I'm not sure if I just don't understand, but I suddenly have a hatred of sewing patterns.

[midnightmommy]

So my husband and I bought fabric this weekend and a pattern to make me a skirt. I didn't look that closely at the size chart. I guess I should have though! In ready to wear I'm an eight or ten depending on the day of the month and how much I've been working out. According to the simplicity chart I'm a twenty! I worked really hard to get down the weight I'm at, and holy cow does that make me feel terrible. Not only that but I'm wondering if we'll have enough fabric now.

[hildare]

yes, they really vary widely from what you're used to buying off the rack. 

if you really wanna have some fun try to be a slightly larger mama lusting after vintage patterns.  the sizes are even more different.

[sewchris2642]

Unlike RTW (ready to wear), pattern sizes correspond to a set of measurements.  RTW sizing has a lot more to do with price than to body measurements.  And body shape has a lot to do with sizing as well.  So even if you buy the size pattern for your measurements chances are you will have to adjust the pattern to fit your body shape.  And the fewer pattern pieces there are, the greater the chance that the pattern won't fit right.  If you don't hve one already, I recommend you get a good basic sewing book.  I highly recommend The Bishop Method of Clothing Construction.  It's out of print but you can buy used copies on Amazon.http://www.amazon.com/Bishop-Method-Clothing-Construction-Bryte/dp/0397401302  I own the 1959 edition.  It covers everything from what tools and equipment to buying patterns cutting out, making basic garments (blouse, skirt, dress), fitting, pressing, tailoring.

My last bit of advice is to practice, practice, practice.  And always strive to get better.

Chris

[EmTheWife]

My philosophy of pattern purchasing is to buy 10 "sizes" larger than whatever I or the person I am sewing for wears...I've found it pretty accurate over a range of pattern makers.

[ms.shell]

10 sizes larger sounds excessive to me.  In RTW I am a size 6, but pattern measurement charts always tell me I need a 14....but then a 14 is always too big.  I usually make a size 12 pattern for myself, but if it is a top or a dress with a bodice then I need to make the top even smaller than that (nobody told me that my boobs would disappear after nursing, lol)!

[Adaline'sMama]

Yep, when I got married I was a dress size 8, but my wedding dress pattern was a size 18. It made me feel huge.

[FarmerBeth]

I think it's because some of the sewing patterns go by the old sizing system from the sixties and seventies. My Mom has "size 11" dresses from the late sixties or early seventies that still fit her, and she currently wears a size zero.

[Adaline'sMama]

It makes it really creepy to know that people then considered a size 6 to be "perfect". That would be like a size -5 at least.....

[cameragirl]

Vogue patterns are HORRIBLE with sizing. I made a muslin of a dress for my sister, only to discover that the size was actually several smaller than the sizing chart claimed it to be. Simplicity much better, but still not what you'd see with ready to wear.

Oh, and it is perfectly normal to curse at sewing patterns. I swear that the folks that write the directions like to frustrate us that sew at home.

[sewchris2642]

Originally Posted by cameragirl 

Vogue patterns are HORRIBLE with sizing. I made a muslin of a dress for my sister, only to discover that the size was actually several smaller than the sizing chart claimed it to be. Simplicity much better, but still not what you'd see with ready to wear.

Oh, and it is perfectly normal to curse at sewing patterns. I swear that the folks that write the directions like to frustrate us that sew at home.

I don't think that the people who write the directions know how to sew.  My first experience with patterns was a Barbie doll pattern.  I still have it (mid 60s).  The directions are clearer than the pattern I just bought for Halloween costumes.

[cameragirl]

Originally Posted by sewchris2642 

I don't think that the people who write the directions know how to sew.  My first experience with patterns was a Barbie doll pattern.  I still have it (mid 60s).  The directions are clearer than the pattern I just bought for Halloween costumes.

I don't either. I remember sewing a fleece jumper for my niece, and by the time I finished, I never wanted to see it again. The Sewing For Dummies pattern instructions aren't too bad. Luckily I know enough to mostly skip the instructions and just figure out in which order to sew the pieces.

[FarmerBeth]

Originally Posted by cameragirl 



I don't either. I remember sewing a fleece jumper for my niece, and by the time I finished, I never wanted to see it again. The Sewing For Dummies pattern instructions aren't too bad. Luckily I know enough to mostly skip the instructions and just figure out in which order to sew the pieces.

Second this!  The best option of all is to get a good dress form or old sixties books on pattern drafting (there's good new ones, too, but i really have had luck with yard sales) and figure it out minus the pattern.  For years i was designing my own dolls and doll clothes and making my own knitting patterns, and I still had this phobia of sewing without a pattern.  I've started to get over it so that I can sew for my daughter and Halloween costumes the last few years, and it's very liberating!