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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: CarolynR
Date: 03-21-2006, 01:44 PM (1 of 9)
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Hi everyone! I'm new here and wondering if anyone can help me with lengthening pants patterns. My daughter has an inseam of 36" for jeans and about 34" for dressier pants. She is long in both the thigh and the calf. That calls for more lengthening than the average pattern allows. How would you go about lengthening a pants pattern without distorting it? Thanks for any advice I can get! 
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User: CarolynR
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 5 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-21-2006, 02:20 PM (2 of 9)
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Well, the pattern may suggest alterations but any alteration can be made. One of the best thumbnail sources for information on altering pants that I have found can be found here. http://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_c/ If you look at C227 I think you'll find that it is one on pant alterations. If not, there is one on the list that is very good. (This computer doesn't display Acrobat Reader well so I can't look at it.) 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: CarolynR
Date: 03-21-2006, 03:26 PM (3 of 9)
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Thanks Pam. I've lengthened patterns in the past when my daughter was tall but not quite this tall! What I'm wondering now is *how much* it's safe to lengthen the pants pattern. I searched the website you mentioned and this list, but haven't found anything definitive about that. I seem to recall reading somewhere not to lengthen more than 2-3 inches, but I'm thinking maybe I should put some extra length above the knee (where patterns don't have any lengthening lines, unfortunately) as well as below the knee, in order to keep the style lines. I'm just not sure IF I should do that or exactly WHERE. So if anyone has actually done this, I'd be glad to hear about it! Carolyn |
User: CarolynR
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 5 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-21-2006, 06:17 PM (4 of 9)
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Carolyn, there was a time when we often had more lines for increasing the patterns than we do now. It was nothing to have at least two lines in a pattern top or bottom to lengthen/shorten. This not only took care of petites but, of course took care of the people who were longer, esp in the torso or legs. I almost suggested while ago that you go ahead a make an adjustment in the upper thigh, or even two if necessary as well as the lower leg. The reason I did not was I was trying to picture what that would do to the pant line, if it would change it much or not. I think that probably depends on the pant itself. If you are looking at a shaped pant, you'd almost have to do that to keep the shape, but if you were looking at a straight pant I'm not sure that it would benefit you any more than just making one adjustment. The answer might lie in taking a pair of her jeans that are long and compare them with a pair of pants of the same type that are "regular" length to see where the factory lengthened the pants. 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: CarolynR
Date: 03-21-2006, 06:49 PM (5 of 9)
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Thanks so much for your help! I'll probably do a trial run, but with the information you gave me I do feel much more confident about trying to make pants for this girl! Heaven knows it's expensive to buy them rtw in her size. Carolyn |
User: CarolynR
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 5 |
From: kt53sew
Date: 03-25-2006, 07:30 PM (6 of 9)
| I have a sister who is 6 ft. tall and when I made something for her [36 inseam] she also was tall thru the torso and I had to add 3 to 4 inches in her crotch depth. way to test if pattern is ok have her sit on hard surface and measure waist to surface ,, check for ease maybe an inch then measure pattern to see if any difference and adjust across hip area. If pants are fairly straight you could just add on bottom, checking width and redraw line back up to hip line. If you feel unsure just make her some pants out of some fun print for summer and then if those turn out use the "real" fabric once you like your results. Katie |
User: kt53sew
Member since: 02-13-2004 Total posts: 19 |
From: CarolynR
Date: 03-26-2006, 11:26 AM (7 of 9)
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Thanks Katie, I will keep that in mind! Carolyn |
User: CarolynR
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 5 |
From: bunzino
Date: 03-26-2006, 05:57 PM (8 of 9)
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If she is long is both thigh and calf, then do it in those 2 places. Just draw lines parallel to the grainline, cut there and add as much as needed. It would be great if the pattern had the knee marked, but hardly any do these days. Just thing about the finished shape of the pants to decided if you need to lengthen in one place or two. nancy |
User: bunzino
Member since: 08-16-2002 Total posts: 119 |
From: CarolynR
Date: 03-27-2006, 04:20 PM (9 of 9)
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Thanks Nancy, that's just what I've decided to do. My dd likes bootcut or flared pants. I won't be making them right away since I have some other things to work on first, but I'm glad to have found this site where I can get good sewing and fitting advice! Carolyn |
User: CarolynR
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 5 |
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