StyleArc's Lily Ski Pants Fit, Mostly.

Warning, horrifying fit photos to follow. Sometimes you've got to show your panties in order to help a fellow sewer with her fit. So I hope these pics don't scare you off and if I've offended you, I'm sorry. My goal is to help you, not terrorize you. (Sorry about the mirror shots, but you get the idea.)

Before cutting these out, I laid them on top of the legging pattern I made from Style Arc to see if I needed to do any alterations. They looked like they would need some length, but I wasn't sure how much would be needed. After cutting out and sewing up the muslin in a fabric with the same stretch as my final stretch denim, I got a much better idea on how much more length I would need. The center front looked good because a 1-3/4" waistband was going to be added to the top. The sides, however, needed about 1-1/2" longer to come up to my waist. Don't forget that I'm only 5'1" tall so that's a lot. These aren't sold as being low waisted, but trust me, they are!

I already know that my center back is a whole lot higher up than my center front so before I cut the muslin I added 1" to the center back on the yoke only. Obviously it wasn't enough. I wound up also adding 1-1/2" to the top of the pants in the back and kept the 1" in the center back on the yoke as well.

Because of my high full rounded back hip, I rounded up what I added to the back over my cheeks. This sort of gives me a princess seam over my high hip. Did you think the yoke was only for looks? No! It's a great place to add more fabric for those love handles. :D

My pattern alterations were a success. See how they come all the way up to my waist on the front and sides? I'm thinking that if I used the recommended fabric of a 4-way stretch knit, I wouldn't have had so much trouble getting them up to my waist. I might have added some, but not as much as I did. However, this pattern looks more like a jegging, which is why I sewed them up in a very stretchy denim. Obviously I omitted the fake zipper pockets the pattern has you add. The last thing I need is attention on my belly with pockets that don't work anyway.

With my alterations, the pants now come up to my waist in the back. However, there are still problems. Specifically, all the wrinkles under my cheeks. I'm not sure what's going on here. It apparent that the back leg has too much circumference, but I think there is also too much length. I don't mind the circumference so much, but I think I'm going to play with these to see how I might address the issue in my next pair. The problem might just go away if I make them in a less stretchy fabric. This pair feels a tiny bit too large everywhere. Maybe if I just use larger seam allowances. I'll have to experiment.

You can see the length issues in this side view. (Please ignore the giant belly that returned after my MIL died. It will be going very soon, I hope!) Lots of drag lines pointing to the back of my leg and the baggy knee tell me that there is too much length in the leg. Any suggestions on how to get rid of this problem? I have some ideas, but since I'm going back on my low carb diet, these pants fit fine for the moment.

I even plan on wearing them out of the house once I put on some make-up and brush my hair.