I cracked the code to FITTING PANTS!! 😯new technique for custom fitting your sewing patterns!

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Video Source for TOP DOWN CENTER OUT method: • Part 1: Welcome to the...
Hi Y'all,
I'm so excited to share this video with you today on my review of the top down center out method for fitting pants. I just discovered this technique and could not be more thrilled with the results I got. It can help guide your way through full tummy adjustments, waist alterations, full hip adjustments, full thigh adjustments, crotch curve adjustments (such as when the crotch is too loose, or when the crotch is too tight, or if the crotch is too long or short), contour waistband drafting, and more.
Follow me along on this journey while I discover and figure out how to use this top down center out approach in this video. It's quite the adventure :)
Sewing Pattern is the Matilda 80s Pattern by This is Kachi. www.etsy.com/listing/10248329...
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[@THISISKACHI]

THIS!! This is exactly how you should work with patterns 👍🏻 this illustrates perfectly how body shapes differ and that you always have to make mock ups. That’s what we learnt in university from day 1. thank you for using my pattern and I think your alterations worked really really well. I didn’t know the method you were using and definitely learnt a lot from your video! Also, I appreciate so much how clean and perfect you work, it shows in the final result. The stitching is just gorgeous ❤

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

Thanks so much for watching Kachi! Love your work so much. Yes I used to be stubborn about making mock ups until I dove into the world of pattern drafting and realized that bodies differ so so much. Now I realize how essential they are. Thanks for being such an inspiration for me, I love your channel! You'll hit 100k soon. Question for you: do you recommend a technique for adjusting the crotch length on ONLY the front? Not the back and the front? I'm still not sure what to make of all that

[@curiositydrawsme9180]

Thank you for normalizing the fact that, because we all have different bodies, it’s rare to find a “plug-n-play” pattern. I always feel self-conscious when I don’t get a project right the first time, but your video reminds me that it’s not so much about “getting it wrong” as a stitcher/patternmaker, or having the “wrong” body as a human, but rather that there’s a puzzle to be solved and that there are collaborators who can help us solve those puzzles. It’s cool to think of all the resources available to help us, whether it’s a forum of makers on Reddit, a book, or perhaps even the person who originally drafted the pattern, if they have the time/bandwidth to respond. In the latter case, a patternmaker certainly has the experience to offer insights about some of the adjustments *they* had to make in order to make the pattern work for them. It’s a nice thought that each of us is uniquely positioned to recognize what does and doesn’t work for our own body, which gives us a kind of expertise to lend to the process as well. I really appreciated your captions which kept updating how much time had been spent on the process as you went. I’m trying to get better about understanding how long it takes for me to do something, and I think it’s easy to think only about how long it took to complete a final draft and to leave out all the R&D that goes into making a final draft a successful one. I’m really happy to find your channel, and I look forward to watching more of your thoughtful and informative videos!

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

I love this comment so much, thank your for sharing your insights! I've learned so much about commercial patterns through this journey.. especially the fact you'd be pretty darn lucky if it fits you magically lol

[@kellyross4801]

I found the Palmer Pletsch Pants For Real People book to be super helpful and learned to "read" the "smiles". And... I'm middle aged. I learned long ago, that an elastic waist is my friend. BC, ("before children") I wouldn't wear elastic waists. 😁 My other useful tip is to sit *down and measure your tummy, and thighs! If they're snug standing up, they will be more so sitting down! 😮 Ask me *how I learned that! 🙄

[@jackkip]

Just discovered that also. Looked great while standing up. Sitting down was almost impossible 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@Lazydaisy646]

I was taught to sit down on a dining chair and measure from the chair to the waist. ..ive found that a good indicator of room required

[@NadoCrowFriend]

The great part about committing hours and hours to getting a pattern to fit well, is that you then have a pattern you can almost use as a “Sloper” - which can be the basis for any other ( pant, in this case) pattern. Beautiful results!

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

Yes to the sloper!! I also have a pair of ready-to-wear pants that were falling apart that fit PERFECTLY so I recently took those completely apart to serve as a sloper too. They're more of a traditional, single dart kind of sloper. Thanks for watching Diana!

[@EWard101]

Excellent video, thank you.

[@CMoore8539]

Awesome Video Brittany!!!💞 Wow! You are very talented. Not only can you grow beautiful flowers and plants! You can sew too. Do you like cooking or baking? I love these things too but I haven’t ever mastered pants 👖. I made a pants jumper one time but it didn’t really fit right. Maybe I should try again!😊

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

You should definitely try again!! I LOVE cooking and baking too. I just don't document it, I feel that'd be hard to do on my own. thanks for watching!

