[Jessica]

Hello!
I am making the Girl Friday culottes and everything was going fine until I got to fitting the waistband at the end. Although I double checked the pattern pieces and sizing, the waistband is much smaller than the waist of the culottes and I am not sure how to fix them or at least how to avoid this problem in the future. This was my test fabric and I do want to make a pair in nicer fabric. I did attach some photos if you are able to see my mistakes from the photo? Thank you for any help or advice. I really do love how descriptive the directions are.

Attachments:

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[Jessica]

another picture

[Liesl Gibson]

Hi there, and I’m sorry the waistband is causing you problems. It’s difficult to tell what’s going on from the photos, but if the culottes are fitting you well before the waistband, another solution would be to cut a waistband longer than the pattern piece and fit it to your waist while you’re wearing the culottes without the waistband. Then pin and sew it. That way you’ve custom fitted the waistband to your precise size and it will fit the waist of the culottes as well. Does that make sense? The waistband is intentionally cut to be a bit smaller that the culottes so you can ease them in and have ease through the hips, but that doesn’t mean you need to sew them that way. I hope that helps!

[Jessica]

Thank you! This is very helpful. I will try this. Also I did make an error and removed the basting stitches from the top of the pockets before adding the waistband which I think caused major issues. I unpicked the whole waistband and will try again. Thank you very much for your help.

[Lightning McStitch]

Hi @jgenninger,
Are you working from a very early printed version of the pattern?
There was an error with the darts that caused all sorts of waistband fitting issues in the very first printed pattern (which is what I have on my shelf, hence I remembered).
Maybe check the errata notice on the pattern’s webpage.

[Jessica]

Hi!
I did see that thread and thought that could be the issue but I just bought this pattern last week. I think the issue is my own error of taking out the basting stitches at the top of the pocket on the waistband. I unpicked it and am going to try again after work! I hope I’m successful because I love the style of the pants and I really love how clear and concise the pattern directions are. Thank you! Any tips on applying the waistband are appreciated. I am a new sewer, just started a year ago.

[Liesl Gibson]

Ah, that makes sense, yes! Let us know how it works out. I just got out my culottes the other day, too! It’s a classic style, for sure.

[Jessica]

Update! I unpicked the waistband, re-basted the pockets, sewed on the waistband and it fit perfectly.I am so happy. Thank you for all your help!

[Liesl Gibson]

Oh, I’m relieved! Thanks for letting me know!