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Member since 1/23/06
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Posted on: 1/5/11 8:00 PM ET
I have a pair of trousers made in the early 90's that fit me PERFECTLY. They have slanted pockets, a waistband, fly, and pleats. I plan on cutting these apart and need to update the look. The waist I can deal with. Its the pleats. Do I just rotate them out to the side seam. A dart would make a bubble. I have a small waist and wide hips so I need the fabric in those pleats.

I am thinking when I take the pants apart to make a pattern I can remove the pleats and play with them to see what works but if anyone has successfully done this I would love to hear from you.

I am thinking I would look totally dated if I make these pants with the pleats and a regular waistband.
Thanks, Bunny
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Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 1/5/11 8:24 PM ET
In reply to solosmocker
Quote:
I am thinking I would look totally dated if I make these pants with the pleats and a regular waistband


Did Katherine Hepburn ever look totally dated?
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Elona
  
Member since 5/9/05
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Posted on: 1/5/11 8:50 PM ET
In reply to solosmocker
I've actually been thinking along those lines lately. I found my TNT Vogue pants (one size up) on ebay this summer and bought it. I made dozens of them for work in the 90's and they were always comfy. I still have a few pair in wool that I wear with an elastic waist extender and long sweaters!

I'm seeing a few pleats on pants in RTW and I think Elona has put her finger on it....classics don't go out. Usually, the fabric will date a classic, not the style. I think I will go ahead and make mine up in RPL and wear them. I'll do it if you do. !!! We'll probably be ahead of the curve. Seems pattern companies are working their way through the decades now so we can be trendsetters.

Re: your original question, I've never done that but if I did I would frankenpattern the original fit to a current pattern waist that fits rather than try a fix on the original.

Chyrl
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Member since 7/19/03
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Posted on: 1/5/11 9:22 PM ET
What happens if you pin the pleats shut and try the pants on? Do you end up with a tuck at the bottom?
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Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 1/5/11 10:03 PM ET
In reply to solosmocker
I had a pair of Liz Claiborne corduroys that I played with. I rotated the pleats to the side seams and made a yoke. And surprisingly, darts don't create bubbles--people do! And I love pants with pleats, especially with my hips!
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Member since 1/23/06
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Posted on: 1/5/11 10:21 PM ET
Its good to know I am not the only hippy woman who likes pleats and thinks they look good on herself. I am not a sweet young thang and I think it could be easier for me to look dated in these at my age. I haven't worn these pants in years and I tried them out the other day while closet cleaning and was blown away that they still fit really well. Maybe great fit can outweigh trendiness because the pants will look better for my body? Hmmm.....

I definitely get a tuck with the pinned pleat.

I like your idea Chyrl and have been also thinking along the lines as well. The other thing I like about these pants is that the legs are proportioned really well for someone 5 feet tall. I think the original pattern was a Donna Karan and only wish I could find it. With house moves, etc... it is long gone.

I know I have a certain bias here, but I have also seen pleats in RTW. Maybe my time has come.
-- Edited on 1/5/11 10:24 PM --
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Member since 7/20/08
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Posted on: 1/5/11 10:24 PM ET
In reply to solosmocker
I thought they were coming back?

May I just say how impressed I am that they still fit you? Wow! My hat is off to you!
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Mary


  
Member since 1/23/06
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Posted on: 1/5/11 10:26 PM ET
Thanks, Mary. I managed to survive menopause relatively well thanks to some good genes.
-- Edited on 1/5/11 10:28 PM --
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Member since 6/24/07
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Posted on: 1/6/11 2:39 AM ET
I used a pattern for pleated pants to make ones with a straight front and to adapt the pattern folded them out, tapering the fold out along the length. To change a trouser block to one with waist pleats you slash it down from waist and spread the pattern a little to get the pleats, so what i did is the reverse.
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Posted on: 1/6/11 7:50 AM ET
In reply to petro
I was thinking of that also but was afraid it would change the grain. I am going to have to take apart these pants and look at them really well. Thanks Petro.
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