[@cocodoo1806]

Super vidéo très intéressante, j'ai beaucoup appris MERCI beaucoup 🤩😊 !

[@ES-zl9py]

I've always been too scared to make a pair of shorts because I know they won't fit but your shorts turned out amazing! I appreciate your dedication in trial and error for the perfect fit, now I know that spending an entire day trying to get them perfect is not a waste of time. That gold top stitching was also spot on.

[@corikk]

Thank you so much for this! I'm starting to make my first pair of pants and am just so overwhelmed with all the adjustments and measurements and after watching this I cannot wait to take another crack at it. This is everything I was looking for!

[@gayprendergast7102]

Great fit. Thank you

[@carolmarlatt3834]

Great video!! Thanks for sharing.

[@costumeink147]

oh wow! your stitches are just beautiful!

[@johannarosenfield3254]

How amazing! I’m glad you made this video because it helps me see the process so clearly!. Thanks!

[@lesw3803]

What a great video! Wish I could save it. Thanks for sharing your fitting journey with us

[@christinerodriguez6729]

Just found your channel and I love how you explain things. I will be incorporating your mock up ideas in my next pant project. BTW, loved your pattern weights made out of fruit 😂

[@jackseve]

OMG I’m glad I found you. The struggles you have with pants are mine with so many pairs of pants. Tight front and huge back. I’m glad you did this. The fit issues you experienced are mine.

[@monstersmomma8594]

Wow! This was so helpful!! It’s great to see all the things that didn’t work and why.

[@disneywithus90]

Oh yeah that was a good video on fitting. I can totally see how the one leg approach helps. I’m very proud of you for seeing it through and I hope you share any future adjustments as well.

[@janineboucher9971]

That top stitching 😍 and your final pants look amazing on. I am so pleased how positively you talk about your mock up and how your next pair of pants will be an even better fit. Think I will try this "top down centre out" method on my next pair of trousers.

[@LindaH69]

Really enjoyed watching your video. Slacks look nice. I have been watching other videos and when I will also to start with the Top Down Center out method.

[@ema2761]

This is realy helpful..thank you

[@tamisonrose1837]

Thank you so much for sharing honestly the frustration as well as the process. I, too, have mock-ups galore, and, at this point, ZERO new pairs of pants to show for it! I’ve given up so many times (usually, just long enough to forget where I was in the process and have to start again😡). I’m hoping this time, I can make it through!

[@kle1701]

Thanks sew much for sharing your journey! One thing I truly appreciate is the time stamps you put in showing how much time you have invested! Wow! It makes me realize I am not alone in the insane amounts of time I have spent trying to get my patterns to work for me. I’m getting ready to try TDCO soon. In preparation I have watched a series by The Crooked Hem where she goes over an abbreviated explanation of the process from choosing sizes to pattern creation to final product. Very informative! Hearing you recommend trying this method gives me twice as much confidence that I can’t actually see some pants that fit! Thanks again for sharing your journey!

[@vernabohnert635]

Good video, I’ve been struggling with pants for years! I will now try this way of fitting. Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@yvettefeyjoo-booth2670]

Just found your channel and I completely understand! I have lots of patterns for pants but they just sit there because I’m too afraid to start them lol! Thank you for your honesty and look forward to more videos from you especially if I can one day actually lose the fear and sew pants.

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

You can do it!!! Let me know how your next pants project goes, I would love to hear from you about how it went ☺️. Thanks for watching!

[@aidavillegas8052]

Beautiful top stitching!

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

Thank you! 😊 Love a good top stitch

[@MalwinaKunc]

Thank you so much for this video! I am about to finish my first pair of pants but I am not entirely happy with the fit. Now I have more knowledge and feel more confident to start my next project. Also thank you for book recommendation. I know what I have to buy now. ❤️

[@julierezac5307]

bless you. I feel your pain and have been there myself (though without every making a decent pair of pants) I'll try the new method next time I have a week to blow!

[@irenelovelyasusual8035]

This is wonderful. Thank you for your commitment to the pattern adjustments and to teaching us. BTW, have you tried the Liv pants by Mood fabrics? The pattern is beautiful! I didn’t have to make any changes to the pattern. They look great

[@karenkingsley846]

Thank you, I’ve learnt so much watching this😀

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

You're so welcome, thanks for watching Karen!

