (can you tell this was almost 40 years ago??) That advice about the fly is still good today..or it is to me, anyway.. (works for the Grands)
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: paroper
Date: 05-10-2005, 06:10 PM (3 of 9)
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I absolutlely agree with that advice. I do think you should take time to READ through the pattern and as you do that, visulize doing what they are saying. Sometimes when you do that the steps make more sense when you back to the beginning to start the project. Reading through also give you a chance to second check all the notions you will need. There is nothing worse than getting down toward the end and discovering that you are short something. Don't ever skip a step because that step is easier. Some of the things you do set up the next stage of the pattern. Besides, it is like skipping ingredients in a recipe thinking that you'll go back later and get what you left out...sometimes you forget to add those critical ingredients.
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: wp88
Date: 05-21-2005, 03:45 PM (4 of 9)
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I have now put the trouser together but again the instruction sheet I couldn't understand what they meant when putting on the waist band. My seams and marks lined up perfectly but could not follow what I was supposed to do so I have adapted the pattern. The pants fit and are ok for the first attempt but whose patterns will do a better instruction sheet as Simplicity for me are rubbish. I have contacted them and all they say is that you have to be more experienced, ok but how if you can't follow what they mean. As I said with the shirt is was because this sites instructions were very easy to follow. Are other patten makers better at putting things on paper as I can normally follow tyings if the diagrams are clear. Any advice much appreciated as I am fed up with Simplicity. |
User: wp88
Member since: 03-28-2005 Total posts: 35 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-21-2005, 04:30 PM (5 of 9)
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The pattern companies aren't putting as many pictures and as much detail in their sheets as they used to do. You can try McCalls Patterns and see if their sheets make more sense. Each pattern company tends to do things differently, and the instructions seem to sometimes vary from designer to designer within the pattern company. You may want to look at some basic sewing books. I haven't purchased any in a very long time, so you may need to make a post to see what good ones are out there right now. Of course, the local public library is a good place to check out books and see which ones work for you the best before you invest money.
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: toadusew
Date: 05-21-2005, 09:21 PM (6 of 9)
I was recently told by a Hancock's employee that her mom advised her to stay away from Simplicity patterns. When I asked her why, she said that Simplicity patterns tended to be inconsistent in measurements, and that the pattern pieces often didn't fit together right. She said she had used Simplicity and every time, she had had some difficulty with them. That explained a slight problem I had with a Simplicity pattern that I was using at the time. And it probably explains why I've always preferred McCall's. Personally, I find McCall's instructions easier to understand and I also find that their illustrations are better. After that, I decided to stick with McCall's. However, a friend sent me a cute pattern for a skort--and it happens to be Simplicity.  
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 05-21-2005, 11:08 PM (7 of 9)
| wp88, maybe you should have a look at Kwik Sew pattern's. I haven't personally used a pattern for men's pants but have used their other patterns and have been impressed with their instructions and pictures of how to do things. I have even bought all their pattern books and have used them many times and think they are well worth the money, especially the toddlers and children pattern books. One of our fabric stores is closing out and now have a sale on patterns (buy one and get 3 free) so if the kwik sew patterns aren't available to you and you have an idea what you need perphaps I could check and see if I could get some and ship them to you, it's a thought, so please let me know as soon as possible as I really don't know how much longer they are going to be open. I have been stocking as much fabric,gadgets and stuff as money will allow as it's 60% off now. I really hate to see them close as it was my main shopping place. |
User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003 Total posts: 242 |
From: wp88
Date: 05-23-2005, 12:24 PM (8 of 9)
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Many thanks for the suggestions and I will be looking into buying other makers patterns in the future. I appreciate the trouble you all go to to help and have found this site to be really excellent and with a lot of helpful information on it. Thank you again. |
User: wp88
Member since: 03-28-2005 Total posts: 35 |
From: Lise
Date: 05-23-2005, 12:49 PM (9 of 9)
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This is slightly off-topic but still about men"s trousers. My hairdresser who is a very smartly dressed lady a little on the shady side of fifty offered me the following advice. She said that as the female body ages the butt is inclined to sag which sort of flattens out the rear, while the tummy is inclined to "grow" a little. With this in mind she occasionally buys men's pants "off the rack" and looks good in them (I can vouch for this) . While I haven't tried it yet I'm going to soon. Lise 
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User: Lise
Member since: 07-24-2000 Total posts: 231 
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