[sophie]

I need some help in the sewing arena. Growing up I made all my own clothes, but I could cut out the pattern for the corresponding size and it always fit like a glove - never had to make changes to a pattern in certain areas before.

So, after many years of not sewing I've been making dresses for the pups. So I've dragged out all of my sewing equipment and have set up my son's room as my sewing room and am having the time of my life.

Anyway, as I learned to sew from my mom and my grandmother who both worked a fabric store (boy do I miss those days lol) I thought I should teach my daughter to sew. So, today we went to JoAnn's fabrics and she picked out a cute pattern for a strapless sundress and some adorable fabric. When we were having the fabric cut the girl (who went to school with my daughter) says we may want to get a little more fabric to allow for my daughter's rather voluptuous top half. lol I hadn't even thought of this. Nicole is very petite otherwise - just enhanced if you know what I mean!

So, any tips on how to enlarge the pattern without ruining it and throwing everything off? Where do we add this allowance? I'm not sure if the top has darts or not. The top, of course, is forming fitting. I figure I could use this advice for when I make myself some slacks, too! :w00t:

And, what is it with the price of fabric??? And, I almost fainted when I saw some patters were $15 and up!!! Simplicity and McCalls to boot! After we bought material, a zipper, elastic, and some hook and eyes she could have bought a dress already made!!!!

Thanks!

Linda

 

[sophie]

Hello? Anybody?

Linda

 

[Harley & Dakotas Mum]

Sorry Linda, I cant follow a pattern to save my life!! LOL I just make it up as I go along!

 

[Canada]

No help here either.
But I got a machine last year and have been collecting patterns for the pups.
One day I will learn how to us it!
I think it's nice that you're sewing with your daughter.

 

[EmmasMommy]

Okay this is what you do. You buy white tissue paper.......like you put in presents. You measure your daughters bust (widest part) Then look on the pattern and note what they say is the bust measurement. If its an empire style ( one top piece) - cut the pattern in 2 and piece in extra tissue to widen the top by the difference. If the pattern says 34" and add 2 inches to the front- pin the extra to the reg pattern- you could also adjust the darts- if you are confident then take the pattern and hold it up to her ( have her wear a bra that she would have on) and make sure the pattern extends to the side seam meet area. The back probably doesn't need adjustment.
If the dress is all one piece you can add a long pie shaped tissue piece. Just split the dress down the middle and pin it the added tissue to expand the section to accommodate the tatas.
Fit the tissue patterns on your daughter and make sure the fit is good before you cut the fabric and you will be really happy with the custom outcome. And glow with pride.
By adding width topattern pieces or pie shapes in certain cases, you should be able to alter a dress for a great custom fit.

Good luck

Cat

 

[sophie]

Thanks! The pattern actually has a front and back panel and two front side panels and two back side panels. With two front seams going straight down the middle of the "tatas." lol And this is an "Easy" pattern. lol I think I'm going to go with the pie shape insert. Do you think I will have to split the pattern from top to the bottom hem? What are my chances of just splitting it from the top to about the waist area - do you think I'll end up with puckering if I do it that way?

Thanks!!!

Linda

Okay this is what you do. You buy white tissue paper.......like you put in presents. You measure your daughters bust (widest part) Then look on the pattern and note what they say is the bust measurement. If its an empire style ( one top piece) - cut the pattern in 2 and piece in extra tissue to widen the top by the difference. If the pattern says 34" and add 2 inches to the front- pin the extra to the reg pattern- you could also adjust the darts- if you are confident then take the pattern and hold it up to her ( have her wear a bra that she would have on) and make sure the pattern extends to the side seam meet area. The back probably doesn't need adjustment.
If the dress is all one piece you can add a long pie shaped tissue piece. Just split the dress down the middle and pin it the added tissue to expand the section to accommodate the tatas.
Fit the tissue patterns on your daughter and make sure the fit is good before you cut the fabric and you will be really happy with the custom outcome. And glow with pride.
By adding width topattern pieces or pie shapes in certain cases, you should be able to alter a dress for a great custom fit.

Good luck

Cat

 

[sassy's mommy]

You should only split the pattern as far down as you need the fullness. If you don't need any at the waist then make the fullness only at the bust area narrowing down to the natural pattern as you cut. With the princess seams that you described you may only need to add fullness to the outter most panel.

