How do you prevent knees from bagging in knit pants? Sharon L,
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To help prevent the fabric from stretching at the knee when bending or sitting, add a sew-in knit interfacing or a woven lining fabric to the area on the garment wrong side. Pick an interfacing or lining that is lighter or similar in weight to the knit fabric.
When sewing the pants, determine the knee line on the front pants pattern. Then draw lines 5" above and below the knee line, extending from the side seam to the inseam. Place pattern tracing cloth over the pattern and trace the area, including seam allowances (6).
Cut two pieces from the interfacing or lining using the pattern. If using lining fabric, finish the upper and lower edges. Attach the knee linings on the wrong side of the pant legs by basting with a 1/4" seam at the edges. The upper and lower edges aren't attached to the leg (7). Then construct the pants following the pattern guidesheet.
For ready-to-wear pants, turn the pants wrong side out and smooth out the pant leg front on a flat surface. Cut a piece of sew-in interfacing or lining a little wider than the pant leg and 10" tall. Place the interfacing over the pant leg in the knee area and pin at the side seams. Turn the pants over and sew along the original seam to anchor the interfacing at the sides. Trim the interfacing even with the seam allowances.
This information was current when published in the January 2004 issue of Sew News. No guarantee is made regarding availability. Stay up-to-date with current sources by subscribing today!