[@christinaastreha]

thnak you for doing this.i like how it happenned that u used apples for weights and enjoy your cats in it (i don't think i would).i learned a lot and your intend and energy helped my career life so my life in general,thanks for explaining and sharing sources of knowledge thoughts and this experience ,i trully had a nice time with this video and showed me again that the nature of constructing draws me with all its clever tricks

[@queenretiadivalicious8356]

Thanks for the info😍😃😍

[@piraipirai73]

thank you for putting in all this work and documenting it for us! I hope it will help me in the future, if/when i get around to sewing my first pair of pants :)

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

You're welcome Pirai! Please come back and let me know how your project goes

[@von186]

i can relate to your pants woes so much. i have made so many pants.. i can't even recall how many now, and none of them ever leave the mockup stage because i just can't get the fit right. i also am short torsoed with a bigger ponch than you've got, and a sway back as well. i've never thought about really getting the wasteband down before i start doing anything else (i've been using the real pants for real people method, but i think maybe just using an elastic to hold everything up is not working, that the entire wasteband being present may be a better idea), so i'm gonna try that method and hope i get results like you did. here's to hope haha

[@rosac8168]

Great job! This is my problem exactly I will def try this thank you so much for taking the time to do this 👍

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

Let me know how it goes!

[@deidrabenson361]

Thanks sooo much for sharing your experience! Your pants turned out really nice! ❤️

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

you're welcome Deidra and thank you so much!

[@gdhhayes2129]

what I learned is I now need to search out the top-down method to actually learn practical applications for my personal sewing. I thought I was going to learn the techniques for fitting here, but alas what I learned herein is that you figured it out for your projects, (I'm happy for you in that) but I did not learn any technique to apply to my own fitting issues. In my opinion, your final project looks very nice on you insomuch I see no actual need to tweak it as it's very flattering.

[@Densewl]

Thank you for a great video! I've watched several Top Down Centre Out videos, but it's so helpful to see someone who's new to the process do it from scratch. This is definitely on my 'To Try' list, as I'm terrified of trying to sew pants.

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

Don't be terrified!! Try first on less expensive fabric. No way to gain confidence other than to play around and try. Find the inner child in you and just have fun!!

[@Joani161]

My pants used to be too high in the front and low in the back. This gal who was teaching fitting said I needed more "sit in room" but her way of doing it ruined the fit. I had a higher bum. She scooped the crotch. I applaud your efforts, I would not dare to try, I wouldn't know where to begin. Nice out come!

[@SewingDee]

I really admire your patience and persistence to get a great fit - these look amazing on you and it was definitely worth the effort. I have a similar style pattern to fit and I will definitely be using your video to help me fit them. Thank you so much. Happy sewing 🧵 😊 🧵

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

LOTS of patience!! :) Thank you so much for this comment, I would love to hear about your final product when you're done! Come back here to this comment and update me :)

[@isabellefischer5145]

Very nice job! I learned a lot, and will have to look up the top down center out method. One thing I can tell you that might help you in the future, is that, like mine, your body has an anterior pelvic tilt. That means that no, you don't have a sway back - your whole pelvis is tilted to the front. What does that mean? It means that in my sewing, I've figured out it is easier to follow your body to determine the sideseam, and to forget about it having to be perpendicular to the floor. It's like fitting the tower of Pisa - if you try to work with horizontals and verticals, you'll have a lot of trouble. But if you allow for the sideseam to be slightly off the vertical, you have a much easier job getting the pattern to fit the tower. I'm not sure if I manage to really explain - but I hope this helps...

[@melaniemonti8115]

Alexandra Morgan at In House Patterns is a fashion designer who has made numerous videos about fitting patterns to our body. These are excellent and you will learn so much and gain an understanding of how and why to alter your patterns.

[@beverlyrund8488]

Thank you! I have also had these frustrations and plan to begin working the TDCO method later this week. You give me hope!😊

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

Woohoo!! Please come back and let me know how it goes!

[@donnawoods442]

TheCrookedHem on YT has an excellent series!

[@imdivyamenon]

this might work for you too - I use one of those bendy rulers to press against my crotch and gently, gently!! remove it from my body and trace onto the paper. I use the U shape and measurement it provides for the front and back dip together to true up commercial patterns

[@KaHo2211]

I have the same problem with that little bit of bagginess in the back under the butt. I think I'll try to lower the waistband in the back to see if it will pull some of that bagginess up. All the rest of the problems you described I share with you. Our body type is almost exactly the same. It's comforting to know that I'm not the only one who is constantly frustrated by ill-fitting pants. (Sigh!) Maybe I'll just go with skirts instead!?

[@cherylharris5695]

I'm glad you showed all the flaws in your work.

[@queeneywarren9474]

I have got a lot of stretchy jeans and shorts I have sewed them up twice it still won't too slide down do you think I need to put a elastic on it do you have a video on how to do that

[@vickiharrison3067]

Thank you for the great video. They do look great. I must say I have topstitch envy! Now that you have a fitting pant, how will you use it for other patterns/styles? Do you overlay the top portion? I would love to see your next steps. Hopefully you won’t have the same time investment for future pants. Cheers, from an equally non pant sewer with fears! 😂

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

I love that you appreciate the topstitching :) easily my favorite part. I'll probably utilize my textbook called "patternmaking for fashion design" by Helen Joseph Armstrong and manipulate the block to make future patterns. Highly recommend that book.

