How I Make Great Fitting Trousers

[@momzilla9491]

This was a great demonstration of how to mimic the crotch curve and apply that curve to the pattern. Applying that curve to the pattern is what I didn't know how to do, even though I bought an extra long flexible ruler. Thank you! Tip on how to use the ruler 1. Mold to body then immediately drop it onto the floor and let it sit undisturbed for 10 minutes to cool down. Otherwise it is like working with a cooked noodle! Rule= Heat forgets/Cool remembers!

[@LostMyThread]

That is fascinating! I do need to invest in one of those. Thank you so much for your tip!

[@craftygirl1964]

Thank you for the comprehensive explanation of your fitting process - pants are something I haven’t tried as of yet - even after years of sewing (40+) the challenge of fitting my shape is daunting.

[@LostMyThread]

I absolutely understand. It certainly wasn't something that I felt too confident going into, but it's very satisfying when you find a method that works for you. I'm glad that you enjoyed hearing about my process!

[@sewsarahstitch]

I was fascinated by this, having just made some trousers and knowing the fit could be slightly better. I have never thought of using a foil sausage before but I’m going to try now! Thank you 😊

[@LostMyThread]

Awesome-I'd be really interested to hear how it works for you. It's made my pants fitting feel a lot less like guesswork!

[@Sloths.and.Orchids]

Love this!! Thank you for taking your time to show your technique.. I really must need to do this next time I make woven pants! Such a brilliant explanation that makes it look so easy 💖😍🤩

[@LostMyThread]

Aww, that's so nice to hear, Alisa! Let me know if you try it out and how it works for you. I'd never make woven pants without this method anymore!

[@jencook8752]

Thank you so much for this !!! I FINALLY got a big 4 pants pattern to fit !!

[@LostMyThread]

That's awesome to hear! I'm so glad that it worked well for you!

[@sewamelia]

Such a helpful video! I am going to try the Dawn jeans but was worried about fitting them. The crotch sausage will be so helpful!

[@LostMyThread]

Awesome! I really hope it helps you nail it!!

[@ljiljanaavramovic2460]

Wow thank you so much, inches confused me 😅 but I am grateful for you take your time and explain it to the details. I'm going to try it for sure because I struggle with fitting trousers, thanks again 😊

[@LostMyThread]

That's great to hear - thank you for the feedback!

[@SewNotes]

Thanks for taking us through the process, I really enjoyed it!!

[@LostMyThread]

Thank you so much, Kris! I wasn't sure if it might be a little dry, but I know that I enjoy watching how other sewists work!

[@christinetangeman624]

Thank you for this informative video. It will help me tremendously to make better fitting trousers with my sway back. Regards Christine 🙋‍♀️🇦🇺👍🏻👌👖

[@LostMyThread]

That's wonderful to hear! Our bodies are complicated to fit, but it's great if the lessons I've learned so far can help someone else!

[@MarieMadeThis]

Excellent explanation - I am definitely going to use the foil sausage method next time. Thanks for making the video!

[@LostMyThread]

Thank you so much, Marie! I'd love to hear how it works out for you!

[@MichelleSewsAgain]

I have so far to go in learning how to fit pants! This was super helpful. Thanks so much for sharing :)

[@LostMyThread]

I hear you, Michelle-I feel the same way! I think it's worth sharing what we learn because you never know what's going to be helpful for someone else. I'm really glad to hear that it might have helped you!

[@SparkyOne549]

I use pipe cleaners in the foil to keep the shape, because with foil alone, it kept losing the shape. I do the slash method to pivot it to where I need more. My back is 3.5” longer than the front, guess I have a long butt lol So the max for slashing is 2” so I slash and pivot 2”, the new crotch rise adds the rest. Its weird people tell me I don’t have an ass, but when I used the foil, I have a dropped butt lol Funny how store bought don’t need any adjustments at all.