 

[Katkoota]

Can I join your daughter in Linda's sewing class?

I am no help here, but at some point (about a year ago), I considered to learn how to sew; read online and learned through reading about the basics to sewing, sewing machines and basic stuff like that. Then asked mum (one of her hobbies was sewing when she was in her late teen and early twenties) to teach me, but then I got too busy with other stuff - free time was used by doing other activities. I wonder if I will ever get the "learning to sew" commitment. I really think that it is awesome and love the fact that you have the time for that, are having a blast and thinking of teaching your daughter ^_^

have fun

hugs
Kat

 

[LJSquishy]

I do not know how to sew, so I can't help with the pattern altering, but Vogue, McCalls, Simplicity, etc patterns go on sale for 99 cents and $1.99 each sometimes throughout the year periodically at JoAnn's, Hancock, etc.

 

[sophie]

Thanks, everyone. I'll let you know how this comes out - just waiting for my princess to wake up! I plan on letting her do everything. lol

 

[Morkie4]

If you wait until patterns go on sale at JoAnn Fabrics, they have Simplicity patterns for 99 cents up to 10!!! THAT'S when you buy patterns. :thumbsup:

 

[Delilahs Mommy]

Good luck! I bought a sewing machine right after Jackson was born and collected so many different quilt panels. But guess what? Still sitting in the foyer closet! I wish I knew how to sew. I want to learn so bad, need to sign up for a class I suppose.

 

[sophie]

If you wait until patterns go on sale at JoAnn Fabrics, they have Simplicity patterns for 99 cents up to 10!!! THAT'S when you buy patterns. :thumbsup:

Thanks for the tip! I used to get the coupons, but must have been taken off the mailing list. They always had great 40% off coupons. I signed back up.

My daughter although she has never sewn has bought bulk material over the internet for the dance team costumes, etc., so she is going to show me some of the websites. She said I might be able to buy cheaper from them - she said they may sell small amounts and that they will send swatches.

Plus, she said she remembers going to a warehouse to choose fabric, but she can't remember where - Mississippi maybe? She said the prices were very reasonable and even better they had every fabric you could dream of having!!!

Linda

 

[sophie]

Good luck! I bought a sewing machine right after Jackson was born and collected so many different quilt panels. But guess what? Still sitting in the foyer closet! I wish I knew how to sew. I want to learn so bad, need to sign up for a class I suppose.

I have a great book that explains everything - even has pictures - haven't looked at it in a while though. I'll pull it out and let you know the name. I think you could teach yourself if you don't take classes.

My mom and grandmother basically gave me a machine, some material, a pattern and said "make it." LOL It's when I have to start adjusting things I run into trouble. lol

If you start with one of the easy patterns for a skirt or something simple it should be pretty easy. They even have patterns for tote bags and purses now! I was amazed. I'm so out of the loop! lol

Linda

 

[Lacie's Mom]

Gosh this brings back memories. When I was in High School I used to go to the fabric store just about every Satursday and get fabric and a pattern and make myself a new dress to wear on a date that night. I would change the pattern around to make the dress uniquely my design.:thumbsup:

Then I didn't sew for years -- just too busy with work. :blink: When I "retired" and moved here, I wanted to have very long drape panels made for my new house (12' ceilings). When I priced them, I decided that they were too expensive and that I could do them myself. I was living in Southern California at the time and went to the fabric district and picked up beautiful chenile for a song. Sewed the drapes, valances, pillows, etc.,etc. and rediscovered my love for sewing.:chili::chili:

When I started buying dresses for the Maltese, I couldn't believe the prices :smilie_tischkante:and decided to make some myself. Well, one thing let to another, and I was hooked on sewing again. :aktion033:

But, the prices of fabric, patterns, notions, etc. have gone up sooooooooooo much. I could never afford to make a new dress every week nowdays.:w00t:

I think you've gotten great advice on how to alter the pattern for your daughter. I'm good at doing the alteration, but terrible at explaining how to do it which having someone watch what I'm doing.

I'm sure the dress will turn out beatifully. Please post pictures.

 

[heartmadeforyou]

I am just getting back into garment sewing and am working on learning how to draft my own patterns. There is alot of great info on the web and I think this site will help you with your fitting problem. Full Bust Alterations (or Adjustments) ~ FBA Sew,Mama,Sew! Blog

Have fun!