Original Source for inserts:
http://www.getcreativeshow.com/seminars/elastic_inserts.htm
Original Source for this page:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_sewing_pants/article/0,1789,HGTV_3331_1395059,00.html
Tailored Trousers
Sew Much More : Episode SMM-160
Host Susan Khalje is joined by Kathy
Ruddy from Unique Patterns. Ruddy prides herself on designing
patterns and developing techniques that are unique such as adding
comfort to tailored trousers. A fine pair of trousers has a
clean line, falls nicely from the waist and includes tailored
details such as pleats at the waist. A fine pair of trousers
can also bind at the waist and be uncomfortable to wear. But
the French have found a way to add elastic comfort without sacrificing
style by incorporating elastic inserts at the side seams. Ruddy
demonstrates how to make a pair of comfortable tailored wool
trousers and how elastic comfort can be added to virtually any
pair of tailored trousers without detracting from their sleek,
sophisticated look.
) | )  Figure A |
Here's the story of how Ruddy found this look. "Wandering through the waterfront market in Marseilles, France, on a recent vacation, I saw a man wearing a fascinating pair of slacks. The pants were fully tailored front and back, but directly above each side seam, at the waist, was a deep, flat, V-shaped elastic insertion. I was so taken with this approach to adding comfort to trouser waists without spoiling the smooth elegance of a traditional waistband finish that I could barely wait to get home and try it out. These pants are the result, adapted to a woman's figure, and they've proven as comfortable as they are sleek."
Materials:
pants pattern with normal belted waistline, Unique pattern #5031, or pants to alter
2-1/2 yards (45" wide) or 1-1/2 yards (60" wide) pant-weight fabric
elastic wedges (cut from 6" elastic, 3-3/4" at the top and 1-3/8" at the
bottom)
7" zipper
thread
two buttons (1/2- to 3/4-inch size)
twill tape or fusible straight stay tape
soft fusible interfacing like Textured Weft
French curve ruler
pattern paper
See-Thru ruler
permanent felt marking pen and soap
Tip: If you own a finished pair of pants that is too tight in the waist, slit through the waistband above each side seam, open the side seam to a point 5-3/4" below the top of the waistband, fold back the raw edge of the waistband, pin the elastic wedge into place, and edgestitch.
Steps:
1. To create the elastic waist insert, mark (using soap as a marker) a right angle for the center. For the 2-1/2 inch measurement across the top, mark 1-1/4 inches on each side, adding 1/8-inch seam allowance for the bottom. Be sure to add seam allowances on each side (figure A) and cut out the elastic inserts. Tip: One yard of elastic should make six inserts.
2. Converting pants pattern:
a) For a pants pattern with a waistband, the waistband will be eliminated and an inset opening will be created in step #3.
b) The pattern requires cut-on fly facing. If it has sewn-on facing, convert to cut-on facing by pinning onto the pattern.
c) For inseam side pockets, convert to slanted pockets or eliminate pockets entirely.
3. To create the elastic inset opening, remove part of the pants pattern by measuring and marking new sewing guide lines at 1-1/4 inch at the waist, 5-7/8 inches down on the side seam, and allow for seam allowances (figure B). Do the same for the back pants pattern; this makes room for the elastic wedge insert (figure C) . Cut pattern pieces according to pattern instructions with the new side seam shape at the waist. Transfer the markings and darts to the fabric.
) Figure B | ) Figure C |
4. To finish the pants waist, create front and back facing. On the front and back, fold all pleats and/or darts to final size. Place pattern paper over each pattern and trace one facing, extending 4 inches deep at the center front and center back, and 8 inches deep at each side seam. Using a French curve, connect these points with a curved line, and transfer markings and grain from pants to facings to create a waist facing pattern piece (figure D). Transfer markings and darts to fabric.
) Figure D | ) Figure E |
5. Create a front waist tab (figure E) pattern. Using a See-Thru ruler on pattern paper, draw three parallel lines, 1 inch apart, making a beginning zero point line and a 2-3/4 inch parallel line, and a 3-1/2 inch line; then join the pieces (figure F). Cut the tab and interface, mark, stitch, trim, turn, and add a buttonhole.
) Figure F | ) Figure G |
6. Interface all facings either completely or along the top edge to a depth of 2 inches (figure G) and interface the fly extension.
7. Stitch all darts, pleats, and pockets on pants front and back, and join back pieces at center back. Press towards center. Tip: To keep the waistline from gaping, top stitch pocket top about 2 inches down from waistline (figure H).
) Figure H | ) Figure I |
8. Attach tab just below the waistline by marking the center and the seam line (figure I). Pin and stitch tab to extension vertically at center front.
9. Attach zipper, but don't topstitch until facings are attached.
10. Stitch side seams up to insertion point and back tack.
11. Insert 6-inch elastic inset. With right sides together, pin and stitch inset to pants front and back, with top edge of elastic flush with waistline. Stitch from waistline front and waistline back to elastic insertion point.
12. Using fusible tape or basted tailor's tape, stabilize the waistline of facings just below the waistline.
13. Join all facings with right sides together at side seams, up to insertion point.
14. With facing wrong sides together over pants front, fold front edge of facing to clear zipper teeth, mark fold line and corresponding seamline on zipper tape. Turn facing to right side, pin and stitch right sides together to zipper fly and trim. Attach front facings to insets, with right sides together and pants inside out, and backs underneath facings but not caught in stitching. Stitch facing to pants from insertion point to insertion point across front waistline.
15. To attach back facing, with right sides together and pants inside out (and fronts underneath facings but not caught in stitching), stitch back facings to pants from insertion point to insertion point, across back waistline.
16. Stitch the center back seam, trim, turn, and press facings to wrong side. Topstitch the zipper through all layers and around top edge of pants 1/4 inch from edge and attach button.
RESOURCES:
Trousers--Unique Patterns (Model #: 5031)
Unique Patterns system: purchase a membership to Unique Patterns, take a series of 43 measurements. Send these measurements back to Unique. The measurements are stored until you order a pattern. Once you have ordered, Unique uses these measurements to draft a pattern to your measurements.
Unique Patterns Design Ltd.
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Canada
Phone: 902-492-0100
Toll Free Phone: 800-543-4739
Fax: 800-292-4331
Email: info@uniquepatterns.com
URL: www.uniquepatterns.com
elastic - Live Guides
Elastic for the insert comes in two forms:
By the yard - One yard makes 6 pairs of inserts
By the kit includes one pre-cut pair of inserts plus instructions
Elastic comes in black only. It is used as an accent and will go with any color.
Live Guides Inc.
10306 64th Place W.
Mukilteo, WA 98275
US
Phone: 425-353-0240
Email: kathyruddy@prodigy.net
GUESTS:
Kathy Ruddy
Educator, fitting expert, designer / vice president of Unique Patterns Design Lt. / president, Live Guides Inc.
Mukilteo, WA
Phone: 425-353-0240
Email: kathyruddy@prodigy.net