Let me explain.
I wear pretty much 2 styles of pants. One, zipper fly-front jeans/capris. Two, semi- or fully elasticated pants/capris. That's it.
I have TNT patterns for each of these basic shapes, which I have tweaked and/or changed now and then to incorporate a few style change-ups like a back waist yoke, different pockets, and different hem widths. I spent a good amount of time over the years getting these patterns to TNT status. They are golden.
No new pants/jeans pattern has ever worked without altering the pattern to end up just like … wait for it … my TNT patterns. Some, like my recent success with the Hot Patterns Marrakesh pants, need fewer alterations to get there. But they ALL do need alterations. And they all end up as the same basic pattern.
So, WHY DO I KEEP TRYING NEW PANTS PATTERNS? Grrrr. ;-)
Well, part of my stubbornness is that I've gained a few pounds and my "old" jeans don't quite fit anymore and, hey, don't we all keep hoping that This One Will Be It - pants that fit with no alterations? Yeah. Well. Not gonna happen. Not for this girl anyway.
So, I'm punting on the Connie Crawford jeans and going back to one of my TNT patterns, tracing it and then slash/spreading to add more tummy room. Because that's really the only place that doesn't fit at the moment on my TNT jeans.
Besides, the CC jeans are just plain weird and the more I tried on the muslin and thought about what to do with it, the more frustrated I was getting.
First, there is a HUGE amount of ease in this pattern, so I would need to go down one, probably two sizes and start over. Seriously, I had to sew out over FOUR INCHES at the CB. That's not a "slight" adjustment.
Next, the back yoke is strange. The "point" of it hits *very* low (think "crack" of dawn here) and it's curvy (much curvier than the line drawing), which just makes my hip fluff look curvy in the wrong way. Neither of these would be a show-stopper because I don't tuck in, but they're still issues of weirdness.
Next, the front crotch curve is all wrong for me, and probably anyone else who is expecting, well, jeans from a jeans pattern. It's about 3-4" longer (wider) than my TNT pattern, and not a jeans crotch curve at all. I want my jeans to fit snug around the hips and tummy and to help "suck in" the gut, not make me look like I'm carrying a load of socks down there. (If you look at the plus size model on the Butterick site with this in mind, you'll see what I mean, except on me it was even worse.)
Finally, the legs are just too wide in the thigh area, which with my very full thighs tells you just how much ease there is in these. There is no way the model photograph of this pattern is from jeans sewn straight from the pattern. There is either some sneaky pinning/clamping (or Photoshopping) going on or the pattern was altered before it was sewn, to which I cry Foul!
So, I'm scrapping the time I
Okay this just made me hollar cause seriously you know you should have just made that tummy alteration at the beginning and got you some new pants! :) Glad you worked it out!
ReplyDeleteBoy do I hear ya! I fall for the "new pattern" trap all the time! My weakness is dresses! I have to confess I am a bit comforted to know that I am not the only one! LOL! can't wait to hear how your TNT alterations turn out. Have a great and productive weekend ;)
ReplyDeleteOh man that's just crazy! I agree with Carolyn. I do fall for new patterns thought too.
ReplyDeleteI hate to criticize, but why one earth did you fall for those jeans?!?!?! They don't look good on either the slim model or the plus model. Your own TNT pants look so much better. However, in all honesty, I keep falling for button front blouses, so I know the feeling.
ReplyDeleteLOL Andrea! In my defense, the model pics weren't on the website when I bought them and, well, I just thought they'd be normal jeans cut for a curvier body. But if I ever buy another CC pattern, slap me, OK?
ReplyDeleteI can't stop laughing at your load of socks!! Great visual and I know exactly what you mean! :)
ReplyDeleteOh! I love Simplicity 4068!! It's my TNT too! (That's because we are shaped so close to the same, hehe. Before I ever try a pant pattern I come here and see if you made it first.)
ReplyDeleteI gained a few pounds the past couple of months too dammit. Wonder who lost them? They need to come take them back!
Those darn patterns can be so inticing, casting their evil spell.
ReplyDeleteYou are so funny! I remember when you made your S jeans. They fit perfectly, and you were so excited about having perfectly fitted jeans. I don't know why we think we can do better than perfection. And yet, every time a new pattern comes out, we think it wil be magic!
