Happy new year, friends! The Curvy Sewing Collective is delighted to announce that we are planning a month of posts in February focused on sewing pants… Curvy Pants Month!
Yes, yes, my UK friends, snicker away… we mean the other kinds of pants! Trousers, slacks, jeans, culottes, britches, chinos, pantaloons, clam diggers, pedal pushers, cargos, joggers, trackies, flares, bell bottoms, skinnies… if it’s got two tubes that cover your legs and bum, it’s in!
Like the CSC’s other theme months, Curvy Pants Month is shaping up to be a great month. Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Pants pattern roundups, including trousers, pull-on pants, jeans and more!
- Pants making tips, tricks, and resources
- Pants making supplies
- Pants making tutorials
- Pants pattern reviews
- A pants Pattern ThrowDown and a pants-themed Same Pattern, Different Bodies
- Lots of inspiration and ideas on how to get started with pants making or perfect your pants sewing skills
We have some planned posts in the pipeline, but we’d love to hear your ideas, too! Do you have a favorite pant pattern you’d like to review? Know of an ingenious way to sew waistbands or fix a wonky crotch curve? Want to learn more about a specific technique or fitting adjustment? Feel free to let us know by emailing us at mail@curvysewingcollective.com or commenting on this post!
We hope you’ll join us for Curvy Pants Month! Grab the Curvy Pants Month badge below and get the word out on your blog or social media! Use the hashtags #curvypantsmonth and #curvysewingcollective!
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I need new pants since my figure hasn’t sprung back from pregnancy and I am returning to work soon. I was looking online today and it seems like nothing has pockets. I want pockets. I like pockets. Pants pockets and breast pockets in jackets. I lose purses but I can’t lose pockets. So if you can recommend patterns with large pockets, I would appreciate it. Thanks!
Hi Tracey, in case you’re looking at sewing Jalie, the Elleonore Pull-On Jeans, the original has no front pockets, however, I’ve written a tutorial on how to draft and add functioning front pockets, which is scheduled to be on the Curvy Sewing Collective mid February.
Yay, so looking fwd to this, I have never got past PJ bottoms! I would like to make a reasonably wide leg linen pant with a jersey waist band, like wearing yoga pants but with the coolness & “swish” of linen…..I dont tend to tuck tops into my pants so a nice comfy smooth waistband makes more sense than a gathered elastic band that can look lumpy (who needs lumpy??!)
Sounds like the perfect pair of pants – what pattern are you using?
That’s the problem, I can’t find one! With a bit more experience I’m hoping I could find a pattern I could alter myself?
My daughter is near to to impossible to find rtw pants. I grew up sewing and didnt realize that i should have a phobia of sorts to making pants and lucked out with a great pattern and the fitting instructions marvelous. Simplicity Amazing Fit8056. It covers fitting the crotch very well along with different pattern pieces for slim average and full booty 🙂
Hmm, I’m new here ladies!
I’m tall. And when I was in Jr. High School my go to pants were hip huggers, because they fit right. In High School, my favorite “pants” were pant skirts.
I sewed a little, but mostly tops. I even made some money sewing for my cousin. I’ve got this thing for cotton wovens. I was a perfect 36-24-36 at the time and the only alteration I ever had to make was length.
That was the last time that I could actually buy a pattern, take it home and sew it and not worry too much about fitting issues.
Low and behold, I hit 12th grade and grew 2 inches taller and everything else filled out too! Then I had kids.
Now, I’m a grandma. Nothing fits (not even shoes) so I am determined to learn to do this. I’ve been wearing men’s clothing for a long time. Jeans and T-shirts. And the summers in FL are brutal. Too hot for jeans to be working out in the yard. I found that women’s stretch shorts were too short.
I found some men’s elastic waisted jersey knit shorts that fit and I could afford, but I guess everybody else liked them too because they sold out before I could get any new ones. They were loose enough in the leg that they look like a pantskirt.
The last time I tried to sew a pantskirt, I followed the sizing chart, I sewed them up, and when I finished them, I walked out into the livingroom to show my friend and we both burst out in gales of laughter. It looked like I had made a floral printed tent! The crotch on those things was literally down near the top of my knees.
