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waist adjustment on slack pattern (Moderated by Sharon1952)
Posted on: 6/12/14 6:07 AM ET
Hi, I am getting back into sewing after many years, my how the body can change in that time. I would like to know the best way to increase the waist by 6 inches on a slack pattern.
pattern me
waist 34 40
hips 44 44
the pattern is a simple one with a elastic waist in a casing.
your help would be really appreciated.
pattern me
waist 34 40
hips 44 44
the pattern is a simple one with a elastic waist in a casing.
your help would be really appreciated.
Board Moderator
Member since 7/1/08
Posts: 5331
Member since 7/1/08
Posts: 5331
Massachusetts USA
Skill: Advanced
Skill: Advanced
Posted on: 6/12/14 6:43 AM ET
I would mark the extra six inches by adding 1.5 inches to each side of the waist edge on the front and back pattern pieces. Then just connect a smooth line following the crotch curve to the expanded waist. Check out: Pants tutorial
-- Edited on 6/12/14 6:44 AM --
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-- Edited on 6/12/14 6:44 AM --
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Sewing: A creative mess is better than tidy idleness. ~Author Unknown
Posted on: 6/12/14 9:49 AM ET
In reply to jackielynn
IMO, first you need to determine the distribution of your actual waist measurement.
Is it even all the way around? (like a box shape body)
Is most of it in the front? (like a full tummy)
It makes a difference because if you have a very full tummy and add the extra inches all the way around, your side seam will tilt forward.
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Is it even all the way around? (like a box shape body)
Is most of it in the front? (like a full tummy)
It makes a difference because if you have a very full tummy and add the extra inches all the way around, your side seam will tilt forward.
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iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
Posted on: 6/12/14 11:08 AM ET
If the slacks are elastic waist with no zipper, the waist already stretches to at least 44 inches so it can go over your hips when you put them on. You may need only a longer length of elastic in the casing.
-- Edited on 6/12/14 11:09 AM --
-- Edited on 6/12/14 11:09 AM --
Posted on: 6/12/14 11:14 AM ET
In reply to jackielynn
Six inches is a considerable amount to add to the waist. Depending on your actual shape, you may want to increase some at the side seams and the remainder from the darts. If you have fluff just below your waist, then you probably wouldn't need the darts to be as large as the original ones. You may have to do some practicing to determine what works the best for you.
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Oops, forgot what I was going to put here.
Posted on: 6/12/14 11:20 AM ET
How about a new pattern? Nancy of Nancy's Notions has a method of cutting a larger pattern where you go to smaller sizes as you go down the legs so the fullness is taken out and looks very normal and nice in the finished product.
However, that said, I always have to make the waist larger, and I just cut it larger from about 5" below the waist on up - wedging out you could say.
And then, as everyone has said, the elastic will help - measure the elastic on the body where you want your waist to be in the pants and make it as fitting as you want, sew it together after inserting in casing and happy pants wearing! Let us see the finished project! 
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However, that said, I always have to make the waist larger, and I just cut it larger from about 5" below the waist on up - wedging out you could say.
And then, as everyone has said, the elastic will help - measure the elastic on the body where you want your waist to be in the pants and make it as fitting as you want, sew it together after inserting in casing and happy pants wearing! Let us see the finished project! 
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"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." --Dalai Lama
https://eyeletsintheseams.blogspot.com
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https://eyeletsintheseams.blogspot.com
Pfaff 1222E, Elna eXcellence 720, Brother Innovis PS500, Brother SE400, Brother 1034D, Sunbeam irons ;)
Posted on: 6/13/14 1:52 PM ET
Thank you so much for your help, I will do the adjustment and also buy Nancy's slack pattern, maybe I can quit sewing on old sheets and get some real material LOL.
Posted on: 6/13/14 2:28 PM ET
In reply to jackielynn
I can't see the pattern, but I don't think you need to do anything much different at all, if it just has an elastic waist in a casing and if it just pulls onto you, over your hips with no zipper or other opening.
Just since then, it has to be big enough to pull on and get over your hips anyways to just even get it on and wear it. In that case, the waistline is probably the same around as the hips, and if the hips are at least fitting over 44 inch around hips, they would also fit around any waist measurement at all, up to also probably 44 inches, and your waist is only 40 inches instead. So I think you are good to go probably.
Of course, you might need to put the elastic in with a more of it, than any little guide piece on the pattern shows though. But if when you look at the front and back pants pattern pieces, if the side seams of those go straight up to the waist in a straight line, from the hip area, like most pull on pants often do, then it does not matter what your waist is, as long as it's smaller than your hips. And you would not even want to make it smaller than your hips either, or just no way to step into and later pull those elastic waist pants on then.
Only you can see the actual pattern and pattern pieces though.
Just since then, it has to be big enough to pull on and get over your hips anyways to just even get it on and wear it. In that case, the waistline is probably the same around as the hips, and if the hips are at least fitting over 44 inch around hips, they would also fit around any waist measurement at all, up to also probably 44 inches, and your waist is only 40 inches instead. So I think you are good to go probably.
Of course, you might need to put the elastic in with a more of it, than any little guide piece on the pattern shows though. But if when you look at the front and back pants pattern pieces, if the side seams of those go straight up to the waist in a straight line, from the hip area, like most pull on pants often do, then it does not matter what your waist is, as long as it's smaller than your hips. And you would not even want to make it smaller than your hips either, or just no way to step into and later pull those elastic waist pants on then.
Only you can see the actual pattern and pattern pieces though.
Posted on: 6/13/14 4:24 PM ET
I guess what confused me is that I did not have enough gathers to go evenly around my waist, so I thought an adjustment was needed.
Posted on: 6/13/14 6:59 PM ET
In reply to GlButterfly
Replying to self because once again I didn't read the original post correctly. She clearly stated that it was an elasticized waist! I will leave my post, however, in case it helps someone who has the same question but for a banded pair.
Note: I had an eye exam less than a year ago---really!
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Note: I had an eye exam less than a year ago---really!

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Oops, forgot what I was going to put here.
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