Never Measure Crotch Length???

[@kimhandy1861]

Thanks for the encouragement and excellent tips concerning the top down center out method! I've not been sewing clothes lately but I'd really like to try this method.

[@JSternDesigns]

:) Thanks so much, and I'm excited for you to give it a try!

[@donnadecourcy7332]

A timely video for me. I ride fitting the Mitchell trousers but felt he facing and pleat interfered with a first try. Today I worked on a fitting waist band and will make a simpler pant muslin. All your fitting tips will give me the patience to shift and observe with small changes at a time. Thank you for this.

[@JSternDesigns]

Yay, I'm so happy you're working on your pants. You can use a facing like a fitted waistband. I also think the pleat should not "get in the way", it's part of the design of the pants. You can sew the pleat down so it's not open right near the top of the waistline ...making it easier to work with as you fit!

[@robynnbryar1977]

Hsve you done a video on how to set up a 2 mirror system? What angles are needed and how far a part the mirrors need to be? What we need to consider when planning where to set it up???

[@JSternDesigns]

:) I haven't done a video on this topic... But basically what you want to have is one full length mirror & a second mirror that can be almost any size. look in one mirror and position the second mirror at a slight angle behind you (approximately 3-4 feet away from you) ... The second mirror won't be right behind you, it will need to be positioned at an angle to the side a little bit.... Play with the location until you can see your front/back without twisting around to see) Hope this helps, Thanks for watching

[@victoriahannah1633]

Newbie here sucked big time with TDCO my first try also. I’m just trying the one leg method & pinning it to fit. I learned this off another KZbin video & it has helped so much. If you don’t have a good mirror set up then use your camera on your phone to take pictures. Do front, back & side views. Also do videos of yourself moving around. Take pictures of yourself with phone facing backwards. They come out much clearer. It does take some practice but can be done. I do a quick look in mirror but totally love the camera way. No more trying to get mirrors just right and no more neck twisting. Then you can really study the pictures of your muslin or the real thing to make improvements.

[@JSternDesigns]

I'm so excited that you're trying TDCO! I'm guessing you probably learned how watching the Amazing Crooked Hem tutorials. Thank you for the tips if you don't have a two mirror set-up... I love the idea of video... that way you can see the fit and the movement of the fabric thank you for sharing that!

[@GewoonelsJustels]

This is so helpful! I have lost a lot of weight and have come down three sizes. And before I start making your pants I want to adjust these because I might lose more weight.

[@JSternDesigns]

So happy to hear!! Thanks for fitting along with me & Happy Holidays!

[@jadejones6512]

Thank you for explaining this because I lost 15 points on my final garment project because the fitting of my finished garment was to big.

[@JSternDesigns]

So happy this helps you!! Good luck on your future projects and thanks for following along with me

[@libbybennett3067]

I'm loving watching your pants video. Alot of great information. You explain things very well Jennifer. I don't think I'm ready to make pants yet. But when l am l will give the TDCO method a try.

[@JSternDesigns]

I'm so happy to hear that! ...I'm excited for you to try it!

[@Queenread82]

So this is why I still couldn’t get a good fit even after measuring front, rear, complete measurements. Thank you Julie

[@JSternDesigns]

:) I had high hopes of using the crotch curve measurement to make great fitting pants too! Thanks for watching

[@Oonagh72]

I just watched your flat/low but video. I was curious about measurements, and looked up a chart. I realized no one considers waist to butt curve, butt curve to ankle, crotch to butt curve, or crotch to knee. I have long thighs so my knee isn’t going to be in the same place for a flare or boot cut. This has just been so fascinating learning all of this.

[@JSternDesigns]

:) The good news about drape fitting pants from a separate waistband is that if you add length above the waistline, you have room to adjust the CF/CB up and down until the pant leg hangs smoothly, so there's really no need to worry about your crotch measurements. The crotch to floor length can be fine-tuned after you finish fitting your pattern. The one thing you listed that I would adjust before cutting out your muslin is crotch to knee. If you're working with a pant style that is most narrow at the knee, getting that in the right spot is a good idea. Then if the final position of it moves after you fit at the waist, you can fine-tune it at the end.

