Sewing Expo Classes - Fitting Accomplished: Pants

Friday late afternoon:

I was able to make it to my 2nd Expo class. It was "Fitting Accomplished: Pants" class with Cynthia Guffey. First off, I want to say that I would recommend any of Cynthia's classes. She has an interesting way of teaching...straight forward, direct, and makes sure you "get it". Personally, I found her class captivating. She definitely got my attention and the fitting techniques...well "I got it".

Cynthia demonstrated how to take the bottom half measurements (from the waist down). Basically, side seams, front and back, hip differences, and slopes. Also, waist to knee, finished length, crotch depth, and crotch length. She also mentioned using the flexible ruler to get the crotch curve, trace the ruler to paper, and then use your traced crotch curve to layover your pants pattern.

She also mentioned about using darts in pants. For round butts, use 2 darts. For flat butts, use 3 darts. Narrow and longer darts uses less fullness. Wider and shorter darts adds more fullness.

I learned a few things about the "wrinkles" in the front of pants. If I step forward and I see a "smile", my crotch depth is not deep enough or too shallow. If I see a "frown", my crotch depth is too deep. What I should be seeing is a "straight" break across.

I also learned a few things about the back of pants. If I see too much fullness, I need to adjust my hip curve. If I see a "pull up and down", I would have a flat butt. Wrinkles at the inner thigh, would need a tuck in the inner leg seam back. Cynthia actually demonstrated these techniques with a lady in class who made her own pants. We watched as Cynthia made the tweaks and tucks on the lady and low and behold...the lady's pants fit perfectly in the back.

She demonstrated how to make a waist yoke, for those of us who might have a narrow waist and wide hips.

Her final demonstration, was to make a pants facing that fits. This was very helpful after you make a adjustments to your pants pattern and add darts.

The class was only an hour long, but I learned a lot of wonderful techniques. Again, I highly recommend Cynthia Guffey's classes. An entertaining and enjoyable experience.



Saturday:

I was signed up for 3 classes on Saturday, two of them with Cynthia Guffey. Unfortunately, I hit rock bottom with my cold (2 weeks now) and could not attend. I coughed myself awake at 3am and woke up DH too. DH gave me OJ, vitamin C, zinc, and hot tea. He made me "first breakfast" and then off to sleep I went. I woke up hours later and just felt miserable. I had "second breakfast" then decided to stay indoors and well, keep quiet. You know I must be really sick if I can't attend my sewing classes. For some odd reason, I would every now and then look at the clock and say "Oh, I would be in this class by now". A real bummer.

I felt bad for DH, as I've been having these coughing attacks early in the morning for the last few days. He was one tired puppy yesterday. We were grateful to have a day of rest.



Sunday:

I've decided to remain quiet today and rest. I've got my sewing notes from class, my Nikon D40 field guide book, and chick flick DVDs nearby to keep me entertained.