Now, maybe I’m deformed…I don’t know! But I had an argument with this lady online about 3 years ago, about the waistline placement and how in the world can anybody have a hip 9″ below the waist! She stated that my belly button COULD NOT be my waist! And she was emphatic on that point.
I said, “But when I bend sideways, that’s where my waist bends, right in line with the top of my hipbone! She told me I was wrong!
She told me that my waist should be several inches above that…
But that’s my ribcage!
And I have worn women’s jeans but they kill me because they cut me off at my ribcage. Even “tall women’s” jeans. And I finally quit trying to wear them.
.So men’s jeans, relaxed fit, fit me perfectly. I wear a 34″ waist with a 32″ inseam. And the snap comes just above my belly button.
My desire, is to be able to sew culottes/pantskirts that fit. And if I could figure out how to actually sew some jeans that didn’t fit like a torture chamber that would be great too!
I’ve had half a mind to get a sewing pattern for men’s jeans, but I didn’t know if they would fit like RTW jeans or not.
I have come to the conclusion that I might just have to learn to draft my own patterns…nothing else seems to work anymore. And don’t get me started on FBA! I wear a 38DD, which just got too tight and now I’ve got to figure out whether I’m to go up a band size or a cup size or what!
If you are really considering drafting your own, I would like to recommend the Craftsy class by Susan Furrer – this was recommended to me and even though I haven’t finished a final pair (life got in the way), I am really impressed with her method and how helpful she is…. Otherwise I have had the best fit with Burda.
I’ll keep that in mind! Thank you!
I just found the article on the Bootstrap Fashion and they’ve got slopers for jeans! I’m seriously thinking about ordering one and sewing it out.
The other day, I found a copy of Grading Techniques for Fashion Design Second Edition [Jeanne Price, Bernard Zamkoff] for $32 and everybody gave it great praise so I ordered that. It hasn’t come in yet.
I’ve piddled around with drafting my own patterns off and on for years. Seems like life kept getting in my way of getting it perfected and then I would gain weight and have to start all over.
I’ve got some major back issues going on now…and bending over working on drafting out patterns sounds like pure punishment, LOL! So, early this morning I found that article on Bootstrap and I’m like…this will save me DAYS of having to stop and take a break and start again. And a lot of Ibuprofen!
I can pretty much design anything as long as I have a good sloper pattern. Including pantskirts and shorts that don’t show everything when I bend over.
After I get this tackled, it’s working on tops that don’t require me to wear a bra so that I can survive summer visits from my Stepson! I’ve been wearing tank tops in the back yard, but they reveal a little too much to be comfortable is someone comes over. And bras hurt my back, so that’s an issue that’s going to get taken care of before spring hits.
Hi
I sewed a project for my hard to fit Dad. Maybe you could apply the same methods to your issues…
I got a large chunk of styrofoam
put it on a table
put paper on it
carefully placed the nearly worn out favorite shirt on the paper
straightened it out as best I could (things were a bit off grain from use/age)
pin along the seamlines
pull all the pins out… play connect the dots… add seam allowance
continue till every piece has been duplicated
make any fitting/design changes you want to make now before cutting out your pre-shrunk fabric
cut out the paper
cut out the fabric
cut out interfacings
find your favorite instructions for something similar, and proceed.
I found this in tutorial format on youtube, but honestly it isn’t that hard. The first time is time consuming, since the grainlines are wonky…but after that, you’re golden!
You know what? That has got to be one of the best ideas I’ve run across in a long time! Thank you!
I went back in to remeasure myself because it’s been a while since I’ve done it and I had an epiphany.
I have scoliosis so, I suppose I don’t carry myself the same as most people do. I stood in front of the mirror and I’m muttering to myself…”if my full hip, is supposed to be 9 inches below the waist and the high hip is supposed to be 3 to 4″ below the waist and I’m measuring my waist where I normally bend sideways…something isn’t right.
So, I did one of those SHIMMY movements in front of the mirror, which is a little difficult for me….(I’d never make a dancer), I went, “Ah-ha!” Yeah, just a little bit of movement right under the rib cage…not much, but enough to put a dent there.
So I tied some string there and made sure it was level all of the way around and FINALLY, all of the “normal” measurements lined up!
I’m a 22 Misses/Miss Petite on the patterns!
But I never wear my clothes there because then I wouldn’t be able to bend over or breath! LOL! I think it could actually act as a straight jacket.
And I suppose, that all of these years I’ve been buying men’s jeans that’s where THAT waist runs is actually considered the “High Hip”.
And I found some awful news today. My men’s jeans say 34″, but I must have stretched them out because they aren’t 34’s anymore. They are 37″ and there’s no ease left in THAT! LOL!
So my real measurements…
High Bust 40 1/2″ w/o bra, but when I put it on, it shoves fat out the side top and I get 41″ snug.
Bust 44″
Waist 37″
High Hip 41″
Hip 46″
And I’ve got to go back and remeasure the inseam, outseam, rise, crotch depth, etc. I think I’ll need hubby’s help with that.
But I still think I am going to seriously consider just take apart a pair of pants. OR find a pattern for low-rise jeans!
You are very welcome. Hope you are able to make it work.
Re the February pants sewalong, may I respectfully suggest that maybe the best style to start with is an absolutely plain pant without pockets etc. These can be added after we have got the fit adjusted correctly.
Great idea! With all the different contours, I think fitting pants are one of the most difficult challenges in sewing!
I have tried to make pants and shorts in the past, but stopped because they didn’t fit. So this is the ideal moment now that I want to sew more for myself and less for my childeren.
Fantastic!!! Can’t wait!
I’m curious about tips and techniques for inseam pockets and slant pickets that don’t gape. Maybe a foolproof fly front zipper with a shield.
Also a post on what brand of pants patterns suit what body type etc would be very helpful for beginners. I’ve figured burda pants with contour waistbands fit my body shape so much better. But this is not easy for a newbie.
I’d love to see a tutorial on adjusting the crotch curve, and changing the flare of the lower leg.
Great! I am desperate to make pants and I do not have a helper. I am especially interested in adapting patterns for large buttocks and heavy thighs.
Will you be looking at harem pants? Best pants for pear shaped bodies? Flattering dressy pants outfits?
I’ve added most of the Craftsy pants classes to my library. Their utility varies from extremely useful and helpful to “glad that was on sale when I bought it because I’ll never watch it again.”
I have returned to Kathy Ruddy’s “One Pattern, Many Looks: Pants” over and over because the instruction (and Kathy’s personality/humor) is excellent.
And while I don’t love the presentation in “Pant Fitting Techniques” (reviewed on the CSC last February), I keep coming back to this pattern. I think the princess seams are infinitely helpful for fitting, and I’m making my 4th pair right now.
I’m looking forward to Pants Month!
I have a smaller waist relative to hip measurement – not that either are small! I got the best fit from the Burda patterns, but last year bought the Craftsy course by Susan Furrer (which teaches how to draft your pattern) and am very impressed with how thorough she is…. I have a third prototype pattern awaiting my attention…..
One thing I think would be helpful for a lot of us is to have a centre back seam in the waistband – as for men’s dress trousers…. that way you can make a final tweak there if necessary…..
A center back seam would be really helpful! Good idea! Glad to know the Susan Furrer class is helpful, too!
Excited to follow along this month and learn. I wear petite in RTW because of the length from crotch to waist. Any chance we could address this issue? How to petite that area, but still have room for a belly?
Thanks for the feedback, Betty! Addressing petite adjustments is a great idea; I’m sure many women also face this challenge!
It might be helpful to link to Closet Case Files pants fitting post as well, if she is ok with that. It was the most thorough pants fitting post I’ve ever seen.
Yes! What Betty said. It would be so nice to not have the crotch somewhere near my knees. Lately I’ve bought low rise pants and hiked up the waist so the crotch fits but then the waist is too big and they slide down. Pretty soon the crotch is . . . . somewhere around my knees. I am really ready to make my own.
Pants fitting instructions for us curvy ladies would be great!
Hopefully we’ll have this covered, Aida!
I’d like to demystify crotch curves. I know what doesn’t work as it bites, but I’m always confused how to solve it.
Is there a tool to ID the shape of your crotch curve (j, l, or whatever they are called) and make pattern adjustments before a muslin?
Crotch curves are tough, Mariah! Hopefully we’ll be able to point you to some helpful resources on this topic!!