[@marlenede-abel1336]

Should have also mentioned your pants look great and I love the colour!,

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

Thank you so much Marlene!

[@slpiazza]

I have a sway back, I have to make an adjustment for it on most patterns.

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

I still can't tell if I technically have a sway back. Would you say I do? Curious what you think since you have one.

[@lauraweis]

When doing a mockup, what steps can you eliminate i.e. zipper, pocket and lining, interfacing? Or do you do all?

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

When doing the Top Down Center Out method I did not do a zipper, no pockets, no lining, no interfacing, no hem.. very very rough. I did a waistband simply to keep the single leg on me.

[@stillhuntre55]

This actually might work for me! I basically have no bum, I have quite a tummy, and the smallest point of my torso ("natural waist") is about an inch below my bra band. All my pants fit badly. I'm going to try this!

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

let me know how it goes!!

[@helenm3133]

sounds like me, I have a short torso (some folks call it high-waisted). I'm new to sewing so have no advice, but from everything I've read about short-waistedness, we should opt for mid-rise pants, never high-waisted ones. Unfortunately. One day I'll get brave enough to sew up a pair of pants.

[@melissasweeting-percentie6679]

well tailored

[@valeriemeare5333]

You have such a lovely figure but still have issues with pant fitting. I am working on a stretch jean pattern and looking for tips on adjusting the crotch curve. The top down centre out method looks interesting. I will try.

[@Joani161]

Your kitty made a photo bomb first one back on kitchen counter. 😸2 kitties and of course you put things just to lay on and just for there benifit. lol. I love cats.

[@lauras6736]

What's that book you're referencing around 9:30? Thanks!

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

Dress Making for Real Women by Lorna Knight Elsewhere in the video I also used: Patternmaking for Fashion Design by Helen Joseph Armstrong

[@dianarutecki9810]

I cannot perfect it too. Let’s hope this work s

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

Sending all the good luck vibes!

[@CWU_ATM]

What book were you using?

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

1. Dress Making for Real Women by Lorna Knight 2. Patternmaking for Fashion Design by Helen Joseph Armstrong

[@danukool]

i know ima year late but when you have back drag lines at the hips squeeze both sides seams in at the hips and tighten up the fit under the buttocks this always work for me when you move the balance of the pants in example move in the crotch/inseam you create more problems so just take in the sides and drop crotch half inch and extend back seat seam think of this drag lines = too much fabric wrinkles =not enough fabric

[@marissacgold]

nice math!!!!!

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

haha thanks!!

[@marlenede-abel1336]

Thank you for this - I am also trying to understand the top down centre method. Would you mind letting me know the name of the sewing pattern company your pants pattern comes from.

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

The pattern is from THIS IS KACHI on etsy! The link to the pattern is in the description box for this vid :)

[@hakapelika7024]

Who else smirks when they hear about 3D printing?

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

I'd LOVE to get a 3D scan of myself with all the intricate measurements I need :)

[@halfawake6706]

11:48

[@selvaterry]

NO ENTIENDO NADA NADA

[@Propfaqs]

Shouldn’t you draw hip, thigh lines to maintain them parallel to the floor? Otherwise, the side seam adjustments tilt forward or back too much and adjustments need to be made to the crotch and thigh seams, keeping those lines straight.

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

I'm no expert - I believe for the most part, yes but I believe some unique bodies can stray from this rule ever so slightly.

[@dozergetscrafty]

I dont think you need to with top down center out method.

[@waggdoah7274]

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[@earthangellibra2925]

What is it with cats and patterns 😂

[@zo1820]

Wow so glad you did this video. I totally understand there are sooo many methods and I always wondered the same…is it the best method?🤣I’ve avoided pants for many years and I’ve decided to conquer those fears🤣with the top down center out method…one help I found for my body type which is like yours (only bigger🫤)is making the curve shallower (near the bottom )on the front (to accommodate a flat pubic bone?) I saw on Kathleen Cheethams’ class on Craftsy. I’m not a plus size in ready to wear but her alterations made sense. It’s hard to know which alteration solved the puzzle unless you do them one at a time😮 hence the 6 muslins😂great job!!!

[@astoldbybrittany4342]

I will look up Kathleen's class, thanks so much for the recommendation! yes 6 MUSLINS OMGGG so much work. But lots to be learned so I'm ok with it! Thanks for watching