Replies

1. 
   TJ | Aug 07, 1999 07:38pm | #1

   *
   I think it would be easier to convert shorts to a skort. There is a lot more fitting in shorts/pants than in a skirt, so you might as well start with all that part done.

   I have a skort ("a pair of skorts"?) that I bought, which I thought would be easy to copy: they are shorts to which are added a pair of extra front panels, sort of like an A-line skirt in shape. The panels are attached to the shorts at the sideseams and waistband. The left panel attaches to the waistband as far as the fly-front underlap. The right panel extends beyond the fly-front closure; the extension then buttons onto the left side of the waistband and onto the left panel down the front. In other words, you have a pair of shorts, and you add a skirt front (in 2 pieces), attaching at waist and sideseams. Instead of buttoning all the way down, you could just leave it loose; it would look like a wrap skirt in front. I wouldn't have believed it would be so flattering, compared to shorts, but I like it!

1. 
   Bill_Stewart | Aug 22, 1999 12:17pm | #2

   *Leigh, there is a way to do it. It works best on a straight or A-line, so you have a straight up/down center F & B reference line. Sit on a firm chair and have someone measure from you side waist to the chair seat. this is crotch depth. on the side seam of the front pattern carefully measure down this distance and mark, mark again 1" to 1 1/2" below for stride ease depending on how easy you want the stride to be. using a square grid cutting table align center front on the vertical and the side lower mark on the horizontal. on the CF at the ruled line extend out from CF and mark a distance equal to 1/8 of the total hip measurement of the skirt. place the CB seam on the CF seam and match from the hem line up NOT FROM TOP DOWN. align the CB on the vertical on the grid and rule out at the mark the 1/8 hip total measure as on CF and add 1" as insurance. Turn a pair of pants one leg inside the other to see how to shape the curves on the F & B in the crotch area from the extended marks back into the respective CF & CB. TRY IN MUSLIN BEFORE YOU COMMIT TO GOOD FABRIC. You may need to tweek the curves or the 1/8 measure amounts up or down to fit the depth of your body from front to back as if you measured straight through your body. TJ's advice about starting with a good pant or short pattern is sound advice and is much easier to do. good luck Bill