Great timing! Although I have been sewing for many years I have never made pants. But I am determined to try them this year. I have these patterns in my queue: Lisette for Butterick B6183 wide leg trousers, and the leggings B6295. I am not very experienced with fitting techniques so all help with that is appreciated. If I can do well with those I am curious about making jeans…
Glad the timing works well for you, Addie! Hopefully we can provide you with the tools you need to be successful in your pantsmaking adventures!
Very timely – I’m planning to sew my first pair of pants in 25 years, so this will be super helpful !
Excellent! Hopefully we can provide you with the tools you need to be successful in your pantsmaking adventures!
I never had a very feminine waist to hip ratio, even less so these days after two pregnancies and a chronic illness which packs on the pounds if I’m not careful. Finally, I have a seriously sensitive abdomen, so tight waists and belts are out. All my pants have me pulling them up every 5 minutes -annoying at home, but a source of potential disaster in public! These include all sorts of ‘curvy cut’, adjustable, elasticized, and even pregnancy and men’s jeans.
Please help, if possible… I am in serious need of advice, here!
Hmmm- that is problematic! Hopefully we can figure out a solution to your problem!
Don’t worry, I promise not to become some sort of ‘pantzilla’! After 6 years of chronic illness, I’ve learned to just be happy being able to get around without a cane most days, unlike 3 years ago (at 37!). I’ve learned to love skirts and dresses, and recently discovered that a lined, cotton, peasant skirt over heavy socks and some cotton yoga pants did a better job of handling -27’C than jeans and long underwear would, while staying comfortable indoors.
This doesn’t mean that I plan on giving up on my dream of a comfortable pair of pants, just that I’m not in dire straits while I search ;-7
Maybe some sort of suspenders under your top? I’ve never seen such things but sometimes I think I would like something like that, too.
Have you thought about a yoga style waist? They use them a lot in the new maternity pants. The pants stay up because the waist is an elastic knit type fabric, but it is not as snug feeling as a regular elastic waistband. Or use power stretch material instead of elastic in your waistbands.
Wooo! I haven’t made pants for over a decade, perhaps its about time I tried it again…tips for fitting full post-baby tummy would be much appreciated!
Full tummy adjustments will be covered; in the meantime, check out this tutorial Michelle wrote on the topic: http://wp1094.hostgator.com/~waezmq0ac6rs/tutorial-full-tummy-adjustment-pants-or-skirt/
Just in time! I am “required” to wear jeans to work and need a new pair. I made my last pair but I have fitting issues. Crotch fit, How get pants to go over a large posterior but still fit a smaller waist.
The big butt-small waist thing can be helped by a contour waistband, especially if you are prone to the big gap in the small of the back (swayback, I think!). Also, you may even want to pinch a bit out of the yoke and back on each side of the CB seam (think two darts). Those things helped me with my jeans this past Sept/Oct.
I agree- contouring the waistband and yoke helps a lot! Hopefully Curvy Pants Month will help provide some solutions for your fitting issues!
I must admit, although I have sewn quite a bit of clothing for both me and my children, the only pants I ever made were elastic waist pants or leggings for the little ones. And I so desperately need some pants and to find any in the store is impossible or unafordable. Although I on the lower spectrum of curvy, I am so far from RTW that it really doesn’t matter. Do I dare to try to make some pants? I don’t have access to many sewing patterns, but I do have many burda issues. So hopefully I can figure out what pattern to start with.
Yes, dare to make pants! We’ll have a post on pants sewing for beginners that might be helpful to you!
Have you tried downloadable PDF patterns? Style Arc has some great beginner pants patterns in their Etsy store.
Yes!! Looking forward to the resources listing. Thank you!!
Yay!
Maybe a pants sewing for beginners? Good patterns to start with, etc?
Yes, please! I second this one fervently, and am so very happy to hear that you will be posting resources, as well 🙂
I have wanted to make some yoga pants for a long time but because I’m sooo curvy I haven’t made any that fit right. My hips and but get in the way.
Hopefully Curvy Pants Month helps you find some solutions to your fitting issues!!
And that includes shorts??? It is too hot to wear pants here right now! I”m in I think!
Shorts are included! I think many of the fitting posts will be completely relevant to shorts!
Yipee! I am looking forward to the info you guys provide. I have NEVER been able to successfully sew a pair of pants. This should be good!
Hooray! Hopefully we help you reach your pants dreams!
Oh yeah! Really looking forward to the hints, tips, tricks, and tutorials.
Hooray!!