I just completely ripped out the last 4 hours of sewing!

[temom]

You want to talk about frustrated! Ugh. I feel like Lennie's Avatar!
I'm working with Simplicity 3796. I ever so carefully took my measurements 3 times. I was between two sizes, but since my waist is so stinkin' big I went with the larger size. I cut everything out a few days ago, and this morning at 10:30 I started to sew. Granted, it takes me a while to figure out what the instructions are saying. But I was determined to follow the directions, and not make it up as I went. I found a few problems when I did this, and had to recut 2 pieces, but that was ok. The front and back didn't match up, but I made it work. Then I saw how huge these things were! I took them in 3 inches and that made them look better, except for all the excess fabric I now had. So I just ripped out every seam and topstitch (I left the button holes). I'm going to recut it. By taking off 1.5 inches on the outside seams, it measures 3 sizes smaller. There is no way that I would be able to wear that size in another pattern. My original cuts were accurate, as I just used the largest size on the pattern. Dang, but I'm frustrated!

[Magot]

I feel your pain....

[MartySews2]

Theresa, always look at the finished garment measurements when looking at the size. These pants have a lot of ease (almost 6 inches) according to the pattern back. You probably could have gone with a much smaller pattern size. Also, remember these are to be worn 1 inch below the waist not at your actual waist. I'm not a fan of styles like this.
Marty

[temom]

Well I recut them 3 sizes smaller. This time it took an hour and 45 minutes, and included all the topstitching and hemming. I had cut them too long, and had to cut 4 inches off the bottom before I could hem them.
Here is a link to the pictures: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=5274&p=77861#p77861

[bridesmom]

But you did it and they fit! Congratulations on getting through it all! I have learned to always buy according to my hip measurement and I can easily adjust the waist, much easier than trying to adjust for the hip. Sewing for grownups is much harder than sewing for little people I find.

[temom]

Laura, you aren't kidding about how it is easier to sew for the little people, except for the shirt I just made for Nellie. She is an 18 inch doll. Dang it is hard on your eyes!

Marty, I didn't have a good guesstimate of how much ease i should have in the hip. Can I just measure the hip area of something that fits me, and use that as a guideline?

Meanwhile, I took in 2 pair of rtw shorts that have become a bit loose. I have finally gone down one size!

[MartySews2]

Theresa, here is a link on how to determine ease in a garment http://petite.about.com/od/customfashio ... echart.htm and http://petite.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/X ... /ease.html Hope it will help you for future projects. Congrats on the weight loss.
Marty