
It’s finally here! The Zen Pants Sew Along starts today and we couldn’t be more excited. Sly Fox Fabrics is our sponsor for this sew along, so look for a prize from them at the end of the week. Before we get started, I want to take a moment and talk about fit and why it’s important to make a muslin.
What is a muslin and why make one?
A muslin is a practice run or sample. It’s as simple as that. Its importance is based on the fact the every. single. body. is different. It’s true, our bodies are not cookie cutter shaped. If they were, designing patterns would be easy and making them would be even easier.
I don’t know about you but one of the reasons I started sewing for myself was, not only were store-bought clothes low quality but they never fit properly and I was, physically, uncomfortable all the time.
What’s the point in making my own clothes if they still don’t fit properly? There, I said it. Now, I know that it can be hard to find the right fit, especially when making pants. I also know that I don’t have all the answers. Shockingly, I don’t know it all. For this reason, we’ve banded together as a team to be as helpful as we can be to you, so you can get the fit you deserve.
So, I’m going to share a few blog posts with you regarding fit. The first link you’re going to see below is for our Pants Fitting Guide. Jessica and Rachelle spent tons of time researching and finding best practices to achieve the fit everyone longs for.
FIND THE PANTS FITTING GUIDE HERE

Second, Rachelle has been very kind giving us an entire post on The Foil Crotch Curve Method. There are some of us whose crotch curves are very different than standard drafting. If you have attempted smaller adjustments to your muslins and you feel that although the fit is ‘better’ it’s not where you want it to be, this method can be very illuminating.
FIND THE FOIL CROTCH CURVE METHOD HERE

Finally, while I know that the Full Tummy Adjustment is included in the Pants Fitting Guide, we did a Sewing School a few years ago that might be helpful to some.
FIND THE SEWING SCHOOL: FULL TUMMY ADJUSTMENT HERE:
Okay, I think it’s time to get started! If you don’t have your pattern but still want to join us, don’t worry. There’s still time. Get your pattern HERE!
I produced an Introduction video to explain what we’re doing this week. Check it out:
Let’s get the party started with Day One!
Don’t forget to post your Zen Pants Sew Along DAY ONE progress HERE for your chance to win a $10 5oo4 gift card.
Next Month, April 2020, we’re planning a Camilla Cowl Top & Dress Sew Along and we hope you’ll join us there too. We’re hoping for a new Sew Along every month so keep a look out for all the exciting things! See you next time for all the fun!
As always, we’re here to help if you need it! Join us HERE and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, and Pinterest. We’re everywhere you are.
First of all, Laura you are a wizard at cutting things out! The paper & then the fabric! So quickly! And you used scissors & not a rotary cutter! So that was cool. 2nd what fabric are you using for the waistband? I like to use something with structure like cotton Lycra, but it looked like you might have used something softer like a French Terry. Would that even have enough structure for a waistband?
First, Thanks! Second, I used a heavy Cotton Lycra for the waistband. I generally use whatever the main fabric is and I know others have used heavy French Terry but there is 1/2″ elastic in the waist so that helps a bit. I do agree that a more structured fabric with great recovery is best for waistbands, though. Hope that helped.