Hello friends!
I hope that you are getting ready for our Hollywood Trousers sew-along which starts next week! Many of you expressed an interest in having a sew-along for this pattern, so we’d love to see you participate.
My set of the fall patterns is still stuck in customs, but I’m hoping they’ll be freed in time!
So here are a few tips to help you get ready for the sew-along.
Which Size should I Choose?
For trousers like these, it’s best to pick the size based on your hip measurement. The waist can be adjusted at the side seam and at the back darts, so when you baste your muslin, feel free to let in or out at the waist, as needed.
Let’s talk about getting a good fit, shall we? As always, I strongly recommend that you make a muslin. This will allow you to check the fit and make any necessary adjustments before you cut into your chosen fabric. This is especially important because of the pockets, and since you can eliminate the pockets when sewing your muslin it will be quick and painless to check the fit there.
In fact, here’s a quick and easy trouser muslin guide to help you through the process painlessly:
- Skip the fly and the pockets. Just cut the front and back of the trousers.
- Staystitch the waist of the front and back trousers so it doesn’t stretch out when you try them on. Baste the front and back trousers together at the back darts, rise, inseam, and side seams. Leave one side seam open above the hip so you can try on the muslin.
- Try on the trousers and pin the un-sewn side seam closed so you can check the fit.
- To make adjustments, turn the trousers inside out and pin as needed. Remove basting stitches where you need to let out. Use pins to mark your new seams.
- Once you’ve adjusted the seams by pinning, take off the trousers and mark the position of the pins to indicate your new seamlines. Transfer your changes back to the pattern pieces and add seam allowances where necessary.
That doesn’t sound too difficult, does it? It’s really not.
What About Changing the Width of the Trouser Legs?
I love doing this! In fact, it’s a great way to update trousers that have gone out of style. Simply put on the trousers inside-out and pin the legs to suit your preferences. Just be sure that you make the same adjustments equally at the side seam and the inseam so the trouser legs stay balanced.
Likewise, if you want to make your trouser legs wider, add the flare to the pattern pieces starting at the hip bone and flaring from there in a straight line. Then cut out your muslin and try them on to make any adjustments that you want.
By the way, for those of you interested in making the trousers narrower, I recently learned a cool trick I’ve been using when altering slim trousers for myself: concentrate on pinning the knees to be quite narrow and the entire slim trouser leg will look much better. It really works!
OK? Are you ready now, and are you feeling excited? I hope so. This will be fun!