How to Alter Sewing Patterns for Shorts and Pants
Join Ellen March as she demonstrates how to make a pair of comfy lounge pants and alter them for the perfect fit. Starting with a commercial pattern, she’ll provide her tips for modifying any pattern for pants or shorts to your measurements and style. Use this helpful instruction for your next project!
7 Responses to “How to Alter Sewing Patterns for Shorts and Pants”
Explore videos by Ellen March
Popular Sewing Videos videos
Premium Membership
Unlock exclusive member content from our industry experts.
- 24/7 Access to Premium Sewing Videos, Projects, and Tips
- Step-by-Step Instructional Demos, Patterns, and Tutorials
- 50% Off Video Downloads Purchased in the National Sewing Circle Shop
- Access to Ask the Expert Program
Unlock exclusive member content from our industry experts.
- 24/7 Access to Premium Sewing Videos, Projects, and Tips
- Step-by-Step Instructional Demos, Patterns, and Tutorials
- 2 Full-Length Video Downloads to Watch Offline
- 50% Off Video Downloads Purchased in the National Sewing Circle Shop
- Access to Ask the Expert Program
Gold Membership
$362 Value
Get everything included in Premium plus exclusive Gold Membership benefits.
- 24/7 Access to Premium Sewing Videos, Projects, and Tips
- Step-by-Step Instructional Demos, Patterns, and Tutorials
- 8 Full-Length Video Downloads to Watch Offline
- 3 Full-Length Quilting Classes to Keep for Life
- 6 Printable Sewing Guides and Patterns
- Discounts on Purchase-to-Own Content in the National Quilters Circle Shop:
- Access to Ask the Expert Program
- Exclusive GOLD LIVE Streaming Events
the tip to stitch in the ditch on the seams after elastic is inserted is great! I often have the problem of elastic that rolls and this will help prevent that. Thanks for the video!
Is there an equation for measuring a comfortable waistband elastic,
ie. do you measure a snug waist and reduce that measurement by a general number or a percentage?
Pattern seam/hem intersections should ALWAYS be at right angles. Otherwise your hemline is going to have an ugly point. The way this flare is drawn will simply not work when it comes to hemming. Is that why sewing the hem was not shown on this video?
This was useful – thank you!
The first pattern: the hemline will end up having a point at the outseam because of the acute angle it makes. Maybe that is why she did not show how to finish the hem.There are ways to fix it. The instructor tried to do a better job on the adult size pants by curving the side seam so that it intersects the hem at a right angle, but the side seam ended up crooked.
If an alternate sequence is followed, it could be easier to sew the crotch seam, especially the tiny sizes. Sew in the order: (1) inseam (2) crotch seam and (3) side seam. No bunching up!
Also there is a easier way to sew small size pants if you (1) sew the inseam (2)
Thank you for the great hints, especially sewing the elastic at each seam. Would keep it flat as you mentioned and keep elastic evenly distributed and won’t bunch up.
this video is not working, even after i’ve reloaded your page. maybe i’ll try it again later…