Date: 7/12/09 11:14 AM

I have visited this board many times for advice. Appreciate it much. Based on various comments in the fitting and pattern areas, I bought the Sew U book by Wendy because it had a pattern from size 0 up for pants.

On the surface I would say if I had a teenager that was learning to sew, this would be a great book. It had some tips, most of which I knew but after years of sewing, I'd kind of 'short cut' my way around them. It was a good reminder that there are some steps you just should not skip.

Now, about that pattern: if you are very petite (I'm talking weight, and height and dimensions around) but also proportionate AND you are not a teenager, this book is not for you.

I am 50 years old. Low rise pants and hip hugging skirts are not flattering to me. In them, I look like some middle-aged woman who refuses to grow up. When you are very small, wearing anything too 'trendy' (spell that way under-aged) just points out the fact that you can't buy for love or money anything off the rack that fits. I may as well Donald Duck tennis shoes, it's that obvious.

I see now where there were some other reviews in other parts of this web site that give more details on the pattern styles. When I googled for size 0 patterns, those did not come up. What came up were the general reviews speaking to those of us who are not (and do not have time to become) pattern draftsmen. Those reviews made the book sound like a wise investment.

Just a heads up for those who are looking for classic pants (call them slacks or trousers) pattern in small sizes: This book won't do the trick.

It was good info, just not what I needed, unfortunately. Hope this will help someone else looking for really small patterns.

If anyone knows of a classic "sits at the waist" trouser pattern with tapered legs (not stove pipe wide and not boot cut), in a size 0, I'd be grateful. It is amazing how much unrelated stuff you have to wade through when you do a google search.

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"Do the job better than the man who assigned it to you thought it could be done" LT. Col. HJ Huntzinger

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Reply to suelange
Date: 7/12/09 11:37 AM

Have you considered trying Click and Sew software? It's reasonably priced, and it let's you customize a pattern for your measurements and style requirements. I had a very good experience with Click and Sew pants - too good, in fact. It convinced me to buy the larger (more expensive) PMB software. The first pants pattern I printed out on C&S is still my go-to pattern.

Their pants package might be just what you need.

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“Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.” -Robert Heinlein and Ann's father. Thanks for the reminder, Ann.

Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?

Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

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Reply to suelange
Date: 7/12/09 12:08 PM

Quote:

Low rise pants and hip hugging skirts are not flattering to me. In them, I look like some middle-aged woman who refuses to grow up. When you are very small, wearing anything too 'trendy' (spell that way under-aged) just points out the fact that you can't buy for love or money anything off the rack that fits.

You could try Jalie patterns. They run from 2T to 22 or so in one pattern envelope, so you can pick your size based on measurements. I am petite, although perhaps not as slim as you (5'1" around 108lbs). I love Jalie's jeans pattern and have now made the jeans 3 times for myself. They have other pants patterns which might work for you, although I haven't tried them myself so can't speak from experience.

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Reply to Karla Kizer
Date: 7/12/09 2:30 PM

Thank you.

Indeed I have used click and sew and they were close but had issues with too much ease in hips.

My sister talked me into PMB several years ago. I really couldn't work with it. You truly have to know drafting inside and out, and be a CAD expert to boot. It starts out assuming a cup size far huger than I have to work with, and everything drafts 'off' from there.

Most of the time it argues that your measurements are wrong when in fact they are not, and if you turn off that feature, I've even had it draft armscyes that go in a huge convex circle on jackets or blouses.

I worked on that program with several people who were trained to measure for that software, none of them took the same measurements for me! I worked online with their support team to no avail.

PMB in my book is truly not for the petite built woman. And if you can fit a standard size, you hardly need it.

I stopped with the version 3 something update.

Anyway I may go reload the click and sew from long gone days and see if I can make it work. Thanks for that idea I'd forgotten about it since it wasn't really close enough for me, I just put it under another good idea that failed in my case. Maybe I can resurrect it.

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"Do the job better than the man who assigned it to you thought it could be done" LT. Col. HJ Huntzinger

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Reply to becca a
Date: 7/12/09 2:32 PM

Thanks. I've never heard of Jalie. I'll go do some research on that. What is a 2 "T"? Only time I've heard of "T" is in childern's clothing if it means 'tall' I'd been in a world of hurt as I stand 4/8".

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"Do the job better than the man who assigned it to you thought it could be done" LT. Col. HJ Huntzinger

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Reply to suelange
Date: 7/12/09 2:50 PM

Jalie Patterns cover sizes 2T (toddler) 22" hips up to misses....53" hips? Something like that. They are extremely well drafted, contemporary in style, and include minimal ease. It's very easy to produce a professional looking garment with these patterns.

------
“Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.” -Robert Heinlein and Ann's father. Thanks for the reminder, Ann.

Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?

Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

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Reply to becca a
Date: 7/12/09 7:07 PM

becca - Which number Jalie pattern is the one you love! I've never tried Jalie before - it seems so intimidating with all of those sizes together, and it seems the reviews of the patterns are mixed.

I'm 5'2", and the jeans I wore today I bought with my DD at Penney's in the junior department. As we walked the Farmer's Market this morning, I could feel the low waist slither down my hips! Have to wear a looong t-shirt over it.

I AM the well-over 50 something wearing my daughter's jeans
-- Edited on 7/12/09 9:05 PM --

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~Claire

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Date: 7/13/09 12:25 PM

okay ladies, I'm a glutten for punishment. I bought 4 pants patterns from Jalies. Looks like I can maybe trace off a blend between two of the girl's sizes (slightly bigger in waste than the pattern which matches my hips allows but I bet I can trace those two and blend them). Also, won't know until I get it if the crotch depth/length will work using a girl's pattern, that's another issue with being my size.

BUT, I'm going to try it. Jalies has a buy 3 get one free deal so, I purchased some cargo pant patterns as well as three classic 'work' trouser styles.

It may take me several months (my life is far too hectic) but when I get done I will post back and let you all know.

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"Do the job better than the man who assigned it to you thought it could be done" LT. Col. HJ Huntzinger

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Reply to suelange
Date: 7/13/09 2:00 PM

Thanks for the info. about the Jalie buy 3 get one! Sounds like it's time to check out the pants patterns! Please post updates about the cargo pants fit! I have lots of projects going in my head too - but you're so right- life has a way of getting-in-the-way!

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~Claire

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Reply to ClaireF in CA
Date: 7/20/09 10:18 AM

Quote:

Which number Jalie pattern is the one you love! I've never tried Jalie before - it seems so intimidating with all of those sizes together, and it seems the reviews of the patterns are mixed. I'm 5'2"...

Claire, sorry to be so long getting back to you. I love the Jalie 2908 jeans pattern. It is easier to trace off Jalie patterns than BWOF since there are no conflicting lines. The 2098 jeans fit really nicely. They have a "low" rise and a high rise view in this pattern. The low rise isn't really low--it is about 1" lower than the high rise in my size. I have made both. I am 5'1" so I make size R which is the smallest adult size but use size Q length. It is easy enough to adjust leg length as needed.

This is my review of the pattern
http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/readreview.pl?readreview=1&reviewnum=38323
(sorry I don't know how to do clickable links except in a review)

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