ReplyDeleteThanks for saving me some pattern money. I keep falling for those new patterns that might be better than my TNTs. I need to learn! You are so funny describing your experience!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Everytime you start a new pants pattern I want to say to you "Why? You have a perfectly fitted TNT". But I keep my mouth shut cos who am I to tell you what to do. But in future if you dare to try a new pattern, I WILL ask the question! And I will remind you of the CC episode....
ReplyDeleteNo more Connie crawford for you! Have you had any luck with any of her patterns? since I know that you know how to measure, I assume that you picked the pattern by your hip size. 4"? That's just crazy. I know what you mean about new pants patterns. The reviews sound so great you'll just try it. I still need to get a jeans pattern worked out, but my tnt pattern trouser now has different width legs and if I never tuck in a shirt why add details to the hips that are too wide as it is? But we still seem to get that itch for the magic pair of pants that will make us look fabuoulous.
ReplyDeleteI used a Connie pants pattern in my pants fitting class and I had to take in a lot at both cb and the sides as well. (so much that I can't really use the pockets! My instructor said she was going to stop recommending that pattern because I was only the latest student to have problems with it. (I also had to add 3" in length and I'm totally average height!
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm too lazy to go through all the sweat and tears involved in making a new pants pattern fit, so I stick with the TNT pattern I finally got to fit. I hate to say this, but I've always admired your courage to tackle new pants patterns. I'll miss your reviews of new patterns, but I totally understand your sticking to what works.
ReplyDeleteYou are So right. When I'm altering patterns I just end up with a TNT pattern as well. We should probably just study the patterns for new design ideas and apply them to our TNT's.....I have been trying to do that myself. It takes me so long to alter a pattern I am sick of it even before I have started.
ReplyDeleteHad to hoot at this post. I reckon that the pattern companies have got their client's body shape all wrong. While they have finally realised that some women who so have largish breast, they are ignoring the waistline. I am not fat, but my waist is not 10 - 15 cms smaller than my hips. Grading up to accommodate my girth is a pain.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I was waiting for this review because I knew that the pattern would be....well....I don't want to 'kill' anyone's product.
ReplyDeleteLook at the shape of the pants legs on the model. Carrot shaped jeans legs on a plus-sized, when a straight leg would be so much more flattering.
Many months ago I conducted a trial with a Jalie's t-shirt and a CC t-shirt. Then I made a simple elastic waist knit pants from CC's pattern. I can tell you that I couldn't wear either the t-shirt or the pants from CC's pattern in or around my house. I wanted these as lounge wear. They were enormous and ugly. I chose the sizes exactly according to the instructions. Needless to say and this is truly unfortunate, I won't waste any more time on any of those patterns.
Many times I 'kick' myself for spending funds and wasting time on so many patterns when I am very capable of producing my own patterns. Oh well!!!
Debbie, thanks for your incredibly informative and funny-as-all-get-out posts and pattern reviews. You have made so many beautiful, perfect-fitting garments that it's nice to know sometimes you struggle, too!
ReplyDeleteHey, last time I needed to coverstitch I found your tutorial to be a HUGE help, but now the link doesn't seem to be working and I can't find it anymore. Is there a new link?
Thanks so much.
Rebecca Grace I couldn't get the coverstitch FAQ link to work anymore either... Glad I'm not the only one. =o)
ReplyDeleteI have a TNT pants pattern that I love and have modified over the years. =o) I took apart a pair of jeans from Penny's that fit really well but had to be sacrificed because they quit manufacturing them the same way and prepared patterns from the fabric store were useless! =op I recently even drafted some much more simple capris from it. It's so great to read all your posts. =o) Hearing your stories is like recounting my own experiences, and inspires me to keep moving forward because it's normal to fight with it a bit! =o) Sorry Debbie but I was exhilarated that even "the pro" was frustrated with the CC patterns. =oD
Thanks for the heads up. I keep looking at jeans patterns and the Connie Crawford's don't look exactly "right" on the pattern envelope but I have waffled because she does offer plus size. I am going to take your advice and consider other jeans patterns.
ReplyDelete