The other day, I noticed that I was down to 2 pair of pants I could wear out in public (ok, and that fit) since I did a number on one pair recently and I've put on a little weight lately.
I have NO CONFIDENCE whatsoever in my ability to make a new pair of pants at this time so...
I bought 2 pair & got one free from Catherine's the other day. They had to drop ship the exact pairs though since they didn't have my size & color in the store.
They said no charge for the shipping and it was a pretty good deal so I got them.
Now, I'm not totally dismayed because of a recent find at a used book store (they had a buy one, get one free sale too!). I bought something called "Pants for Any Body" and it looks dy-no-mite!
Cover of the book
Check out what they write in the introduction...
Our first edition of Pants for Any Body emphasized measuring as a way to achieve perfect fit. Then we found that the only measurements people could accurately take on themselves were length and width -- crotch measurements were virtually impossible. Since then in our nationwide seminars we've fitted over 50,000 people in pants made from a commercial pattern in 1/4" gingham checked fabric. Gingham takes away all the guesswork! So, in our revised Pants for Any Body, we strongly emphasized this easier, more accurate gingham method and practically no measuring!
[my note: why not find your favorite fit in the inseam, take the pants off and use a tape measure to find the length - mine is 29"?]
They go on:
Our pant fitting philosophy is different than most:
1. We use commercial patterns rather than teaching you to draft your own. After all, patterns are one of the least expensive ingredients in sewing pants, and the most time consuming to create yourself. All the major pattern companies use a "sloper" or master pattern to develop their designs and all are similar in shape. We'll teach you how to find out where your body varies from commercial patterns and how to make alterations to compensate for those differences. You will then have to make those alterations on ANY PATTERN YOU SEW. Your full tummy doesn't go away just because you switched from a Butterick to a McCalls' pattern!
2. We don't promise you a perfect pattern that you can cut, sew and wear without ever trying on. That's impossible unless you never fluctuate one ounce in weight, never make a cutting error (1/8" error times 8 seam allowances around a pant can make each pair 1" different in size), and always use exactly the same fabric (every fabric fits differently). You can, however, alter a pattern to be close to your size and shape and then use our Fit-As-You-SewTM system to create PERFECT PANTS.
3. You can use ANY fabric with ANY pattern. You don't need a special pattern for knits and another for woven fabrics. Using our same Fit-As-You-SewTM system, you can get good fit with any fabric.
4. A great looking pant goes beyond good fit! It is also selecting the best style for your figure, the best fabric for that style, and sewing beautiful pant details. Pockets that gap, zippers that pucker, and pleats that pooch all detract from good fit. We think choosing the right pattern, fabric, and sewing techniques together form the "great pants package deal." We'll even share some of our favorite tips for fast pant sewing -- how about "Great Pants in 3 Hours"!!
After fitting 50,000 bodies, we know we can fit pants to ANY body -- even yours!
Doesn't that sound divine?
Besides, I can't WEAR the new pants until I launder them... and laundry day is Wednesday!
;)
Have YOU had any clothing adventures lately? How about great finds? Why not share?
Pam Hoffman
"Pants for Any Body" is by Pati Palmer & Susan Pletsch Revised expanded edition copyright 1982 I can provide more information from the book if you would like, just leave your request in the comments!
