AKA: The search for the perfect pants.
I took my best-fitting pair of RTW pants (a Black Poly Jessica Petite from Sears) and my most promising Trouser style Pants pattern with a contour waistband (McCall's 4926) and compared the two. Mostly the shapes were similar, except that my RTW pants matched with different sizes at different points in the McCall's pattern. I altered the McCall's pattern to match my RTW pants, with the exception of the leg width (I wanted a leg that went straight down from the hip for using with stripes and plaids, which was the leg drafted on the McCall's pattern - the Jessica pants tapered in a bit to the knee and then straight down).
I cut a pair out of a heavy poly crepe I wouldn't miss if it didn't work out, but would have the body not to cling too much, and sewed them up with my fingers crossed, omitting the pockets and beltloops in order to focus on fit. A couple minor adjustments while sewing, and they're already better than anything I could get off the rack. I can't wait for the next pair!
