suprneko
09-21-2011, 11:07 PM
It is very easy to eliminate side seams on straight sided pants, shorts or skirts. This example shows pants but the same technique can be used on shorts, skirts and anything straight sided.
Here is a basic elastic waisted pant pattern. You should use a pattern that you like the fit of.
1) Mark seam allowance on side seams of both front and back.
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/suprneko/Elminating%20side%20 seam%20pant%20tutori al/GEDC2684.jpg
2) Overlap front and back at the side seam, matching at waist, hem and any notches. If the side seams are perfectly straight, the pattern will be completely flat and all you have to do is to trace the new pattern and you're done! Trace notches and markings as necessary. (As you can see, mine is not flat.)
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/suprneko/Elminating%20side%20 seam%20pant%20tutori al/GEDC2688.jpg
3) If the side seams are NOT perfectly straight, trace the front and back pieces like this (you will be making the waist and leg wider). The hip is aligned and you can pivot the waist or leg closer together or farther apart. You have to use some judgement here, if you make the waist closer to the original pattern it will widen the leg further. Measure the distance between the side seams at the hem, marked "A". (I apologize for the horrid sketch but you get the idea.) Do not forget to trace any notches or markings.
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/suprneko/Elminating%20side%20 seam%20pant%20tutori al/GEDC2706.jpg
4) Redraw the pattern like this. Take half the sum of "A" and widen the hem at the inseam by that much. Mark a new inseam from that mark to the crotch. Redraw the waistline. Draw a new grainline right down the center.
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/suprneko/Elminating%20side%20 seam%20pant%20tutori al/GEDC2708.jpg
5) Trace your new pattern and test it out.
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/suprneko/Elminating%20side%20 seam%20pant%20tutori al/GEDC2700.jpg
Success!
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/suprneko/Elminating%20side%20 seam%20pant%20tutori al/GEDC2710.jpg
Here is a basic elastic waisted pant pattern. You should use a pattern that you like the fit of.
1) Mark seam allowance on side seams of both front and back.
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/suprneko/Elminating%20side%20 seam%20pant%20tutori al/GEDC2684.jpg
2) Overlap front and back at the side seam, matching at waist, hem and any notches. If the side seams are perfectly straight, the pattern will be completely flat and all you have to do is to trace the new pattern and you're done! Trace notches and markings as necessary. (As you can see, mine is not flat.)
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/suprneko/Elminating%20side%20 seam%20pant%20tutori al/GEDC2688.jpg
3) If the side seams are NOT perfectly straight, trace the front and back pieces like this (you will be making the waist and leg wider). The hip is aligned and you can pivot the waist or leg closer together or farther apart. You have to use some judgement here, if you make the waist closer to the original pattern it will widen the leg further. Measure the distance between the side seams at the hem, marked "A". (I apologize for the horrid sketch but you get the idea.) Do not forget to trace any notches or markings.
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/suprneko/Elminating%20side%20 seam%20pant%20tutori al/GEDC2706.jpg
4) Redraw the pattern like this. Take half the sum of "A" and widen the hem at the inseam by that much. Mark a new inseam from that mark to the crotch. Redraw the waistline. Draw a new grainline right down the center.
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/suprneko/Elminating%20side%20 seam%20pant%20tutori al/GEDC2708.jpg
5) Trace your new pattern and test it out.
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/suprneko/Elminating%20side%20 seam%20pant%20tutori al/GEDC2700.jpg
Success!
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/suprneko/Elminating%20side%20 seam%20pant%20tutori al/GEDC2710.jpg