Crafty Thread - what are you working on at the moment?
- Thread starter radio_atomica
- Start date
Maybe, or try princess line, if the panels on the dress you like are vertical.
If you want to avoid darts, look for princess line (the bust shaping gets done with curved panels instead) and if you want it lined, look for a "lined shift dress". HTHa lot of the patterns seem to have darts to shape
Biddlybee
making knots with sticks
ok, one more question, then I'll go off and search...
is there an advantage to using panels (princess) over darts? if it's all one colour you can't notice the shape of the panels, so is one style stronger or just quicker?
(bugger, I've just realised my fabric is very patterned, so might not have enough to match the panels anyway
)
is there an advantage to using panels (princess) over darts? if it's all one colour you can't notice the shape of the panels, so is one style stronger or just quicker?
(bugger, I've just realised my fabric is very patterned, so might not have enough to match the panels anyway
)
No problem. Have fun wearing the end product (when you get that far).
If you haven't done darts before, I'd steer clear. Marking them can be a bit of a pig, but it's down to preferences. Panels make it slightly easier to adjust where your bust line is in relation to the armhole, I think. Wayward bob's probably a better person to ask about this.ok, one more question, then I'll go off and search...
is there an advantage to using panels (princess) over darts? if it's all one colour you can't notice the shape of the panels, so is one style stronger or just quicker?
(bugger, I've just realised my fabric is very patterned, so might not have enough to match the panels anyway
Maybe 2 patterns, and 2 dresses?I have done darts before, I was thinking more about the fit and the hang, and whether that might be down to the panels?
Darts would make more sense with the material I've got, hmmmmmm.
Boudicca
Seaside Queen
If you ignore the rather dodgy jacket, I think this could be about right:
http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v1237-products-14148.php?page_id=865
http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v1237-products-14148.php?page_id=865
wayward bob
i ate all your bees
the fit will definitely be down to the construction bee (as well as the drape of the fabric) - how the grain line runs on each piece will affect the hang/cling in various places.
darts are a piece of piss
you just have to remember to shorten the stitches right down when you come to the point and press over a curved surface (rolled up towel). princess line is slightly trickier because where there's shaping (bust, waist, hips) you're sewing two curved sections together, but one curves out and the other curves in. there are various techniques to get that spot on usually involving stay stitching which is a line of stitching 1/8 out from the seam line that prevents stretching on the outer curve and can be used to snug up the inner curve if required. there's plenty of tutorials around and i can dig you one up if you like.
if you're trying to replicate the fit of the dress i'd recommend starting with a pattern and choosing fabric to work with that, rather than working back from the fabric, as it sounds like it's already different enough (drape, pattern) that it's bound to alter the end result. so my advice would be pick another pattern to work with the fabric you have and find something spot-on for the remake of the dress.
xxx
darts are a piece of piss
you just have to remember to shorten the stitches right down when you come to the point and press over a curved surface (rolled up towel). princess line is slightly trickier because where there's shaping (bust, waist, hips) you're sewing two curved sections together, but one curves out and the other curves in. there are various techniques to get that spot on usually involving stay stitching which is a line of stitching 1/8 out from the seam line that prevents stretching on the outer curve and can be used to snug up the inner curve if required. there's plenty of tutorials around and i can dig you one up if you like.if you're trying to replicate the fit of the dress i'd recommend starting with a pattern and choosing fabric to work with that, rather than working back from the fabric, as it sounds like it's already different enough (drape, pattern) that it's bound to alter the end result. so my advice would be pick another pattern to work with the fabric you have and find something spot-on for the remake of the dress.
xxx
Biddlybee
making knots with sticks
It's not far off, but I'm after a slightly higher neckline, sabrina (?)
Aye, I've not had problems with darts before, well I had to learn how to do them, but was wondering if it was as straight as 'darts are stronger' or 'fit shape better' than panels iykwim?the fit will definitely be down to the construction bee (as well as the drape of the fabric) - how the grain line runs on each piece will affect the hang/cling in various places.
darts are a piece of piss
The dress I'm making in a couple of weeks has a princess bodice (now that I know what princess line is
), my bust and waist are very different dress sizes so I made up a toile for the bodice and pinning it together was a bit of a bugger. Def is some stay stitching in there, but not had a chance to read through all the instructions... so will be interesting trying to make it!As much as I want a shift dress in my tall ship fabric I think you might be right... for the hang and the fit, a thin cotton just isn't going to work. So, backing up to my post yesterday, I'll get on the hunt for the pattern I want (might even have a rummage through my MiL's stash). But also need a pattern for my lovely ships, don't really fancy the simple summer dress pattern I have...
Cheers for all replies... feel like I've gone round in a little circle, but have got a few questions answered with your help, so ta
wayward bob
i ate all your bees
everything depends on the skill of whoever drafted the pattern tbh, alongside the techniques used in construction. this is why i love vintage patterns quite so much. i've had much better luck with fit from original vintage patterns (not the reissues). i'm guessing because home sewing was so much more popular then that a) the user was more skilled, and more familiar with complicated techniques and b) there was a greater value on the skill of the draft, rather than just the eye appeal, yunno?
so i know it takes a lot longer but i'd recommend mooching around etsy and the vintage pattern sites and nosing around the blogs: sewretro's great as is the "what have you made" thread on the fedora lounge: some patterns are pretty common so chances of catching one on ebay in your size (or near enough) is pretty high
eta: if you're working from originals it's really handy to have a sewing book from around the same time as they generally cover the techniques you're likely to find in the patterns. they come up all the time on ebay
wayward bob
i ate all your bees
whats your vital statistics lovely? (pm if you'd prefer 
)
)
wayward bob
i ate all your bees
small boobs, big bum
that says forties to me: do those styles appeal at all?
patterns were made in all sizes: from slip-of-a-girl to doughty matron
but the larger sizes were more likely to be reused, which is why they sometimes appear less often as second hand patterns. but one glance at the stuff on the fedora lounge in particular tells you there are patterns/styles to fit/suit pretty much everyone out there and you don't fall as far as you think from the average
wayward bob
i ate all your bees
i have a whole boxful of 60's & 70s patterns you can rummage through
RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
patterns were made in all sizes: from slip-of-a-girl to doughty matron
I don't think that's true at all. It's only in the last 10 years or so that there have really been any patterns at all available above about an 18, AFAIR.
wayward bob
i ate all your bees
they certainly did exist even if they may be fetching a premium second hand these days.
ooh i'd not seen she has new patterns: she's more into 30s stuff as a rule but this looks like a really cute 40s one
(can't comment on how well they sew up but she's a decent seamstress and afaik she reproduces original patterns just grades them up for you)edit2: this is cute as fuck too
wayward bob
i ate all your bees
i luuuurve shirt dresses, and most 1940s day dresses are pretty much variations on that theme
wayward bob
i ate all your bees
the pattern for my mushroom dress any use to you? actually, you could always try it on and then say
actually, you could always try it on and then say
Biddlybee
making knots with sticks
this might keep me busy for a while: http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Dresses
wayward bob
i ate all your bees
piping: think i added that don't think its on the pattern. and easy enough to leave pockets off and no not lined: i has a posh slip
and no not lined: i has a posh slip 
