A question I’ve been getting a lot is how to lengthen or shorten the Flint pants to full length or maybe even a bit shorter. Great news my friends: it’s easy!! Do you love it when I say that? Because I love saying it!
How much you need to lengthen your pants will of course depend on your own height and personal preferences, such as, do you want your pants to hit your ankles, be worn with flat shoes or high heels etc. If you currently have long pants that you like the length of, I would recommend measuring the inseam and using that as a starting point. But I’m going to give you a few numbers as a guide based on what we draft for.
The Flint pants currently have a finished inseam length of 24″ (61cm). If you are roughly the same height as my fit model Ashleigh who is 5’9″ (175cm), then you would need to add 6″ (15cm) to achieve a 30″ inseam which is equivalent to a pair of jeans worn with flat shoes. To wear with high heels, you may need to add 9-10″ (22-25cm), depending on how high you wear your heels, and how much of your shoe you want to be covered.
Your choices for altering the pattern itself include either lengthening at the hemline or slashing and spreading the pattern in the middle. Given the pants are already very wide leg, I would recommend slashing the pattern at the shorts cut line, and spreading it there, rather than lengthening at the hemline which would result in an even wider pant.
The method is simple. Trace your pattern to preserve the original. Cut along the shorts variation line and spread the pattern by your desired amount. Place additional paper in the gap and tape the pattern back together. Draw in the seamlines, and cut away the excess paper. You will need to perform the same adjustment on the front and back pattern pieces.
Similarly, to shorten the pants you would cut along the shorts line, then overlap the pattern by the desired amount, tape back together, then true the seamline and trim any overlapping paper. Alternatively, you could shorten the pants at the hemline if you would like to remove a fraction of the volume, and result in a straighter leg with less hem flare.
LOOKING FOR MORE FLINT POSTS?
Here’s the full list of Flint tutorials:
- 5 ways to transfer pattern markings to fabric
- How to lengthen or shorten the pattern (this post!)
- How to remove release tucks and convert your pattern to a flat front
- Inspiration, fabric ideas and optional ideas for customising your pattern
- Release tucks and darts
- Pockets
- Sewing seams
- Sewing the tie waistband View B & View D
- Sewing the button up waistband View A & View C
- Hemming
Don’t have the Flint sewing pattern yet? Get it in store here! We absolutely love seeing what you make, so don’t forget to tag your creations with #MNflint and @megannielsenpatterns if sharing on social media.
Don’t have the pattern yet?
