When choosing patterns, try to ignore the fabrics and colors used in the pictures or drawings on the envelope. Focus on the overall design of the items. Look at the shape of the pieces, the location of seams and how the pieces are put together. The line art can be especially helpful.
Looking at
Simplicity 2449 view A, you might be put off by the turquoise and rattan. But remember that you get to choose your fabrics and colors! If you look at the line art, you can see how the skirt is put together - it's multiple panels making a flared skirt. There is even an option to bustle up the skirt. By using gothy fabric(s), you can create a skirt that barely resembles the pattern envelope's photo but is identical in construction.
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| Turquoise and rattan = not very goth |
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| Line art shows the construction of the skirt. |
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| the skirt made in a bat print cotton alternated with solid black |
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| same pattern made in black and purple panne velvet |
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| same pattern made in a skull print cotton alternated with a stripe cotton |
Let’s say you love Lip Service’s Devil Dolls III Starlight Rocker dress but can’t find it in your size. (In my experience, if you're bigger than a size 6, you're usually out of luck with Lip Service.) Check out
McCall’s 5094. At first glance, it’s a cacophony of pastels and florals. But look at the lines and you’ll see that the basic shape of view A isn’t entirely unlike the rocker dress. Sewn in black fabric, with ribbon trim added over the bust and waist seams, and worn with a tulle petticoat peeking out, it would be very similar.
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| So breezy! So pastel! So not goth! |
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| Line art shows a shape not unlike the Lip Service dress. |
Let's say you love the style of WahMaker's Victorian frock coat but you want it in purple. Alas, it is not offered in purple. Look at
Butterick 4929. The shape of view B is similar.
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| Line art indicates a shape similar to... |
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| this lovely frock coat. |
My problem isn't following the lines- it's the "well, I can just alter X, Y, and Z..... and then I've wound up making it more difficult than simply drafting a pattern from scratch.
ReplyDeleteOn a related note, I should post pix of my altered vintage-style apron. Inverted scallops look an awful lot like batwings. For the record, inverting a scallop is damned difficult.
I am not good at visualizing extensive alterations to a pattern. I mostly stick to skirts when sewing for myself because any top, jacket or dress pattern would require too many alterations to accommodate my height, long arms and broad shoulders. :/
ReplyDeleteWould love to see the apron. Scallops (and inverted scallops) do indeed require precision with the many curved seams and points.
Nice tip. I really want to loose weight so I can sew lovely clothes. It's not fun to sew tent like dresses. Its so annoying because Ive always been "normal sized" until this last year.
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling! It is not a good one. I gained 25 pounds last year, and even thinking about sewing was depressing. :( Finally, my situation was resolved, I stopped stress eating, and the weight started to come off. Now I'm having a hard time *not* sewing! The local fabric stores owe me thanks for a couple months of banner sales. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm tall too, I always have to alter any pattern I'm using anyway, so I took a costuming class at the local CC to get a foundation of how garments are constructed. It's all pretty intuitive, although I've seen some patterns that are just convoluted. It's as if the pattern designer uses a different sort of geometry than the rest of us.
ReplyDeletePics of the apron over on my lil corner of the interweb.
ReplyDeletehttp://tantefledermaus.blogspot.com/2011/10/festive-attire.html
I love your blog! It's the best and so inspirational!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much! I'm so glad you like it. :D
ReplyDelete