Gee I felt I cheated when I made a dart in the center back of a pants waistband. Well, it used to feel like cheating. Now, none of my adjustments are cheats - just clever solutions to a 3D puzzle.
I find that I need a contoured waistband when it's lower on my body, and straight can work when it's higher. Some of your examples are very interesting - will look at them more closely!
You're right, it's not exactly a curve, The center back is at a slight slant and this slightly reduces the length of the upper edge of the waistband relative to the lower edge which is what a curved waistband does. It is verysubtle hence the paper model so you can check it out.
The first time I discovered contoured waistbands, it was a total aha! moment. Since then, they’ve been my go-to. It just makes sense for a waistband to follow the natural curves of our body instead of fighting against them.
I never thought about the fact that a narrow straight waistband on a pant with darts is very similar to a contoured waistband on a pant without darts. I’ll definitely try it and see the similarities—such a great insight! Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely agree! I would add that it is not just the shape of the pattern piece that follows the body but also how the fabric behaves when under the pressure of performing the job of the waistband. Similar with the narrow waistband, it depends on how it is constructed. I remember a while back seeing a great series of images of Lizzo standing and sitting in the same denim shorts and you could see that the waistband was cut straight but also that it had flexibility and could crease up in sitting and this is what I am going for this time.
Gee I felt I cheated when I made a dart in the center back of a pants waistband. Well, it used to feel like cheating. Now, none of my adjustments are cheats - just clever solutions to a 3D puzzle.
Agree, you have made a profound observation here.
I find that I need a contoured waistband when it's lower on my body, and straight can work when it's higher. Some of your examples are very interesting - will look at them more closely!
That makes sense and between the width of the waistband and how it is stabilized there are so many variables!
Love this post! However, I do not see the slight curved line on CB with the V2004 pattern, even with your illustration. 🫣
You're right, it's not exactly a curve, The center back is at a slight slant and this slightly reduces the length of the upper edge of the waistband relative to the lower edge which is what a curved waistband does. It is verysubtle hence the paper model so you can check it out.
The first time I discovered contoured waistbands, it was a total aha! moment. Since then, they’ve been my go-to. It just makes sense for a waistband to follow the natural curves of our body instead of fighting against them.
I never thought about the fact that a narrow straight waistband on a pant with darts is very similar to a contoured waistband on a pant without darts. I’ll definitely try it and see the similarities—such a great insight! Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely agree! I would add that it is not just the shape of the pattern piece that follows the body but also how the fabric behaves when under the pressure of performing the job of the waistband. Similar with the narrow waistband, it depends on how it is constructed. I remember a while back seeing a great series of images of Lizzo standing and sitting in the same denim shorts and you could see that the waistband was cut straight but also that it had flexibility and could crease up in sitting and this is what I am going for this time.
Brilliant and insightful as always Ruth!
Thank you so much, you are very kind!