Comments on: Anatomy of a Camel Toe pt.2

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:15:21 +0000

Just happened upon this website while looking for instructions about sewing in a lapped zipper… I’m an amateur home-sewer.

NOW I understand why my 7-year-old complains about her pants always giving her a ‘wedgie’ as we call it! I just thought they were too low-cut (don’t get me started on why they make LOW-CUT pants for the 5-10 year-old set!!!!) – but it’s the SHAPE and OVERALL LENGTH of the crotch seam that’s important. Since I have to hem all her pants up 6 inches anyway, now I can look for one with a better cut, regardless of length. THANK YOU!

I would love to see instructions on how to measure and hem pants to the correct length. I’ve been doing it by my own trial-and error, but would like to see how to do it properly! As someone else commented, I wish my home ec class had taught me some of these things!

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:47:24 +0000

Kite: Fwiw, I intended to change this, hesitation stymied by lack of a semantic substitute. Until others mentioned it, I had not known it was used as a pejorative. I don't know where or when I picked up this term but it was well before my majority. Re: non-whites speaking up about racism; this blogger illustrates comparatives (imo) that I would hope others agree provides useful context.

By: Kite

Kite — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:30:42 +0000

Great article, thanks. RoseMarie, I would assume that the same thing as the CT is going on at the back there – the crotch curve is too short and so the pants are forced in between the cheeks. The reason the crotch curve is too short is because too much fabric exists at the centre back – causing a tighter shorter curve. That fabric belongs closer to the hip. I try to get a crotch curve shape on paper that looks like the ideal shape that your pants would make from centre front to centre back when worn – which will differ with different styles, and skim the front and back nicely, not cut in.

Eric H – when someone non-white speaks up about racism towards their race, it is in my experience that almost always they have a valid complaint, so try to listen. Wong has a history of being used as a racist epithet (used in a speech by a former prime minister in my country actually) and I personally wouldn’t have used it as Kathleen has done here, as connotations still linger of cheap-and-dodgy-and-funny-and-asian. There are a million other terms one could use, and no, you won’t offend someone with most of them.

By: Jennifer Moriarty

Jennifer Moriarty — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 06:31:45 +0000

I definitely have the camel toe and wong issues. Plus a little bunching in the top back & front center waist. I’ve been trying to make a pair of short shorts with a 3″ inseam, close but not tight around body with a looser flare leg and everything points to the crotch. How can I improve the pattern before cutting my next pair of shorts. I’ve been using the Kwik Sew patterns for bikinis and shorts and it seems they all have the same camel toe “feature”. I’m having a hard time seeing /reading the illustration, poor eyes I suppose. So, how can I fix it on the tissue pattern, the designs are cute but the camel toe and wong have got to go. Especially since I intend on attaching a powernet lined panty. I for sure don’t want multiple layers of camel toe and wong.

By: Eric H

Eric H — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:29:18 +0000

Karen, I submit that when using a short euphemism for the male protrusion the alternatives to offending someone are to confuse or annoy them. Some non-offensive alternatives that would be confusing: "Be sure to avoid the Unit when drafting pants!" "We can clearly see that this causes Junk to accumulate." Huh? Others would be annoying: "Be careful not to create a weewee." What is this, kindergarten? Incidentally, I'm not sure whether peepee would fit in this category or the offensive-to-Asians category. So, what we're left with is the fact that all of the alternatives are probably offensive. Wang? Not only is there a computer company by that name, it is probably also offensive to Asians. Dong? Ditto, not to mention the reference to Long Duk of 16 Candles fame. Several people, notably former Congressmen by the name of Armey or former Clinton polster Morris, might take exception to the use of their first name. Likewise, Johnson, rooster (the other word), purple headed womb broom, and so on. So perhaps you should embrace the Wong, such as it is.

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 04:41:16 +0000

You should really consider why you use the name “Wong” , I personally find it offensive. I am of Chinese descent and this is my married name.
Are you pointing the mfgs overseas that are making millions of dollars and taking away
patternmaking jobs here in the US? Well, in that case you are probably correct…. but Wong is wrong.

By: Becki C

Becki C — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:49:28 +0000

I have read several of the many, MANY pants fitting books out there, and none of them explained this problem well. You actually explained it in a way that I can manage and fix! Now I can perfect a pattern and break into the good part of my pants fabric stash

By: Leora

Leora — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:26:38 +0000

Here is the answer to my curve/shape question. It is in the bend that good fit can be found. Many thanks!

By: Complex Curves. |

Complex Curves. | — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:35:50 +0000

[...] Kathleen at Fashion Incubator, for example, has two extremely interesting articles which explain why your trousers don’t fit. [...]

By: RoseMarie

RoseMarie — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:41:10 +0000

Hi Kathleen,
I have enjoyed your explanation of CTs. What about in the back? The pants cleave snugly between the buttocks, causing a bit of discomfort (not necessarily physically but because of perceived immodesty) and there is plenty of fabric between the offending seam and the side seam. What would be the fix for that besides a gusset? Is the back seam too short?
Thanks.
Rose Marie
PS I sent you a check earlier this year and it has not been cashed. I would like to donate to you to keep your blog going.