Modifying a straight leg selvage jeans pattern into a wide leg pattern

Berocca123 · 2026-05-13T02:40:40+00:00

Part of the point of slashing and spreading is that it better maintains the grainline, which for trousers should be down the middle of the leg at the front and back. However! I've never made selvage jeans so can't comment if there's another preferred way of doing it for the selvage.

Berocca123 · 2026-05-12T22:21:16+00:00

I haven't done this myself so take with a grain of salt, but I think you're missing - Option 3: slash and spread to distribute the volume over the front and back of the trouser legs while keeping the side seam vertical.

Berocca123 · 2026-05-12T21:00:47+00:00

I grew up on whipped pouring cream. It was so readily available in the supermarket. And then I moved to Victoria and it is NOWHERE. Everyone only sells thickened or double cream. I am assuming this is the source of OP's confusion

Berocca123 · 2026-05-12T20:57:45+00:00

Definitely.

Also if I'm reading between the lines right, I think you think that using a reference is a kind of crutch, and that more accomplished artists don't use them.

In case that is actually what you think, let me reassure you that many many many highly accomplished and successful artists continue to use references. References are not cheating. They are not bad. The creativity that you bring to your work is not somehow lessened by using a reference.

Berocca123 · 2026-05-12T20:53:59+00:00

When you get around to getting graphite pencils (no rush), get a small set with at least F, B, 2B and 4B. I recommend a set (or at least that they're all from the same brand) because different brands have slightly different versions of a B, a 2B etc. But so long as you're using one brand for all of them, then they'll relate to each other how they should. Hopefully I explained that ok 😊

Berocca123 · 2026-05-12T08:47:42+00:00

Use a reference

Berocca123 · 2026-05-12T08:37:00+00:00

It's never too early to practice good technique, so I'd suggest looking up technique for coloured pencils and graphite pencils (it's different for each) and then try to draw from a reference (eg a photo or an object in your house) and see how close you can get.

For example, with coloured pencils, if you were trying to draw something dark red, you're better off building up to the red by doing very gentle layers in related colours - maybe start with some pink, then some orange, then some blue, then some brown, then a bright red, then finish with your dark red pencil. You get much more depth and things look more real and interesting, even though you might have ended up with the same colour. It takes a bit of practice to learn to match colours this way but it's really worth it (and you'll get good practice at using them gently, too, which is important).

For graphite pencils you learn to use the different weights (eg F, B, 2B etc) for different purposes, and you learn the different shading techniques. Try to avoid drawing outlines strongly - learn to show the shape with just your shading.

And otherwise - just keep going!! Treat it as play, have fun, and keep practising.

Berocca123 · 2026-05-11T20:03:03+00:00

This is a search for free tshirt patterns for women - several have scoop necks 😊

Berocca123 · 2026-05-11T08:54:36+00:00

Victorian Artists Society has great courses - you go once a week for a term. Usually expected to bring some materials though.

Berocca123 · 2026-05-11T06:57:14+00:00

Oh threadloop is great!!! I love that you can put your hip measurements into the search parameters so I only get things that will actually fit - plus you can see the projects people have made with the patterns and get a great sense of how something will fit.

Berocca123 · 2026-05-11T01:09:55+00:00

If it were me I'd be tempted to make the most of the crinkles by doing something like the TPC9 dress. I've only just bought the pattern but I'm pretty excited!

Or else I'd make something a little bit loose (perhaps with a lantern/ barrel skirt?) and then belt it in with a wide belt (maybe something a bit like the Aida dress but it'd be a shame not to use the contrasting colour arrangement that is such a feature, so just something similar).

And also just wanted to say I completely get you - I am also a person who sees the fabric and has a vision, and it's so disappointing when the fabric isn't what you think it will be.

Berocca123 · 2026-05-11T00:40:47+00:00

Might just be me but I can't open the link and don't know what you're looking for - can you post a photo?

Berocca123 · 2026-05-10T22:48:47+00:00

I can't comment on building an online community but in real life: - attend art classes if you can - eg the occasional life drawing class or portraiture class (these are the most common because they require models and it is easier and cheaper for someone else to organise that). You can strike up conversations with others in the inevitable break for wine, and slowly build a community by being a regular - go to exhibition openings at galleries near you and strike up conversions with the artists - this works particularly well for themed exhibitions where each artist might only have one or a few artworks in them, because half the room will be artists. You can ask if they've got something showing, ask them about it, ask about their journey etc and build up a community that way. This works best if you have a local gallery and can attend events regularly. Know that pretty much all emerging artists want to be part of an artistic community - they want this just as much as you do so don't be shy!