[@Kera.S.]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I'm hoping to be able to start trying to sew garments, and for myself this time around. What patterns and/or items you sell do you suggest for a beginner. (with sewing experience just not sewing adult clothing)

[@JSternDesigns]

I'm so excited to hear that you want to start sewing garments!! Any of my Easy Fit & Sew Knit Garments are perfect for beginners! Here's a link to my online store so you can check them out. Personally, my favorite outfit is my Easy Fit & Sew Yoga Pants and the Raglan Sleeve Top. If you're not into yoga pants, my Pull On Knit Pants are really easy to work with. I also did a tutorial showing how to use the TDCO method to fit the leg! Online store: jsterndesigns.com/browse-all-designs/ & link to knit pants TDCO tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWOUfoVngJ2krdE

[@amysheridan4496]

Thanks for this video, it’s helpful to understand the fitting of the crotch, haven’t tried TDCO yet, but am going to soon! Curious how to handle a pant with a waist facing instead of a waistband.

[@JSternDesigns]

a waistband is equal to a facing. You can make a non-stretch facing and work from 1/2" at the top of the top edge (because that's where it sews together with the waistline) vs. 1/2" from the base of the waistband. Let me know if this makes sense!

[@amysheridan4496]

It does, thanks!

[@aribella6913]

Wow this makes perfect sense. Thanks so much.

[@JSternDesigns]

So happy this helps! Thanks for fitting along with me

[@LindaH69]

Should a special adjustment such as for a dropped seat be done to the paper pattern before cutting out toille and then using the top-down- center-out fitting technique?

[@JSternDesigns]

That's a great question! The TDCO method grades the pattern to you by picking different sizes at the side seam vs. the CB/Inseam. (Instead of grading between sizes on one line). Picking a larger size along CB/inseam will lower the crotch curve and accommodate your shape. Another example is... I usually pick a bigger side seam size for my tummy measurement and a smaller size for my smaller low hip and upper thighs. Thanks for fitting along with me

[@LindaH69]

Thank you!

[@sarahforrester6421]

I find the velcro idea brilliant. Thank you for your genuis tip. Why not also use velco in the center front? Also, would it be useful to cover the velco located at the midpoint between center front and center back and the side seam with tape while initially fitting the crotch curve? Thanks.

[@JSternDesigns]

Hi Sarah Thanks so much!! I do put velcro at the CF sometimes :) If the velcro at the center of your front and back leg is causing in issue with adjusting the vertical height of the CF/CB, covering it with tape is a great idea! I think this might be useful for smaller sizes... I'm a size 14-16 and the velcro is far enough away from the center and side edges of the muslin and doesn't cause an issue. ...Thanks for the tip and for fitting along with me~

[@benitaschachter4630]

Hi Jennifer. Thank you so much for doing this deep dive! I am learning so much from this series. If you do TDCO and get the muslin looking good and everything is hanging straight but find the crotch is too low, do you bring it up by taking a fold above the hip line? If you bring the crotch up by adjusting the waist, it seems that everything else gets pulled up and there will be more adjustments in the darts and the side seams.

[@JSternDesigns]

That' is the great debate! Using TDCO method, after you've achieved the fit you are happy with, you should be able to pick up the excess length at the waistline so you don't have to slash and overlap your pattern piece when you transfer the adjustment to you paper pattern. This may require lengthen the dart and taking in the side seam at the waistline, but it might prevent boo boos when you true up your pattern. But if that does not work for you, you can take up the extra vertical length at the full hip line.... just be careful to true everything up accurately. Hope this helps! Thank you for fitting along with me.

[@kellysummers9088]

Thanks for this video! I'm really going down the TDCO rabbit hole lately, and seeing/hearing it explained in different ways has been helpful! So if I am particularly short waisted (needing to shorten crotch depth in standard pattern adjusting), this approach solves that by simply pulling the excess up above the waistband? Essentially, just changing the attachment location of the pant with the waistband, instead of needing to shorten lower (between the waist and hip) on the front/back pattern pieces?

[@JSternDesigns]

Yes!!! Fit your waistband around you first. When you have it where you like to wear your pants, it provides the perfect anchor to hang your pants from. If you know you need to shorten both the front and back rise on your pants, you may not need to add as much above the waistline. Then working with a single leg muslin, you can adjust the CF/CB waistline to get the inseam to get the crotch, inseam and hem to hang properly. After you balance the front/back leg, you may need to adjust the position of the front and or back crotch curves using traditional pants fitting adjustments, but I've found starting with TDCO reduces or eliminates the amount of adjustments you may need!

