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Posted on: 10/23/15 9:44 AM ET
When I wear pants or jeans with a fitted leg they often get hung up on my calf (do we say calves?). I've tried the recommended pattern adjustment on the left but ended up with a bell bottom look. I was thinking about something similar to what is shown on the right but am afraid I might end up with some other disaster.
I would love your input or advice on another way to adjust for prominent, hyper extended or muscular calves.

-- Edited on 10/23/15 at 10:04 AM --
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I would love your input or advice on another way to adjust for prominent, hyper extended or muscular calves.

-- Edited on 10/23/15 at 10:04 AM --
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Barb
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Thomas Edison
"I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow." Woodrow Wilson
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Thomas Edison
"I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow." Woodrow Wilson
Posted on: 10/23/15 10:48 AM ET
If all you need is an inch wider, you could add 1/4" to each of the back and front lower leg seams.
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Absolutely loving my Janome 500e embroidery machine, very creative. Problem with all my stash for clothing!
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Absolutely loving my Janome 500e embroidery machine, very creative. Problem with all my stash for clothing!
Posted on: 10/23/15 10:58 AM ET
In reply to MNBarb
The adjustment on the right reminds me of a full thigh adjustment.
If it works for a full thigh adjustment, than why would it not work for a full calf?
Straighten the inseam and side seam, fold the pattern in half and mark a new grain line.
So creative Barb!
Woggy
If it works for a full thigh adjustment, than why would it not work for a full calf?
Straighten the inseam and side seam, fold the pattern in half and mark a new grain line.
So creative Barb!
Woggy
Posted on: 10/23/15 11:58 AM ET
In reply to MNBarb
Do you have the book, Fitting & Pattern Alteration by Elizabeth Liechty & Judith Rasband? They give alteration directions on page 382 for hyperextended knees/prominent calves, and also directions on page 461 for larger calves. If you don't have the book, perhaps your local library has a copy.
In reference to her seam method, directions for larger calves, she has you cut the back paper pattern on the inseam seam line from the back hem to tip of crotch spreading the amount needed to increase, then tapering to crotch tip. On the outseam, she has you do the same thing but only tapering up to about mid thigh. Nothing is done to the front. You really need to see her illustration to understand it. It will make your pant leg a bit wider, but not bell bottom-like. Obviously, the above is the seam method, but she also shows the pivot and slide method as well as the slash method.
Edited for clarity.
-- Edited on 10/23/15 at 12:18 PM --
Posted on: 10/23/15 11:09 PM ET
In reply to MNBarb
Sandra Betzina uses the one on the left. The problem with the one on the right is that it won't hang correctly and it won't fit the front side seams. Blending that second cut would make it curved and longer than the front since a curve is longer than a straight line.
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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
Posted on: 11/14/15 9:08 PM ET
Very glad I found this topic! I not only have huge calves, but one is about 3 cm bigger than the other because of a shin injury when I was about 14. Honestly, one of the reasons I came back to sewing is because I have not been able to find pants that fit since this whole straight-legged thing became the only style sold in many stores. Thank you for posting the illustration & advice!
Posted on: 11/15/15 1:39 AM ET
I do the one on the left but not in one huge adjustment. Since I need *a lot*, I do it in two or even three smaller additions.
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Alison in suburbia - Sydney Australia
aka Bag Yoda
My sewing blog: http://nosilasews.blogspot.com/
My machines: Janome MC6700P, Janome MC6600P, Janome MC8000, Janome MC4900QC, Janome MC3500 (inherited from my mother), Husqvarna Rose, Janome My Excel 18W, Janome 534D & 2 x 634D overlockers, Janome Coverpro 1000CPX.
aka Bag Yoda
My sewing blog: http://nosilasews.blogspot.com/
My machines: Janome MC6700P, Janome MC6600P, Janome MC8000, Janome MC4900QC, Janome MC3500 (inherited from my mother), Husqvarna Rose, Janome My Excel 18W, Janome 534D & 2 x 634D overlockers, Janome Coverpro 1000CPX.
Posted on: 11/15/15 9:41 AM ET
In reply to goosegreen
Can you explain this in more detail please?
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Barb
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Thomas Edison
"I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow." Woodrow Wilson
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Thomas Edison
"I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow." Woodrow Wilson
Posted on: 11/15/15 7:44 PM ET
In reply to MNBarb
Ummm...I think so. Instead of cutting straight across as seen in that photo, my cut goes up past the knee & over to the side seam or inseam. I then add what I need at the bottom and it tapers up to the top. Repeat as required. 
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Alison in suburbia - Sydney Australia
aka Bag Yoda
My sewing blog: http://nosilasews.blogspot.com/
My machines: Janome MC6700P, Janome MC6600P, Janome MC8000, Janome MC4900QC, Janome MC3500 (inherited from my mother), Husqvarna Rose, Janome My Excel 18W, Janome 534D & 2 x 634D overlockers, Janome Coverpro 1000CPX.
aka Bag Yoda
My sewing blog: http://nosilasews.blogspot.com/
My machines: Janome MC6700P, Janome MC6600P, Janome MC8000, Janome MC4900QC, Janome MC3500 (inherited from my mother), Husqvarna Rose, Janome My Excel 18W, Janome 534D & 2 x 634D overlockers, Janome Coverpro 1000CPX.
Posted on: 11/16/15 7:55 AM ET
In reply to goosegreen
Thanks. I don't want to end up with a wider opening at the hem.
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Barb
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Thomas Edison
"I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow." Woodrow Wilson
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Thomas Edison
"I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow." Woodrow Wilson
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