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From: NDNQuilter
Date: 05-29-2006, 09:41 AM (1 of 15)
| When I buy pants they are always too long from the waist to the crotch. I can roll the waist band up a couple of times and they fit. How does one bring the crotch up with out altering the waist? Thanks |
User: NDNQuilter
Member since: 10-04-2002 Total posts: 90 |
From: lorna
Date: 05-29-2006, 11:01 AM (2 of 15)
|
When I buy pants they are always too long from the waist to the crotch. I can roll the waist band up a couple of times and they fit. How does one bring the crotch up with out altering the waist? Thanks Others here will give more experienced answers, but as I recall (after 40 years of not sewing), there are alteration lines printed on the patterns themselves. I think they are labeled "Shorten or Lengthen Here." To shorten the crotch, look for the horizontal line that runs between the waistline and the crotchline. Cut off the desired amount of length and tape the two pieces together there OR just fold and overlap the paper there. Remember that if you choose to overlap the paper, overlapping them by (for example) ONE inch becomes in reality an overlap of TWO inches, etc. As I recall, you must shorten *above* the line, not below it. You have to do this to both of the pants pattern pieces so that they match up. After you have cut off the extra length or overlapped the two pieces to equal the desired shortening, then redraw the cutting lines to be one continuous line. Others with more experience will tell you more and hopefully correct any errors that I have made. Good luck with your pants. I just finished a four lesson Beginner's course at a sewing center. Our project was a pair of elasticized or drawstring pants. I wore mine yesterday with quite a feeling of accomplishment.  -Lorna Lorna in Southern California Picking up (spring '06) after decades of not sewing.
Baby Lock Decorators' Choice, purchased April '06 |
User: lorna
Member since: 04-13-2006 Total posts: 8 
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From: NDNQuilter
Date: 05-29-2006, 11:25 AM (3 of 15)
| Thanks Lorna for the advice. I'm not a big fan of garment making.....more of a quilter, but I like the sound of drawstring pants. |
User: NDNQuilter
Member since: 10-04-2002 Total posts: 90 |
From: lorna
Date: 05-29-2006, 12:04 PM (4 of 15)
|
Thanks Lorna for the advice. I'm not a big fan of garment making.....more of a quilter, but I like the sound of drawstring pants. Robin, We in the beginners' class were given the option of drawstring pants or elasticized. Elasticized in this case was a piece of elastic inserted into the casing and then sewed shut (as opposed to elastic being sewn onto the fabric itself). I opted for the elastic because I don't like having to tie a tie all the time, or having that extra fabric sticking out on my tummy, adding yet more girth. Good luck with your pants. If you are able to upload a photo of it, I would love to see it!-Lorna Lorna in Southern California Picking up (spring '06) after decades of not sewing.
Baby Lock Decorators' Choice, purchased April '06 |
User: lorna
Member since: 04-13-2006 Total posts: 8
|
From: plrlegal
Date: 05-30-2006, 12:11 AM (5 of 15)
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I often have the same problem with rtw pants. If I buy them to fit my waist, they too long in the crotch and baggy in the seat. The only way I've been able to shorten rtw pants in the crotch is to remove the waistband, shorten the pants from the top and resew the waistband back on. Others may have better ideas than this. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: NDNQuilter
Date: 05-30-2006, 02:50 AM (6 of 15)
| That's what I was afraid of, Patsy. Thanks for your help. Have a great day. Gena |
User: NDNQuilter
Member since: 10-04-2002 Total posts: 90 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-30-2006, 10:04 AM (7 of 15)
|
Sometimes our bodies don't conform to the dimensions of the sewing/pattern world. Taking them up and resetting the waistband or redoing the top is usually the best solution. Before I had the twins I was very flat in the front and heavy in the hips...this is just about the only way it worked for me.
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: AndreaSews
Date: 05-30-2006, 10:51 AM (8 of 15)
|
1) Yes, my first thought was about removing the waistband and reattaching it at the right level. But then I started to warm up to my second thought, which I hope works for you, b/c the first one's a pain! 2) See if you do better shopping in a store for petites. OR check out the low-rise pants that are almost impossible to avoid these days in the stores anyway!
