I made some lounge pants from a sheet. A super soft sheet. Now I think I should go find some more sheets, or else I'll be wearing these everyday. I'm not completely happy with the fit. What is up patterns and high waisted pants? I do not wear my pants pulled up like Steve Urkel, but the major pattern companies seem to think I should. I made these from New Look 6060 specifically because the pattern jacket stated that they are worn 1 1/2 inch below the waist- they didn't say where the crotch would fall if they were worn 1 1/2 inch below the waist though. I ended up cutting about an inch off the top and they still ride higher than I wanted. Any suggestions on the best way to alter a pattern to lower the rise?
they are very cute! I have no pattern alteration advice whatsoever. sorry.
Posted by: amandajean | April 04, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Hey I think those are so cute! I have Amy Butler's book In Stitches and there is a pattern in there for wide leg lounge pants. I haven't made them yet but would like to - the pic in the book makes them look like they fit lower at the waist. I'm not an expert in pattern fitting, but I would think that cutting them off at the top would be the best way to make them lower at the waist. Anyway, I hear high waisted pants are coming back in style!
Posted by: Laney | April 04, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Cute lounge pants!
There's usually a horizontal line on the pattern, or a pair of lines that are labeled "lengthen or shorten here" or somesuch. You'll find them somewhere between the waist and crotch curve...Cutting off the top can change the outline and make an awkward fit on more tailored pants.
Posted by: Mary | April 04, 2008 at 07:36 PM
I have an old New Look pattern for yoga pants that I wore out with use, made a copy of, and therefore don't have the number for. It fits about 1.5" below my waist, but I've always done it with a 2.5" elastic so adjusting for that dropped the original waist somewhat. I'm not curvy, but these make me look like I am, with no alterations! I never get thast lucky! Good Luck!
Posted by: lisa powell | April 04, 2008 at 08:05 PM
The Amy Butler Lounge Pants are fabulous. Easy-peasy and easy to alter to fit.
Posted by: Jill | April 04, 2008 at 09:09 PM
Whoops. Sorry about the redundancy there. I'll proofread next time.
Posted by: Jill | April 04, 2008 at 09:11 PM
OH MY! That sheet is the same sheet set my daughter chose as her favorite when she was 2. It came with ONE pillow case, which she named "Rosie". I knew I was going to pay for it later if I didn't make her more. So I cut the flat sheet and made several pillowcases from it. Unfortunately, by the time I got around to getting them sewed, there was an obvious difference between the original and the ones I made.
All of my kids have had some sort of "flower blanket".
VERY very long way of saying that I love those pants. Let me know if you know where to find more of those sheets!
Blessings,
Karla
Posted by: karla ~ looking towards heaven | April 04, 2008 at 09:58 PM
I had those sheets as a little girl! :)
Posted by: Tara | April 04, 2008 at 10:02 PM
I love your pants. They look so comfortable & cosy. Nice job!
Posted by: Molly's Knitted Teddy Bears | April 04, 2008 at 11:20 PM
I love your pants. They look so comfortable & cosy. Nice job!
Posted by: Molly's Knitted Teddy Bears | April 04, 2008 at 11:21 PM
I love your pants. They look so comfortable & cosy. Nice job!
Posted by: Molly's Knitted Teddy Bears | April 04, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Oooo, they're very cute! I have a pattern for some lounge pants I've been wanting to make, but I never thought about using sheets! It's a nice idea, since sheets are always so soft.
Posted by: Gena | April 05, 2008 at 07:03 AM
Everytime we get that high waisted look around here, we refer to Steve Urkel too! I used to watch that show, it was hilarious.
Posted by: Yvonne | April 05, 2008 at 07:43 AM
You could try European companies patterns, we tend not to wear the crotch of our pants as low as in the USA anyway. Just a thought.
Posted by: Sally | April 05, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Just cut the extra off at the top of the pants pieces. I have done this with loose-fitting elastic or drawstring-waist pants, and it works fine. I love the floral print on these!
Posted by: katie | April 05, 2008 at 11:06 AM
They're so pretty! I have no alteration suggestions but I'd think you could just keep cutting off the top until they're low enough?
The sheet idea is genius!
Posted by: Anina | April 05, 2008 at 11:46 AM
What a wonderful idea using sheets! These are very cute; good job!
Posted by: Shannon | April 05, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Great bedsheet! I've been using the In Stitches lounge pants pattern, low rise, almost too low for this short gal. But they are soooo comfy & easy to whip up.
Posted by: Marissa | April 05, 2008 at 02:18 PM
No, I don't know but those are super cute! I'm gonna have to cut up some sheets myself.
Posted by: Knitsational | April 05, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Your lounge pants are very, very cute. I think the idea of using the sheet is excellent. About the pattern; they are made to fit a lot of different bodies, so people have different lengths from crotch to waist. You might want to measure yourself and make a pattern adjustment first. Then, you will have the size you want with bad memories of Steve Urkel - lol.
Posted by: Sheila | April 05, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Autum - do you have the pillowcases with those sheets? They would make pretty girly dresses!!!! I think you could just cut out an inch in the upper part of each leg pattern... just fold up the pattern a little on top next time you cut it out. I did that with some pjs I made for Christmas and they were great!
Posted by: Em | April 05, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Very cute pants!
Posted by: Kataliina | April 06, 2008 at 01:55 AM
great pants:) Rachael
Posted by: Rachael | April 06, 2008 at 02:41 AM
Shut-up! I just made some almost identical! Mine fit perfect because I copied the pattern from my favorite pair of Old Navy loungers- I know, I'm such a cheater! I love that sheet!
Posted by: Samantha | April 06, 2008 at 07:30 PM
I struggle with the same issue! The comments here for suggestions were very eye opening though!
I have some big news over at my blog too. If you have a moment, stop on by and take a peek. HUGS!
Posted by: Kristin | April 07, 2008 at 01:36 AM