Alterations
Crotch Depth Too Long
This is indicated by lines radiating downward away from your crotch. The line often accompanies excess fabric in the upper thigh. To fix this, take a little off at the front crotch and gently grade it into the thigh on your front leg pattern piece. Don’t take off more than 1/4” at a time. You will be surprised how much of a difference a little alteration can make!
Crotch Depth Too Short
Whiskers sweeping upward across your hips with creasing at the crotch indicates the need to extend the depth of the front crotch. This fit issue can be accompanied with tightness at the upper thigh. Making the illustrated adjustment will alleviate pulling. Do this a little bit at a time. Start with letting out the front (only) crotch seam allowance 1/4” and go from there to give your pubic bone a little more space.
Round Pubis (It’s a Camel Toe!)
If your lady bits are getting smashed and you have lines radiating upward away from your crotch an adjustment is needed. To fix this you can deepen the rise of your front crotch. Gently grade it into the rise just below your zipper. Don’t take off more than 1/4” at a time. You will be surprised how much a difference a little alteration can make! This adjustment increases the length of the vertical rise, giving more room for the length of your pubic bone.
The Crotch “Click”
This is a fit issue that is most commonly diagnosed after wearing your pants around for a day. The physical signs of this one aren’t overtly apparent but are obnoxiously obvious when you’re out and about and you hear that awful click or pop noise with every step. This is from a pubic bone that is set in farther than the pattern is drafted for. To fix it, let out your crotch curve a little bit. If altering post construction, reduce the seam allowance in that area. You may also need to reduce the crotch depth to resolve this issue.
Full Derrière
If you were blessed with a larger than average booty for your size you may commonly have issues with pants developing stress lines radiating outward from the center of the butt.
Tiny Hiney
This is a common alteration that apple shape hips need. If the pant is saggy in the bottom, we need to reduce the vertical rise length and take in the crotch depth a little bit. Start with taking increments of about 1/4” off the back leg and take in these areas more as necessary.
Full Tummy
If you have a full lower tummy and develop lines radiating downward away from your zipper, an adjustment is needed. You can help alleviate this by increasing the rise. Cut straight down the middle of the front rise and pivot the top piece to add a bit of extra length. Don’t add more than 1/2” at a time.
Sway Back
If there is excess fabric pooling near the top of your butt a swayback adjustment could solve your issue. To correct this simply scoop a little bit off your back
leg rise. Start with 1/4” and increase from there. Do not make any adjustments to the back yoke piece.
Wedgie/ Low Derrière
Is the back rise uncomfortable tight? If your bum is hanging below the rise and you develop horizontal lines just under each cheek you can resolve this issue by scooping the back rise a little deeper. This will give the bum a little more wiggle room. Follow the illustration, adjusting only 1/4” at a time.
Full Thighs
Are the thighs uncomfortably tight? If there are lines radiating down diagonally from the upper thigh area you can give yourself a little more room. Simply let out the crotch depth a little bit at a time until they fit comfortably. Do this by extending the crotch depth out 1/4” at a time. A little adjustment can go a long way. Be aware that adjusting the pattern this way will add a little room to the back rise of your pant.
Thin Thighs
Do you have excess fabric at the thighs? If so, take a little more seam allowance off the front and back legs from the crotch down through mid thigh. This will reduce your crotch length. If you are happy with how the crotch is currently fitting you can contour your thigh shape to blend into the existing crotch depth at the top. Make this adjustment 1/8” at a time to ensure the legs aren’t over tightened.
Lines on Outseam
This is another issue that is very easy to spot. If there are lines (horizontal or diagonal) spanning across the outseam at your sides, the pant needs to be taken in at those locations. Turn your pant inside out and shave off 1/4” at a time until they fit just right.
Plumbers Crack
Ok we all know what a plumber’s crack is. That dreaded cool breeze you feel floating around your behind because your pants aren’t high enough in the back. To correct this simply raise your back leg rise. Have someone help you measure how much you’ll want to adjust while wearing your test version. Do not make any adjustments to the back yoke piece.
These alterations can be daunting. Start small and simple. Check them one by one. Patterns are drafted for a specific body, and you might have to alter them. But you will love them, and believe me you will be screaming for joy when your pants fit your body perfectly.
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-- originally authored by Nicole Cook. Archived by Holly Hetzner