Waistlines tips

Nancy Moore

One reason the culottes may be too long in front is that her waistline is lower in the front - common with many plus sized women. Because the waistline is lower the culottes/pants/skirts - anything that hangs from the waist-hangs longer in the front. This is one of the premises Connie of Fashion Patterns by Coni has based her line on. Have you ever seen men with a larger abdomen and their pants rest below the abdomen? It is kind of a paradox in a way because we do indeed have more of a "mountain" to cover and the more "mountain" there is, more fabric is needed to cover the length. However, if the person has a low waistline, the waistline counteracts this to some degree.   Anyway, one solution is to lower the front center waistline tapering to nothing at the sides. I make this alteration for myself and lowered it by cutting it 4" lower (for my individual measurements) beginning at the center front, tapering to nothing by the time I reach the side seams. It really works. The amount to be cut away varies with the person's size. You can test it before cutting and before the waistband is attached by placing elastic around the waist and adjusting the length at the top. After the hemline is even all around, mark the new waistline seam with pins or marker (don't forget to add back in the 5/8" seam allowance), then cut off the excess before joining the waistband. Hope this helps.