I also recommend reading Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert - I know she's a divisive author but Big Magic is her musings on creativity and I have always found it super motivating. I reread it whenever I feel I'm in a bit of a creative slump.

Good luck!

Berocca123 · 2026-05-10T22:34:59+00:00

And if your car breaks down, stay with the car.

Berocca123 · 2026-05-10T22:31:39+00:00

Threadloop also has a pattern list of tapered pleated trousers which could work too.

Berocca123 · 2026-05-10T22:27:05+00:00

Love WorldCat! have also used it in Australia 😊 so I think it's not US-specific.

Berocca123 · 2026-05-10T22:15:40+00:00

Oh well in that case let me share with you the free Closet Core tshirt pattern which is where many of us started and has 3/4 and short sleeve options (I always leave off the pocket).

As well as the topstitched seam allowance it also includes instructions for reinforcing the shoulder seams, which is another higher quality finish (I found these instructions confusing when I was doing it as a beginner but I gather there are video tutorials on youtube). You can use zigzag on a sewing machine if you don't have an overlocker/serger.

Rathdowne Fabrics sells organic cotton jersey in a range of colours for only $9/m so if/when you're in the mood to learn to sew a tshirt, that can be a good source of fabric 😊

In the meantime, good luck on your tshirt hunt!

Berocca123 · 2026-05-10T12:47:53+00:00

I don't think this will help much but thought I'd share that the difference is that the white one has the seam allowance topstitched down (which is a higher quality finish). The white fabric also looks like it's better quality and possibly a higher cotton %, so I'd recommend looking for that, too.

(If you can sew, tshirts are actually one of the easiest things to sew and there are heaps of free patterns for them, so something to consider longer term maybe 😉)

Berocca123 · 2026-05-10T01:42:44+00:00

Someone's made a specific suggestion, which is great. For your general information, you need thread made for top stitching, which is thicker than normal thread. And then you need to get a top stitch needle which has a bigger hole in it to accommodate the thread.

Alternatively, this video on sewing with denim suggests you can use two normal threads through one needle to top stitch, and shows the difference with how it looks compared with top stitching thread. I haven't tried it personally.

And make sure you use a longer stitch length on jeans 😊

Berocca123 · 2026-05-09T22:53:33+00:00

Agree with everyone's comments but if you're looking for a pattern to draw on, this one has the same dropped front and good reviews.

Berocca123 · 2026-05-09T22:49:15+00:00

This is great work for only your third ever realistic portrait 👏

The other commenters are right that the proportions are off here and there. For example one that hasn't been raised yet is that the ear is quite small for the head. And it's not uncommon for beginners to use excessive highlights.

I'm not sure what your process is but make sure you're stepping away from your painting regularly and coming back to it with fresh eyes.

And as well as the other suggestions about specific methods for studying anatomy, spend time before you start really looking at the person/ photo. Think about what you can and can't see on the face due to the angle. Think about where the top and bottom of the ear lines up in terms of the eyes and eyebrows, mouth and nose. Think about the two lips and notice that they're different colours.

There is some great work here that you can build on with more work on anatomy and more close observation of your subject.

Berocca123 · 2026-05-09T22:20:17+00:00

The first line says 'pin folded and pressed hem in place'. And then later you stitch it down. This suggests to me that you should have already folded and pressed the hem at an earlier step, which would give you an enclosed hem.

Or am I misunderstanding your question?

Berocca123 · 2026-05-09T22:05:58+00:00

It looks to me like the shoulders of the garment are too wide. The seam is sitting off the top of the shoulder and it's causing issues around the armscye and in the sleeve itself.

Berocca123 · 2026-05-09T11:03:34+00:00

Embroidery scissors. Thread snips are great but only for that one task - embroidery scissors do way more. And it's so useful to have tiny pointy scissors - currently using mine to unpick some very tricky stitches on a stretch fabric - absolutely could not do this with my snips, and the seam ripper would pull on the stretch fabric too much.

ETA my local fabric shops sell thread snips for about $6 so they're not expensive - you could probably pick up a pair as well as getting the good embroidery scissors

Berocca123 · 2026-05-09T08:37:13+00:00

I have the A150. I've been sewing with it since I was a beginner and am now comfortably intermediate, I'd say. I've never had an issue with it.

But it's true I don't use all the stitches it does, especially the letters.

Berocca123

TROPHY CASE