PatternReview.com online sewing community
Join our community of 579,294 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,294 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
Member since 10/4/08
Posts: 575
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 11/27/09 11:37 AM ET
I just made my first pair of pants of a woven cotton twill, in my usual Burda size of 40. When I was sewing them, they seemed awfully small and I let out the side seams a bit, and got them to a pretty decent fit. But, lo and hehold after wearing them for a few hours they have now stretched out, and though they still are quite wearable, I am wondering if you more experienced sewers factor in this phenomenon. I can see probably sewing down at least size in future for many pants, even more so with corduroy or denim. It this right?
-- Edited on 11/27/09 3:30 PM --
  
Member since 7/27/09
Posts: 366
Body Type:
Send Message
Re: Need help understanding oant size and stretch (posted on 11/27/09 8:42 PM ET)
Does the fabric have some stretch content? This could be a factor.
Did the Pants stretch out all over or just at the waist band
------
2019 Sewing Goals: RTW fast, sew at least one tailored shirt (men or women), sew Jeans

2019 50 Yard Dash:
Jan 7.5yds
  
Member since 10/14/03
Posts: 2589
Body Type:
Send Message
Re: Need help understanding oant size and stretch (posted on 11/27/09 10:50 PM ET)
This happens with jeans. They stretch out almost a size, so you have to buy them to fit very snugly. Denim is just a heavy twill. I've noticed that my cotton twill pants stretch out, but not so much that I can't wear them. So, unless they've become unwearable, I'd say that this is normal. I would imagine that throwing them in the washer and dryer will shrink them back up again.
------
If I sewed any slower, I wouldn't be sewing at all.

  
Member since 10/4/08
Posts: 575
Body Type:
Send Message
Re: Need help understanding oant size and stretch (posted on 11/28/09 11:07 AM ET)
Interesting about jeans just being twill, I never knew that. These are medium weight cotton twill with a little give, no real stretch to speak of, and they stretched out all over.


-- Edited on 11/28/09 11:08 AM --
  
Member since 4/21/09
Posts: 1824
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 11/30/09 3:55 AM ET
In reply to ChristinePDX
This is definitely a 'feature' of some of the firm fabrics used for pants. I had one pair that were too snug in the morning but by lunchtime I need to keep hitching them up. It's one of the reasons I don't like eans (though to be fair some denims are much worse than others).

Corduroy doesn't do this - hurray. Even stretch cord stays the size you made it all day. And I have faint memory that heavy cotton drill is also very stable for pants (but needs pressing).
------
Rosemary
  
Member since 7/31/02
Posts: 50
Send Message
Posted on: 11/30/09 9:18 AM ET
When I'm unsure about the stretch factor of the fabric, I put a back seam in the waist band like in men's wear. I attach the waistband first and sew the back seam very last (crotch and waist band in one). This makes width adjustments very easy, if the fabric turns out to widen.
  
Member since 10/4/08
Posts: 575
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 12/1/09 10:29 AM ET
In reply to katharin
Hey, interesting! That is the method of construction for the pants I just made (need to do a review on them).
  
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Metro Textiles
NYC Fabric Store
Specials!
Discovery Fabrics
High Performance Fabrics
Specials!
Fancy Frocks Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics