Well, I've picked up the fabric and prewashed. (I can't believe how hard it was to find a nice shade of khaki in cotton/twill). Took some measurements last night and if I use Alan's plan to measure at the navel for my waist, then my waist is 38 and my hips are 40 - basically, I'm a column!

Can anyone tell me is 2 inches of taper sufficient? In the plans Alan says most men have 8" of taper. Or should I do as Sydne suggests and make my hips equal to the back of my backside and the front of my frontside?

Thanks again for your guidance. I may get out my wife's sewing machine this weekend. I think she is looking forward to this ... and standing there laughing at me.