thank goodness I made a muslin
The StyleARC Elle pant. Size 10. Stretch twill or similar from Darn Cheap Fabrics for just $2 per metre. Thankfully. This is muslin #1.
Not horrendous from the front. The Elle pant is described as slim line from ankle to waistline, which it is, and it has an elasticised flat waistband. The recommended fabric is stretch gabardine, which I unfortunately didn’t use. My fabric is a little heavier in weight, but is just as stretchy as stretch gabardine. Which is a good thing, because check out the back view.
Um. Ahem. Skin tight across my booty, and lots of weird folds between the hip and the knee. I do have to say thought that they are actually quite comfortable – once I’ve wriggled into them.
So now I’m trying to figure out the next step in altering these to fit my shape. Because I have to say, the actual pattern is BRILLIANT. It went together beautifully in record quick time, with each piece fitting to one another exactly as it should. However, I have a different shape to the pants! They’re not too bad from the front; it’s that back view that concerns me. Brace yourselves and let’s have another look:
Okay, thoughts. So far I think that I will:
- cut the back pieces larger through the bottom and waist (I possibly should have bought size 12 but measured in between sizes and often wear size 8 or 10 in pants/jeans from the shops)
- keep the crotch depth as it is
- take in the back pieces a little from the hip to the knee
- use a lighter weight fabric for muslin #2.
Other thoughts are welcomed! I’d really like to work out how to make this one fit me well – I know that once it does I’d use this pattern a lot.
And yes, I’ll probably still wear these. With very long tops. Hubby thought that they looked okay (?!?!?!?!?!)
hehe having just zoomed in on your bottom I don’t think they’re that bad either – if you had a top that came down a bit lower (but not completely covering your bum) I bet most people wouldn’t even notice they’re tight. As long as you won’t split the seam, but bring stretchy they’d probably loosen with wear.
I would head over to Colette Patterns and look at her pants fitting ‘cheat sheet’ (http://www.coletterie.com/sewalongs/the-colette-patterns-pants-fitting-cheatsheet).
Sarai is definitely the queen when it comes to fitting patterns. Have a look back through her blog where she shows you how to fit her ‘Clover’ pants which are not unlike yours.
To be honest, I think they look OK and certainly fine for a wearable muslin but I think the point of making pants is to get the fit perfect! Good luck.
Not bad for a toile (can’t bring myself to say “muslin”), and highly wearable with a long top!
I’m looking forward to seeing the next incarnation. I’m also interested in trying on your toile #1. Judging on the difference in our weight distribution (I reckon my thighs would fill out those leg wrinkles!) it may be a good pants pattern for me. It’d be good to “try before I buy” to get the sizing right.
Those Style Arc gals know what they’re doing.
haha, you crack me up! ‘brace yourself’ and your hubbies comment have left me chucklin’! Def agree with wearable with a long top, I actually don’t like the colour not the fit! I know you’ll sort it out, clever woman!
Great first attempt with a toile – the next pair are going to be wonderful 😉 I really like the green colour on you. Did you make the top too? Can you tell me which pattern you used for it ??