adjusting a ready made shorts pattern with front pleats for large tummy

Dear mollybrown,

 

To adjust a ready made shorts pattern with front pleats to fit a larger tummy, you can let out from the intake of each pleat, and also increase the crotch length at the top from the center front, merging it gradually towards the side seams. This will help accommodate a larger tummy.

 

If you want the intake of the pleats to remain the same, you can draw a line between the front pleats from the waist to the hemline of the shorts. Now cut this line and add a strip of paper in between, keeping the two sides parallel to each other and tape the strip of paper in place.

 

To know how much you need to add to the pattern, you should measure your waist and upper hip circumferences first. Then measure your pattern to see how much you need to add. Remember that you should add half of the amount needed to the front pattern, as you will lay your pattern on folded fabric.

 

Here you will also need to increase the crotch length at the top from the center front, merging it gradually towards the side seams.

 

It is better to test the fit of your shorts using muslin or a similar inexpensive fabric. 

 

 

Happy sewing,

 

 

Nehzat