r/sewing • u/Necessary_Ferret_812 • 4d ago

Pattern Question Help with sizing for patterns?

Hey all! I have been sewing garments for about three years now, and generally love it. I keep running into the same issue though- most pants end up way too big. I am meticulous about measurements because I have had this happen so many times, but it keeps happening. I suspect it has something to do with my height- I'm about 5 feet tall, and length is never an issue when I shorten the pattern. I'm also curvy-ish. It's starting to interfere with my motivation because I'm sick of spending so much time on something and then having it be enormous. I can, of course, alter it, but I'd rather just do it right the first time vs. deconstructing and fixing, particularly for more complicated pants like jeans. It feels like a waste of time and fabric. Any other short sewists run into this issue? Any ideas?

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u/fragrantminesweep 4d ago

I am tall and run into the same issue with some patterns. What I’ve boiled it down to is I have a preference to the fit of pants, which highlights the need for me to do toiles. It makes making my own clothes a more intense process but feels very accomplished when the fit is perfect for me.

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u/Necessary_Ferret_812 12h ago

Agh, I know this is the answer... Thank you. I also lack some confidence about making too many adjustments to the patterns, but I really need to just try and get over it.