[@LostMyThread]

It's so interesting how different our bodies can be than our perception! It certainly explains why our bodies won't just fit into any old pair of pants that are designed for our hip and waist measurements. The pipe cleaners sound like such a good idea! I'm going to make myself a more permanent version by tracing it onto some poster board/card and marking some points for reference. It's the closest I can get to a 3D mockup!

[@SparkyOne549]

@@LostMyThread Good idea on the poster board. I even thought of making a plaster cast around me from low hip up to waist but too much work.

[@LostMyThread]

@@SparkyOne549 not a bad idea, but storage would also be tricky! The things we do to get the right fit... 😂

[@SparkyOne549]

@@LostMyThread LOL. My husband is a woodworker, he doesn’t go through anything like us seamstresses do. He doesn’t test out ( make muslins) a “how to build” he just builds.

[@katehampshire8410]

Really interesting. I want to go and make trousers straight away to try this out on my body. Thank you!

[@LostMyThread]

Wow, that's so cool to hear! I'd love to hear how it works for you. I find it so interesting to compare my own crotch curve to different patterns. It's not even consistent with one pattern company, so no surprises that they don't fit right straight away!

[@jounderhill6913]

Thank you for this! It was so thorough but simple. I may be brave enough to have a go myself…💜

[@LostMyThread]

You're welcome! Let me know if you try it and how it works out!

[@craftymystic4868]

Thanks! I always use a pen to trace the “matching” grainline, extending it across the paper underneath. I’ve found my hands or the ruler can slip too easily, so aligning the second piece is without the ruler, but line to line. Hope that makes sense! Love the sausage idea.

[@LostMyThread]

That makes perfect sense and sounds like a great way to make sure that you maintain a perfect grainline!

[@jacquiehonnor4989]

Thank you ,this is so helpful for me. I’ve been sewing a very long time but still struggle with getting the fit right on trousers. I’m about to make up a toile for the lander pants. Making shorts first in bed sheets lol. Your video will help me a great deal 💖

[@LostMyThread]

I really hope that this method works well for you! There are definitely lots of ways to get the fit right, but I find this to be a good starting point for me!

[@janetboxall9708]

Fascinating and expertly explained! 😊👏

[@LostMyThread]

Thanks Janet! Fitting a 3D human is complicated!!

[@ptoste1]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. 👌👏👏👏🤩🤩🤩So cool! I’m going to use this method because I’m struggling with the crouch area because I’m petite 😂😂😂😂

[@LostMyThread]

You're so welcome! I hope it works out for you!

[@AndraMakes]

Fascinating, Theresa! 💜

[@LostMyThread]

Thanks, Andra! Are there any methods you use when fitting pants?

[@AndraMakes]

@@LostMyThread So far, I’ve only had to add length to the inseam. I also added length to the rise of my Yantas. So, nothing too technical, thank goodness! But, I know who to face-time if/when I need to do make more technical adjustments! 😉💜

[@LostMyThread]

@@AndraMakes haha! Always happy for a chat, but I'm probably not terribly helpful unless you're having the exact fitting issues that I have! It's seriously complicated fitting our lower bodies. Hooray for skirts! 😘

[@nancynewman6592]

I have cut out a pair of capris to try this... however I used my curve line as the sewing line and added a seam allowance. I noticed you used it as a cutting line, and I am interested to see the difference of fit between the 2 styles of adjustments. My curve turned out to be nowhere close to the pattern, so I hope this will help me, as I try toile #5 😳😂

[@LostMyThread]

That's a really good point, and I did use it as my cutting line. I don't think that the foil holds it shape well enough to use it as a guide for the whole line of the pattern piece, but more as a guide for the shape of the curve. The final pants turned out to fit well, but it's always worth doing a baste fit to be on the safe side! I am hopeful for you that it will work better for your next trial-let me know how it goes!!

[@monikawidensky8815]

Very informative vlog. Thanks a lot!

[@LostMyThread]

You're very welcome! It was a bit different from my usual videos, so it's good to hear that it was useful!

