Replies

1. 
   Teaf5 | Dec 15, 2006 09:48pm | #1

   The usual crotch length adjustment on pants is marked as a horizontal line on the pattern about five inches below the waistline, and you do both front and back, and then lower the hem edge if you need more length in the leg.

   You would remove crotch length from the waist only if you want the new style of pants that ride on the hip, and even then, it would be easier to buy a pattern with "sits 2" below natural waistline" on it.

   However, several very good threads on this forum address pants fitting issues and crotch curve adjustments that refine the process. Try a search for "pants fitting" to find them.

1. 
   MCSew | Dec 15, 2006 11:18pm | #2

   Hi thanks for that information, but my problem isn't on a pattern , it is on alterations on a store bought pair of pants that are hanging to low in the crotch area, but the legs are the proper length.  If anyone knows how to fix this problem I would love to hear from you.   MCSewing

1. 
   Ralphetta | Dec 16, 2006 12:58am | #3

   Here is one suggestion that might work for you if the pants don't fit really tight in the thighs.  Baste first,  to check and see if it will work in this case! This will only work if you can remove equal amounts from the front and back of the crotch.  Many times the problem isn't that simple, but it's worth a try.

   Try on the pants and  use a safety pin to take in the crotch seam where it connects.  Figure out how much shorter  will be comfortable.  Then, beginning about 6-8 inches from the crotch,  start tapering from the inner leg seam toward that mark.  Do it on both inner legs.  Lay the pants out so you can mark a gently tapering line from the crotch down the inner thighs.  This only works if you can remove equal amounts from the front and back crotch and should not make the pants any shorter. You will be making the thighs a little tighter, so that may be a problem.

   By basting this seam, you should be able to tell if it will work and it shouldn't do any permanent damage if it doesn't work, unless they are velvet or a fragile fabric.

2. 
   user-51823 | Dec 20, 2006 11:53pm | #4

   i learned how to "scoop crotches" on the first movie i worked on.use your seam ripper to undo the sideways crotch seam from the center, extending about 12" down each inside thigh. when you have it all opened up, bring front and back sides back together and overlap them by the total amount you want taken in at the center, then taper back out to blend back in at the thigh. pin the heck out of it and sew. depending on the fullness of your rear, you can either take up equal amounts from front and back, or just take in from one or the other and make the new sewing line on that half match the original seamline on the other.
   this should have no effect on the leg lengths.
   hope i explained clearly...

   Edited 12/20/2006 7:14 pm ET by msm-s

1. 
   mainestitcher | Dec 21, 2006 06:05am | #5

   What the last two have described is known in this part of the country as altering the "fork." It will make the stride smaller: the stride is measured from the center front, down between the legs, and up to the center back. It may improve the fit of your trouser or pant. Altering the fork is more effective to remove depth, front to back. It will not shorten, very much, the length from the waist to the crotch, maybe a little. If that is way off, I can't think of a way to fix that very effectively.