[@kellysummers9088]

@@JSternDesigns Well, scooping and trying to re-draw the crotch curve for my shorter crotch depth but long back crotch curve (not to mention "flat pubis") has been a frustrating journey, so my TDCO muslin experiment is starting today! I also watched your video on choosing different sizes for different seamlines. Mind bown! I think I'll need a larger size on the crotch seam to accommodate a longer CB. Any tips on choosing the correct size there, since it is independent of the hip circumference measurement?

[@dotware1]

Jennifer, can you use the top down center out for jeans? Since they are more fitted and you have a yoke on the back how would you do that? Thank you so much for all of your informative videos.

[@JSternDesigns]

You can use TDCO to fit jeans. We used this method to fit jeans when I was in Jacksonville Fl teaching a hands on workshop. If you join my private facebook group, you can see a two examples of jeans fit in this workshop posted by two of my students. facebook.com/groups/2844012669147142 Working with snugger patterns is more complicated than just working with the 5 steps of TDCO... But the first 5 steps gets you really close! I wasn't sure about what to do about the yoke, so I added half the extra added above the front waistline to the top of the yoke and half above the back waistline. That way I could play with the position of the back yoke vertically. I will be sharing more about this as I perfect my process with jeans :)

[@craigelliott7582]

HI!!! Iam learning so much about sewing and patterns and fitting from you thankyou so much you're amazing!!!! I have a question. Could you please make a video about fitting the crotch area on a man?!?! A breast needs room and is considered in the design!!!! I cannot figure out how to give myself enough room in the crotch area without it distorting everywhere else. To be blunt, if a man had a large penis and large testicles but a small (but ample) butt you need room in front and in the middle BUT fitted in the back!!!! One does not cram a double D breast in a flat front shirt and should not be restricted to only XL clothing sizes to accommodate a large breast!!!!!! PLEASE, can you help me with this? There are no videos on youtube about mens crotches if you can believe it!!!! Also I don't want wide loose fitted pants. A. nice fitted pant with breathing room in the front crotch and centre. There has to be options no?

[@JSternDesigns]

:))) I have a man jean pattern in the works... After watching my husband in his new Levi's with a crotch curve that hangs halfway down to his knees, I'm really motivated to make him jeans and test the pattern. Stay Tuned! 2023 will be the year of Man Jeans (as well as new pants for women)!! Thanks for watching

[@annettemay6952]

Thank you Jennifer for this very helpful video about crotch length and TDCO fitting 😊

[@JSternDesigns]

I'm so happy this was helpful! Thanks for watching

[@danaventura5998]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[@JSternDesigns]

Glad you enjoyed it Thanks for watching

[@vicki3220]

Hi Jennifer. We missed you. Please don’t skip our Fridays. 😄

[@JSternDesigns]

Awww I miss you too on weeks I can't do Fab Fit Friday!! I think the next time I'm teaching on a Friday is Jan 20, 2023... So, I think I'll see you every Friday between now and then. Thank you so much for following along with me!

[@vicki3220]

@@JSternDesigns Great Jennifer! I have this ruler and always felt guilty that I am not using it. I am relieved to know that it is not that helpful after all. Thank you for the insight and all other great content that you provide.

[@deannafleck9241]

appreciate your guidance - helpful

[@JSternDesigns]

So happy to hear! Thanks for fitting along with me

[@clothingalterations]

Great video.

[@JSternDesigns]

Thanks so much! ...and thanks for fitting along with me

[@mcrogerr0ck]

Weird, no audio.

[@JSternDesigns]

I'm so sorry, not sure why you can't hear it... Is your volume turned up all the way?

[@dcwatashi]

Oh I cannot follow this lady and her directions I’m going to have to go back to either Judy kessinger of fit nice systems or Glenda Sparling of sure fit designs. I don’t know how you can sit there and talk about some thing without showing or demonstrating these scenarios

[@JSternDesigns]

So sorry to hear that you can't follow along with me... But you're right, you can go back to Judy or Glenda, both wonderful fitting teachers. Good Luck.