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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: katie_burke
Date: 03-21-2007, 09:51 AM (1 of 14)
Hi! Thanks to you ladies, I was able to narrow down a pattern to use for an easy-sew top (this thread if you were following Sorry, link unavailable. ).

I now need to find some shorts/capris that are easy-sew and will be flattering to my frightfully pear-shaped bottom half - and preferrably a pair of shorts that don't get the creepy-crawlies between my legs. :up: I can't stand that! Any ideas/suggestions for patterns that are TNT?

Thanks!
Katie Burke
User: katie_burke
Member since: 08-22-2006
Total posts: 45
From: MaryW
Date: 03-21-2007, 10:13 AM (2 of 14)
I know everyone is sick to death of hearing me say this but Sandra Betzina (Vogue patterns) has fitting tips in all of her patterns for pear shaped people. They are easy to follow and I like how they skim the body no matter your shape.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: katie_burke
Date: 03-21-2007, 10:22 AM (3 of 14)
I know everyone is sick to death of hearing me say this but Sandra Betzina (Vogue patterns) has fitting tips in all of her patterns for pear shaped people. They are easy to follow and I like how they skim the body no matter your shape.

Thanks, Mary. Would you consider Sandra's easy-sew? Vogue just SOUNDS hard. LOL!
User: katie_burke
Member since: 08-22-2006
Total posts: 45
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-21-2007, 10:55 AM (4 of 14)
I'm a huge Sandra fan but I am not sure her patterns are that easy to understand.
But they are not so difficult that you couldn't just ask here if you ran into difficulty. Pick something basic and you should have no problems and if you do Pam is here to answer your questions.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: MissTaraTara
Date: 03-21-2007, 10:55 AM (5 of 14)
This may be a bit off base but I remember reading a tip somewhere that one lady would use fusible interfacing on an area of the inseams on her shorts to reduce the creepy-crawlies. She would make patches for each leg. If all else fails maybe you could try that.:smile:
User: MissTaraTara
Member since: 01-24-2006
Total posts: 227
From: MaryW
Date: 03-21-2007, 11:20 AM (6 of 14)
Easy sew - no. They are for the intermediate sewist but like Dorothy says if you run into problems just ask. We will help. Vogue has some very easy to sew patterns tho.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: MaryW
Date: 03-21-2007, 12:02 PM (7 of 14)
Here is one right here.
http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/voguepatterns/shop.cgi?s.item.V7883=x&TI=20019&page=8
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: katie_burke
Date: 03-21-2007, 12:14 PM (8 of 14)
THANK YOU!! :up: I appreciate all of your help!
User: katie_burke
Member since: 08-22-2006
Total posts: 45
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 03-21-2007, 06:39 PM (9 of 14)
Butterick also has Sandra's patterns.. I know they are both owned by same parent co.. (Vogue and Butterick) , but I like the Butterick much better for ease of construction.. I have several of Sandra's patterns from them..
Sew With Love
Libby
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002
Total posts: 2022
From: katie_burke
Date: 03-22-2007, 05:19 AM (10 of 14)
Hi! I ended up getting Simplicity 7229. It looks easy enough to construct and hopefully the smooth lines will be flattering. We'll see! Thanks for all the help. I'll be posting when I accomplish something!

Katie :bg:
User: katie_burke
Member since: 08-22-2006
Total posts: 45
From: PaulineG
Date: 03-22-2007, 06:31 AM (11 of 14)
Looked at both patterns and thought they looked great. However .... I am also a pear - most of us have at least one or two figure flaws - wouldn't it be nice to see patterns modelled by "real" women. It's like the pictures of the burgers at McDonalds (sorry Gina) - they end up looking nothing like the real thing. Patterns are the same - if you could see them on a "real" body it would give a much better idea of what they might look like when complete. Even though I know better I'm disappointed when I don't look quite as good as the picture on the front.

I will usually go to sewingpatternreview and have a look but that doesn't help if you're in the shop agonising over whether to buy or not.:bang:

Will be interested to see them when they're finished Katie - particularly as my local Spotlight (like Joanns) is having a half price pattern sale until the 3rd of April. Yay. Time to do some shopping.
Pauline
User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006
Total posts: 901
From: katie_burke
Date: 03-22-2007, 06:47 AM (12 of 14)
Looked at both patterns and thought they looked great. However .... I am also a pear - most of us have at least one or two figure flaws - wouldn't it be nice to see patterns modelled by "real" women... Patterns are the same - if you could see them on a "real" body it would give a much better idea of what they might look like when complete. Even though I know better I'm disappointed when I don't look quite as good as the picture on the front.

That is what I am worried about - being disappointed. I decided on this particular pattern because it didn't have any extra lumps or bumps (or pockets or zippers - LOL!). Hopefully my choice will be a good one. We'll see! If only I looked like the gal on the envelope (I say as I drink my protein shake this morning)..... Sigh......

[/QUOTE] I will usually go to sewingpatternreview and have a look but that doesn't help if you're in the shop agonising over whether to buy or not.:bang: [/QUOTE]

I did check it on sewing pattern review, but I can't remember if it was the pattern I looked at that didn't have any feedback or if it was the pattern that had great feedback. Either way, I bought it because it wasn't negatively reviewed, so hopefully that's a good thing!

[/QUOTE] Will be interested to see them when they're finished Katie - particularly as my local Spotlight (like Joanns) is having a half price pattern sale until the 3rd of April. Yay. Time to do some shopping.[/QUOTE]

I really SOOOOO wish we had a JoAnn near us!

Thanks, Pauline!
Katie
User: katie_burke
Member since: 08-22-2006
Total posts: 45
From: Kaitlinnegan
Date: 03-22-2007, 12:52 PM (13 of 14)
I have that pattern! I've made the skirt twice, but not the pants yet. Just FYI, the ease for the skirt (and possibly the pants too) was much larger than was necessary. I am between an 18 and 20 according to their size charts, but the 16 ended up fitting me better. There's still plenty of room to pull it on and off. The skirt was super easy to make -- the hardest part (and this was my very first sewing project) was making the buttonholes for the drawstring, but I suppose you could just use elastic instead. What type of fabric are you using? I have a pair of drawstring linen pants that are so nice in the summer -- I've just about worn them out. I'm thinking I might try a pair with this pattern. Good luck!
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User: Kaitlinnegan
Member since: 03-20-2006
Total posts: 222
From: katie_burke
Date: 03-23-2007, 02:25 PM (14 of 14)
I have that pattern! I've made the skirt twice, but not the pants yet. Just FYI, the ease for the skirt (and possibly the pants too) was much larger than was necessary. I am between an 18 and 20 according to their size charts, but the 16 ended up fitting me better. There's still plenty of room to pull it on and off. The skirt was super easy to make -- the hardest part (and this was my very first sewing project) was making the buttonholes for the drawstring, but I suppose you could just use elastic instead. What type of fabric are you using? I have a pair of drawstring linen pants that are so nice in the summer -- I've just about worn them out. I'm thinking I might try a pair with this pattern. Good luck!

Well hello! My ready-wear sizing is the same as yours. It is nice to know that I might actually get away with a size smaller (gasp!). LOL! I am so encouraged by your relative ease with this pattern. I have no idea what kind of fabric I am going to use yet. I suppose whatever reaches out and grabs me when I go to look. I am anxious to give it a try, but time is limited right now. Ball season is upon us! :wink:

Katie
User: katie_burke
Member since: 08-22-2006
Total posts: 45
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