And this time, I'm not going to talk about any sewing technique, but want to share my thoughts on why it's hard for me to figure out the right size to make.
As I said on Friday, I used the fabric left over from making the corset from this pattern for these cropped length pants for myself. I just barely squeezed them out. There was just a small pile of scraps left after cutting. And I don't know where it was purchased. Simplicity bought it for me, but I will ask. |
And, before cutting anything, I also checked the finished garment measurements on the pattern pieces themselves and since this fabric has a little stretch to it and because I wanted these pants to fit close, I cut the size 12 average.
So, I sewed up the front with its yoke and the back with its yoke and the zipper set in so I could fit these pants by pinning the side seams to the outside as instructed in the guide sheet.
BUT, when I sewed the side seam up where I had marked them, the pants were just too big. If I were in a store trying on pants, I would go for a smaller size.
The pencil line closest to the cut edge is the original 1" seam allowance given for fitting. The little holes show where I machine stitched the side seam the first time and the other pencil line shows where I will be stitching the side seam for the second time. That's almost a 1/2" which is 1" per leg and 2" around the hips. That's a lot coming off a size 12 when I really have measurements for a size 14.
First in Simplicity's defense, they would rather have people mad at them for a pattern being too large than too small. Too large can be fixed, but if something is too small, a project can be rendered unusable. And, they have no idea what fabric we are going to use to make up any one pattern and fabrics can change the fit of things a lot.
Now, for my size hang ups ...
I come from a family of all sisters with a mother who was very obsessed about her size, always a little larger than she wanted to be and always on a diet, eating artificial everything, it seemed. So, my sisters and I, too, have battled with our weight from time to time.
I've had a very hard time being honest about my own measurements. I've lost some weight over the last four years and now have the exact measurements for a size 14. But, four years ago I really was a size 16, but couldn't admit that to myself and always made a size 14 which usually fit fine. This was great for my body ego.
All I can figure is that it is common for many people to fudge their measurements and for that reason pattern companies give us a little extra to work with.
But, always be careful ... look at the finished garment measurement printed on the pattern before cutting.