[@MyMagpie]

Hi - Great tutorial!! I understood everything except… If i cut out the shape of the sausage for my butt, am I not making the pants too small? I scrolled through the comments but everyone else seems to understand perfectly. It’s just me. Ack!!!

[@LostMyThread]

It's only to help with the shape of the crotch. I wouldn't cut to fit - just consider changing the shape of the pattern if it's very different.

[@leoniefryer4238]

Thank you sooo much. This method is really helpful 😊

[@LostMyThread]

That's so great to hear! You're so welcome!

[@janfranklin2114]

Thank you, can you put the link to your ko-fi account. I’m appreciate your hard work in documenting and helping us all achieve a better fit.

[@LostMyThread]

You are so incredibly kind to say that. Thank you! I might have created the Ko-fi account after I made this video, but I'll add the link in, now. 💞

[@Handbagqueen23]

This was really helpful thank you

[@LostMyThread]

That's great to hear, thanks!

[@dustycarter2729]

Enjoyed your video, made pants years ago when I was pretty skinny. I now have 37” hips but 33” plus waist so may find it more difficult now. May give it a go after watching your videos. I don’t know this make of pattern, as it’s a digital pattern could I order from UK do you think?

[@LostMyThread]

I hope it works out for you! You can either order the PDF directly from Closet Core (from anywhere in the world) or order the paper pattern from the Fold Line or other shops.

[@lorrainewhiting1267]

You are a joy. This was so useful, thank you.

[@LostMyThread]

That's so nice to hear, thank you!

[@bunnanah]

I think curving the top of the back center seam was a bad idea. Just because our butts are curvey doesn't mean the seam should be. Think about how a front bodice pattern's center line is straight and cut on a fold, even though it needs to accommodate a bust.

[@LostMyThread]

I definitely think there's more than one way to do anything. I find this to be a quicker fix, rather than redrafting the whole pants, but we've got to do what works for us. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, though. I absolutely understand what you mean!

[@bunnanah]

@@LostMyThread Ok but you say by scooping out the pattern "you're giving your bum more space" which is the opposite of what you're doing. You're actually removing fabric from the center to the side seam which makes it tighter around the hip line.

[@ShereeThomas30]

This was so helpful 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@LostMyThread]

Oh, yay! I'm really happy to hear that! Let me know if you give it a try. I know you've got a lot of pants making ahead of you this year!!

[@lindasue616]

Love this technique

[@LostMyThread]

So glad to hear it! I hope it works for you!

[@Sew_Learning]

Thank you so much! This is very helpful!

[@LostMyThread]

So happy to hear it!

[@maureengharrity9217]

Great technique and presentation \

[@LostMyThread]

Thank you! I'm glad to hear that it's helpful!

[@joanneblair2087]

Excellent information

[@LostMyThread]

So glad to hear that it was helpful!

[@aribella6913]

Great tips.

[@LostMyThread]

Thank you! Glad to hear it!

[@cjane51]

This was very helpful. Thanks

[@LostMyThread]

So glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

[@whatmandymadenext8120]

Thanks for this

[@LostMyThread]

You're very welcome! I hope it was helpful!!

[@anitalaff]

GENIUS!

[@LostMyThread]

Thanks! I hope the technique works well for you!

[@dustycarter2729]

By lengthening the crotch, won’t that put your hip line lower

[@LostMyThread]

It's true - so much of a pattern will get altered by small changes. Typically, I often find that the fullest part of a pattern is too high on my hip. I guess this is a nice bonus for me. I don't think any pattern is going to be perfect without alterations. I'd always make a muslin and adjust as needed!

[@geringergasse2]

I was happy with the butt adaption but unhappy that you accepted the fit of the front. You need to provide room for your belly so that the pockets don‘t spring open and the side seam isn‘t torn to the front.

[@LostMyThread]

I'm by no means an expert, but thanks for the feedback!

[@debrariley2057]

I actually think it’s the great lifelong search for a perfectly fitted pair of pants, trousers with bum creep are just awful.

[@LostMyThread]

Agreed. I'm still working on it with each subsequent pair!