I have made some cute shorts. I love them, but the only problem is I fitted them too much in the back. They hug under my behind, instead of a gentle flow to the leg. Looking at the back pattern, do I just chop off the point of the curve? Am I forgetting anything? I am not trying to fix the shorts. I am trying to fix the pattern for the next ones.
Marcy
Threads Insider
Get instant access to hundreds of videos, tutorials, projects, and more.
Start Your Free TrialAlready an Insider? Log in
Sponsored Content
Replies
What 'point of the curve' are you referring to? Don't cut anything yet! It sounds to me like you make the back pieces too tight in the thighs (or the legs too narrow?). Do you have pull lines in the back so that you can see where the stress comes from? Can you post a picture so that we can actually see what the problem is - then we can all offer suggestions :).
Gloria
I can get a picture taken tonight. It won't be a pretty sight. LOL I need to wash them first, so they won't be baggy. I've been wearing them around the house. Thanks a bunch! If you help me get this pattern fixed, I can't make some more.Marcy
We all look forward to seeing the pic tomorrow. Good luck! I can't believe that you've been wearing shorts all week - we still have snow on the ground!
Gloria
It was seventy degrees Saturday, but today, it's only fifty nine.
O, poor you - you're probably all bundled up today :). We probably won't get to 70 degrees (21C) until June or July. :)
Gloria
Well, it's good now, but when summer comes and I have the "hot flashes" to deal with, I will probably want to jump in some snow.p.s. I'm drying my shorts right now. You should have heard the chuckling when I told my husband that he would have to take a picture of my behind for the internet. (Excuse me, that is so ugly). It was funny , though.
Here are the pictures. Too much laughter in this household right now. The first two are the back and the last one is the front. They are so comfortable, so I am determined to get the next ones to look better. Thanks for any help.Marcy
Just my guess, but I think that you may need more length at the side seams. If you unzip them a little and pull the sides down a bit do the wrinkles disappear?
I'll try it when I get home. Thanks.
You might try "scooping" the crotch seam. Put one leg inside the other and sew the crotch seam 1/4 inch deeper at the lowest point, tapering to no change just past the curve. If the first scoop makes some change for the better, you can take a little more off. Little bits at a time!!
Hope this helps,
Becky
Yeah, I could just baste it and see. That way, I wouldn't have done any damage, if it doesn't work. Thanks.Marcy
I can just imagine the questions from your hubby & the laughter when you told him about the pics :). But it was fun, wasn't it?
You certainly do have the pouch on your backside. Might I suggest that, for your next pair of shorts, you straighten the grain on the pattern so that your centre back seam is straight up & down. As it is right now, the back looks to be almost cut on the bias & that would account for that stretchy-looking pouch. If you look in the archives of these threads (probably under Fitting), a few months back there was much discussion on fitting pants - and the consensus was that the centre back should be completely perpendicular (not on an angle) for a better fitting backside. There are diagrams in those threads, as well, so that you can completely understand what they are talking about. You will also have to make an adjustment for your high hips, too. For now, though, try the suggestions that other poster have come up with & see how that works. While you're at it, you could let out your upper hip side seams a bit & see if that decreases the pulling, as the shorts also look a bit tight across your upper stomach. Let us know how this goes.
Gloria
Hi
I could be looking at my bum!
I am getting much closer to fixing my pants and here is what I do now.....
I can see from the checks at the front that the c/f seam is at an angle...so my suggestion is to straighten the c/f of the pattern. This gives a little extra room over the tummy and the high hip.
I take a fish eyed dart out of the back legs just below the crutch line.....that gets rid of all the extra fabric there.....
I make a upwards 1/4 inch curve over the high hip and back down to the c/b.....that gives me a little extra length to go over the extra fluff!
I also sometimes add a wedge of fabric to the sideseams above the crotch depending on the pattern. This lenghtens the side seams without adding any to the c/b but gives me more lenght at the sides.
but it's all trial and error!
have fun
cheers
Jan
I'll fix the front, that is no problem. The back, I had added a lot to the back pattern. That might be the problem. I might have added to much at one place. I will have to take a picture of the altered pattern and you can, if you will, tell me if that is the problem. They are, believe it or not, really comfortable, just baggy in the back. The material is a little stretchy. Thanks for your help.
Your welcome!
I have discovered that I need to make a new pattern up without making any adjustments first and then I can see where I need to add or remove fabric..............I only make it roughly........no seam finishes etc
For myself I end up taking an 1" out of the c/f seam .........add an 1" into the c/b seam and scoop out the butt ( a LOT!)........my front waist is lower than my back waist. I also use Burda patterns which seem to fit me better...........
cheers
Jan
I wish I had done that. Now I have a messed up pattern and the pattern is out of print. It's McCall's Quick and Easy 3132. I might be able to put it back to it's original state.
Never mind! Patterns are inexpensive compared to fabric but sticky tape is even cheaper!
cheers
Jan
This post is archived.