How to Make a Crotch Curve Template with a Bendable Ruler & Use it to Adjust Your Pants Pattern

This week on Fit Tip Tuesday, I'm diving deep into the bendable ruler crotch curve template. I was really curious to see if I could improve the fit of my Sorcha Classic Slim Trousers using a template of my crotch shape. I ordered a 36" bendable ruler and I gave it a try. I used it to adjust my personal pattern pieces. I also wanted to see if the bendable ruler could help fit a part of pants for my daughter Anna. Join me to see what happened!
00:00 Intro
00:51 How to use an L-Ruler & a Clear Grid Ruler to Measure Your Depth
02:44 How to use a Bendable Ruler to Make a Crotch Curve Template
06:32 How to use the Crotch Template to Adjust the Pants Pattern
07:00 Anna's Crotch Curve Template made a dramatic change to the pattern
08:45 Photo showing how my pants fit after adjusting the crotch curve
09:30 Photo showing how Anna's pants fit after adjusting the crotch curve
11:00 What's up next on Subscriber Q&A and Outro

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[crisheadley]

I know you've already had a long career in the sewing, pattern-making and pattern-fitting industry and I love how you still experiment!

[InsaneSalti]

Great Video, Jen. That's what I've always wanted to do. But here is a little Tip: When you draw along the bendable ruler, the correct line is on the inside of the ruler, which is the side that touches your body when you measure.

[momzilla]

BOOM! I ordered by 36" bendable during the first Covid Lockdown, and was disappointed that I could not keep track of the beginning
and end points. Tin Foil markers! Oh baby I love you!

The L Ruler is called a Carpenter's Square. I have two of them. One is so heavy it could be used as a weapon and isn't easily knocked out of place. My magnets are from the 1990s and work just as well when using plastic rulers to hold!

Now for the big question. I've been trying to learn how to use the bendable ruler to gauge the real back neck width.
When you have tiny shoulders, we need to squeeze out every millimetre we can to hang that Fabric from!

I know I'm behind in lessons. Needed to let the Culture Shock of our post Pandemic wear off before taking up Geometry again.
Love you J. You are keeping me Sane.

[pamackenzie]

Thank you for these videos - I'm finding them very informative and helpful. I use something called a Multi Angle Measuring Ruler to do what you are doing with your L ruler and your clear grid ruler. They're carpenter tools. They screw together at the ends, or at any point along their length. You can also fix them at angles to measure things like shoulder slope.

[SparkyOne]

Every short pattern I made, the back crotch was too short. I used rolled up aluminum foil to get my back crotch curve. Once I saw my low butt, I drafted and made a muslin with a foil form. Now I have shorts or pants that fit perfect!

[Patty.]

All I can say is, WOW! I’ve been intrigued with pants fitting for years. Thanks for this!

[wholovestrees]

Using the metal ruler for the crotch depth is genius! Thank you for this.

[maryb.c.]

I think you cracked the code with this idea. Just compared the flex ruler curve to my fit muslin and I can see some changes (lowering bottom) that I know will alleviate the fitting issue I still had (where and how much to scoop). Whoa! You are brilliant.

[tanasuesews]

You are our R and D Queen, Jen! I had hoped the bendable ruler would help me and now I know how to use it! When one likes adventure and discovery, finishing projects is a challenge when another one looms ahead! You are a gem.

[darshnarach]

Omg i just found your channel.. how fab is this. I will be sharing this to my fitting group.

[kaszaa]

If you go to the dollar store or a hardware store, they have a multisize pack of “O” rings. I use them to slide on the bendable ruler. They stay in place and slide easily.
Also I bought a second L ruler and use ponytail hair ties to hold them together. It’s then so easy to measure depth of waist.

[baileyb]

Omgosh, you simplified that so well for a newbie and the examples really helped me visualise it. I am now subscribing to learn all the things!!😊

[LindaH]

Excellent information as always. I have had the bendable ruler for years but always thought it was too short to do a crotch curve. Guess I need to purchase an extended model.

[lynnshepard]

Genius, Jen! I was using my flexible ruler last night but kept flubbing up because I was trying to mark the points with my finger, pull out the ruler, and then read the measurements. 😂 What a great solution to use the foil to mark those measurements. Using the SewTites is a wonderful way to keep the shape in place. Why didn’t I think of that? 🤣 Tips like these are why you’re such an epic teacher! Thank you so much! Now off to order the longer ruler…

[laurahovey]

I know you said you were going to do additional changes for your daughter’s pants, I’m curious what you did to remove the folds coming from the side seam around the hip to the center… I have a very flat bottom and when I tried this I got those same folds but not sure how to fix that.

[karenfrances]

I love the idea of a bendable ruler, but it seems like no measurements were needed. I wonder if you could use a thick wire instead? It may retain the shape better.

[dianemontavon]

great video, thank you. I must be blind because I don't see the link to the magnets. Was wanting to check them out.

[katieteach]

Hi, Jennifer. Great technique for more accurate crotch fitting. I’m on of your students in Kansas City and really looking forward to your pants class. I’m wondering if you are bring some of the 24” crotch curve rulers to the class? If so I’d live to get one/buy one from you there instead of sending it to Oregon and then I won’t get it before the class. Thanks, KT.

[patriciaspillane]

Hello! Do you happen to have a tutorial on adjusting ready to wear dresses for being short waisted and adjusting ready to wear tops/dresses for narrow chest/shoulders and large bust? Thank you!

[christinabarnes]

Hi I am trying to understand how you can take your crotch depth around your waist. I thought u have to sit in a chair and measure from your waist down to the chair. Can u explain?? Thanks