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: bluebirdie
Date: 05-30-2006, 04:58 PM (9 of 15)
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Ya I agree with Andrea. Before I used to have to alter every RTW pants. Thanks to the low rise fashion trend, fewer alterations for me now. I dread the day low rise fashion outdates me. Hopefully I'll be a better sewer before then. - Robin
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User: bluebirdie
Member since: 03-12-2006 Total posts: 139 |
From: NDNQuilter
Date: 05-30-2006, 06:42 PM (10 of 15)
Thanks so much for all the great input. I do shop in petites but still have the problem. Haven't thought of wearing low-rise...........hmmmmmm, wonder what I'd look like! I think I'll try on a pair.  Thanks again, Gena, in a hot humid Tx where we need rain.
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User: NDNQuilter
Member since: 10-04-2002 Total posts: 90 |
From: Orc40k
Date: 05-31-2006, 11:42 AM (11 of 15)
|
I have a pair of RTW elasticized waist (the kind with 4 rows of stitching holding on that 2" elastic) sitting on my alteration pile for the exact same reason. Why does the clothing industry not know that there are plenty of woment out there who have generous hips and backsides without enormous belly bulges to accomodate? And with real waistlines... I ripped off the waistband and will be pulling the front up to comfort level since I love the pants. But believe me, I have worn plenty of RTW rolled over at the waist and either left my shirt untucked or bloused it enough to cover the rollover. |
User: Orc40k
Member since: 06-29-2005 Total posts: 47 |
From: Pitfall
Date: 05-31-2006, 12:43 PM (12 of 15)
|
I have been accumulating a few books on sewing to help refresh me (yeah, steadily eating away at my machine budget, lol) and there are quite a few that do really good jobs at walking you through various pattern adjustments and alterations. Although I haven't had the opportunity to personally try the Palmer/Pletsch method in "Pants for Real People", many people seem to swear by their method. Nancy Zieman's book, "Fitting Finesse" uses a pivot-and-slide technique that requires alot more measuring, but that's how I do it. I never even knew that there was an official name for it...I just kind of made it up as I went along. (I was and still am a science/math geek which disgusts my kids to no end.) My radical approach infuriated my mother, but it consistently worked, so she'd just shake her head and let me at it. Nancy's book utilizes it in a far greater number of applications, though, and I'm looking forward to experimenting IF I EVER GET MY MACHINE!!!!! The "Simply Best Sewing Book" by Simplicity covers the "slash-and-spread" method pretty clearly and it's a great little reference for beginners as well. None of the books I've mentioned were over $25 and I paid much less for them used on Amazon. I'm sure there are more great books out there that haven't crossed my path.....YET! Happy Wednesday! Robin |
User: Pitfall
Member since: 05-21-2006 Total posts: 18 |
From: lorna
Date: 05-31-2006, 12:53 PM (13 of 15)
|
The book FAST FIT: Easy Pattern Alterations for Every Figure is a fine book for altering. It is written by Sandra Betzina, who had a show on HGTV called "Sew Perfect." I also have her other books POWER SEWING STEP BY STEP and NEW FABRIC SAVVY. -Lorna Lorna in Southern California Picking up (spring '06) after decades of not sewing.
Baby Lock Decorators' Choice, purchased April '06 |
User: lorna
Member since: 04-13-2006 Total posts: 8
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From: Sancin
Date: 05-31-2006, 07:43 PM (14 of 15)
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I have a big front and flattening back/bum. I find when I shorten waist on RTW in the front (back usually fits) that they do not hang well and I believe it is because the grain line has been changed. BTW - I am having a jumble/garage sale this weekend and getting rid of a box of clothes previously used for costumes. Last night I pulled out a circular black velvet skirt that I wore when I was a teen (50 yrs ago) and my daughter wore a few times. I cannot believe the size of the waist!! My upper thigh is not that much smaller!! I may just have to keep the skirt for the fabric just to remind me of my youth! *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: NDNQuilter
Date: 05-31-2006, 07:48 PM (15 of 15)
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Thanks Robin and Lorna, I'll check the libray for the books. They carry a lot of sewing/craft books. Hadn't thought of that. Orc40k, how did you know what I look like? I do have a generous behind following me and a belly leading. Looks like I'm going to be wearing skirts. Have a great day. Gena
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User: NDNQuilter
Member since: 10-04-2002 Total posts: 90 |
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