Replies

1. 
   Kitch | Jul 07, 2008 05:40am | #1

   I personally do not have any two pairs that are the same.  Find the ones you like the best and measure the inseam and go from there.  I have a pants patter that is perfect fit, when I make capri's I take off 5" and have enough to turn up to hem.

   Good luck...hope this helps,

   Kitch

1. 
   dressed2atee | Jul 11, 2008 06:47pm | #6

   You could also make a band at the hemline out of some contrasting fabric to add length.

1. 
   JunkQueen | Jul 11, 2008 11:15pm | #7

   Something I've done a couple of times...... I'm very long legged, so often have to deal with pants legs that are too short. I have cut off two or three inches of the pants leg, sewed a coordinating or contrasting piece of fabric to the now shortened leg, then sewed the part I had previously cut off back onto that. Once I did some decorative work on the inserted piece of fabric -- couching and machine embroidery in the same color as the fabric. Just be sure to take in to consideration seam allowances then you do this as well as how much longer the pants need to be when cutting your insert. I've cut sweat pants legs on the diagonal and added contrasting bands to lengthen them.I hope what I just wrote makes sense to everyone.

1. 
   ThreadKoe | Jul 12, 2008 02:04am | #9

   Yes, you made perfect sense JunkQueen. I used to add ribbed bands to the legs of my girl's footed sleepers when they got too short for them to extend the wear on them. Those are also good tricks when lengthening hand me down pants for kids. Cathy

2. 
   dressed2atee | Jul 14, 2008 04:08am | #10

   That sure did make sense...I bet you get lots of compliments!

2. 
   Teaf5 | Jul 08, 2008 09:01pm | #2

   Capri length depends a lot on the shape of your leg and the width of the pant leg.  Try on your pants with the top you'd expect to wear with them and experiment in front of a full mirror.  Some will elongate your line, and others will make you feel squatty, even if you are tall.  On a narrow capri, I like a notched opening on the outer seam at the hem for wearing ease.

   Finally, if you don't like/want capris, you can always add a seamed bottom portion to make full-length pants.  Made in the same fabric and topstitched neatly, the seaming will create "design interest" and seem intentional.  You can even add a placket or series of buttons along the outside seam of the "addition" for more style interest.

1. 
   chattyone | Jul 09, 2008 04:59pm | #3

   How much too short?  You can add a cuff, hiding the seam where the cuff would turn up, or if the pants are casual ones, you can add decorative detail, such as adding an extension, with a slit on one side.  Look at  Marcy Tilton Vogue 8397 for some ideas, and this will not really work on a classic pant - they need to be more casual or artistic.

    

   This is a design opportunity!

    

    

1. 
   Teaf5 | Jul 11, 2008 04:02am | #4

   I think you intended to reply to lillady?

2. 
   SewFit | Jul 12, 2008 12:25am | #8

   Great idea.....many years ago I saved a pearl grey maternity dress that I cut too short by adding a strip of white ribbed fabric to the hem of the dress. to both sleeves and the neckline and Voila'.....a "designer" dress that got loads of compliments.

   Edited 7/11/2008 5:27 pm ET by SewFit

2. 
   katina | Jul 11, 2008 07:55am | #5

   Hi Teaf5

   Brilliant idea - thanks. I made a pair of capris I don't wear, so will try this treatment on them with the remaining fabric