Date: 9/30/09 4:00 PM

I have noticed that there are message boards for petites and plus sizes, but nothing for tall sizes. I know that there are quite a few women out there who probably started sewing because they are tall. I am proposing a sew along for anyone who needs to add length and deal with other "tall" fitting issues. I am currently cutting out a pair of pants so this would be my item. I would say that this is open to anyone who is working on an item where they have to alter the pattern because of their height or length. Does anyone want to join me on this one???

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Date: 9/30/09 5:15 PM

Oh, what a great idea! I need to make pants, have patterns and fabric, but I'm afraid to get going. I'm in!

What are you making? I need to go look at my stash(es) and figure out what pants to make.

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Erin in Dallas
http://amateursewist.blogspot.com/

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Date: 9/30/09 5:17 PM

I promised myself I wouldn't start anything new until I finish my Xmas sewing projects. I know from experience that anything started before that ends up a UFO. I have a pants muslin I cut out several years ago that will need length in at least one location so I may join you in a month.

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If you wait for the perfect time to start, you'll never start.

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Date: 9/30/09 7:21 PM

Count me in, Heidi. You're right - I haven't seen any board for us tall gals and we all know how difficult it is to find RTW clothes. I even have a difficult time at tall shops because I'm "too" tall.

I'd like to get working on warmer clothes because a chill is in the air now. It will be exciting to have tops that will cover my wrists (instead of buying long-sleeves and having them fit me as 3/4-length - HA).

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Jewel

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Reply to racehorse
Date: 9/30/09 10:49 PM

I am making these trousers out of a mid-weight cotton Chino from Fabric.com.
This is BWOF 07-2009-102. I am making them in Burda Size 38 which is similar to a 12. I have had good luck with BWOF patterns. Here is a list of the alterations I am making:
1. I added 3/8" to the crotch depth on the front and back. Since these are below waist pants I didn't want to add too much.
2. I cut the back inseam from the crotch point to knee tapering form a size 36 at the crotch back to the 38 at the knee. Many pant bag on the back thigh so I am going to see if this helps. I also added 1" to the length between the crotch and knee.
3. I added 1" to the length from the knee to the hem.
I always lengthen pants by splitting the amount of length to be added this way even though it is a bit more work.

I will keep you posted of changes I make as I sew these.
-- Edited on 9/30/09 11:00 PM --

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Date: 9/30/09 10:58 PM

I am glad I have a couple to join me so far on this. I will try to share any alterations I make as I go. When I was young (I'm 55) there were NO clothes available in Tall sizes. Even now since I wear a 6 in RTW many Talls don't come in size 6 or smaller. And a lot of Talls are only just regular pants cut longer. I have problems with the rise being too low or short. In hipster pants which I like they are often just too low. And I won't even begin to talk about blouses which don't tuck in (or reach the top of hipster pant) etc. etc. If you have had these same problems it is time to jump in and join us. I bet when you complain to your friends about not being able to find clothes that fit because you are too tall you get little (or no) sympathy. If you have had this experience climb aboard , join this sew along, and share your experiences!!

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Date: 9/30/09 11:03 PM

I'll join in this with you all. My fight with RTW is the idea that 'Tall' sizing somehow equates to 'Large' in most pattern makers minds. I don't need the extra ease built into the entire garment...only extra length.

This is a very timely sewalong. Butterick 5185 nearly undid me last week. It doesn't have an above waist adjustment line and my little voice that said 'there must be a good reason' was ignored by the big voice that said 'no big deal'. It turned out well in the end but there were some EEK moments along the way.


I just finished up New Look 6816 and it's a cutie. Added 1 1/2" each to sleeves and body length at the waist. Super easy and DD wanted one too. Her comment was that she loved anything that gave shape to a celery!

Haven't made a decision on my next project yet. Probably a TNT so I can finish before we leave for a long weekend next week. I have get started on a jacket for sure 'cause it was definitely fall here in NC today.

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Live Life Like You Love It!

"Those who beat their swords into plowshares end up plowing for those who
kept their swords." Benjamin Franklin

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Date: 10/1/09 11:45 AM

Heidi Ho--would you say the Burda 38 is similar to a RTW size 12? I'm taking a size 12 in the wake of delivering my daughter in June, and it's been hard trying to gauge the size I need now. As a reference, I've made a New Look tops and typically take a size 12-14, depending on the fabric. I'm also wearing size 12 Gap jeans.

In addition to pants, I also need to make a winter coats and some jackets for work. I am finding that different patterns require different amounts of lengthening in the sleeves. The New Look tops I've made I've had to lengthen 4-6 inches.

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Erin in Dallas
http://amateursewist.blogspot.com/

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Date: 10/1/09 12:55 PM

Heidi - I've never considered adding length to two areas on the leg. That's very interesting and it would definitely be beneficial to me (since I add 7-inches - OUCH) in trying to maintain the original shape of the pattern.

You are so right about no sympathy from my short friends. They complain about having to hem everything and then tease about giving me their extras. When there is no hem to work with, a tall gal is out of luck. I do jokingly say that I invented the cropped - or capri style pants. Not like I had any choice, though.

Since I started sewing for myself last year, I have now become much more picky about fit. I have been getting rid of a lot of ill-fitting clothes. I can't believe I actually wore these things!

Thanks for starting this sew-along, Heidi.

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Jewel

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Reply to homejewel
Date: 10/1/09 1:55 PM

Quote: homejewel

Heidi - I've never considered adding length to two areas on the leg. That's very interesting and it would definitely be beneficial to me (since I add 7-inches - OUCH) in trying to maintain the original shape of the pattern. You are so right about no sympathy from my short friends. They complain about having to hem everything and then tease about giving me their extras. When there is no hem to work with, a tall gal is out of luck. I do jokingly say that I invented the cropped - or capri style pants. Not like I had any choice, though. Since I started sewing for myself last year, I have now become much more picky about fit. I have been getting rid of a lot of ill-fitting clothes. I can't believe I actually wore these things! Thanks for starting this sew-along, Heidi.

I've been bagging up stuff that doesn't fit me, too. Also, culling out my old t-shirts to recon them for my baby girl, since many of them have sleeves that are too short and/or have torsos that expose part of my belly! I can't believe I wore such ill-fitting things!

My regular size is RTW 4-6 and most tall shops have a very limited selection in that size. What there is tends to have very dull colors (khaki, navy blue, black) and the styles are frumpy. Just because I'm tall doesn't mean I would prefer to fade into the background! Tall catalogs tend to be very overpriced for the styles they are selling. I was ordering stuff from the UK and Canada and paying big money for very simple styles in mostly dull colors.
-- Edited on 10/1/09 1:56 PM --

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Erin in Dallas
http://amateursewist.blogspot.com/

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