Sewing clothing, adjusting patterns

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Patchouli

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When looking at my skirt pattern, I see the difference in each size. I may have bought it too small and I only need to go up 1 size, can I use the size difference I see on each size pattern to adjust up 1 size?
I'm not paying for that pattern again!
Thanks for any pointers.
Have you ever used faux suede to make skirts? Any pointers?
 
I don't make clothes @Patchouli but logic would say if you measure the difference between each size and adjust it up like that you will probably be close to your size.

However it might be an idea to make sure with someone who makes clothing before you cut it out so as not to waste your fabric.

@Patchouli good to see you back and missed seeing you here.
 
Yeah. Remember the gauchos Linda Evans wore in the Big Valley as Audra Barkley?
I have seen patterns like that, but I'd like to see something with more fabric to the legs, so that you really would think it was a skirt. A little too much fabric for Texas weather maybe.
The patterns I have are more contemporary but I like them a lot. Need to get some western boots!
 
Well, Patchouli, I don't know why I didn't respond when you first posted this. Yes, adjust by the amount of space between the lines.

I met a woman who told me she doesn't cut her pattern to the size, she folds and cuts where the line is so that she can reuse the pattern in different sizes. That may work, but is difficult to be accurate. Another thing is to use butcher paper, or end rolls of paper, brown paper, and use the original pattern to copy and make copies in the various sizes needed or desired. The original pattern can stay in tact. I think I would use a fine point Sharpie pen to draw it onto the paper by laying down the pattern on the paper and drawing on the lines that will go through to the paper.

Suede: I don't know about your suede, but some fabrics can have a knap to it. Corduroy, velvet, velveteen and some suede does. When I was in junior high, I made a corduroy skirt. The front went one direction and the back went another. You could see the difference at the side seams. It was my first experience with corduroy, and I always learned from making mistakes. There was no one who helped me. To prevent a problem, you need to look on the back of the envelope where it often tells how much more fabric you need if you are working on fabric with a knap. You usually need a little extra fabric so that you can lay out the pattern with the top of the garment always being in one direction and the bottom of the garment pieces always being in the other.

I would love to see photos of your creations.
 
aw thanks, @Weedygarden . Yeah, I think I mentioned something about knap in another thread. The patterns look fairly easy, then why haven't I made it yet?!! oH, THE ZIPPER. That is a small problem for me and how I ruined the first skirt; luckily, it was not the faux suede skirt. No, the reason I ruined it was because ... I removed the zipper for some reason. Big mistake. did i already mention this...

I will post photos of finished creations, when, not if, I get it done. Most of my skirts are not for cold weather, so I really need something besides slacks and jeans.
 
aw thanks, @Weedygarden . Yeah, I think I mentioned something about knap in another thread. The patterns look fairly easy, then why haven't I made it yet?!! oH, THE ZIPPER. That is a small problem for me and how I ruined the first skirt; luckily, it was not the faux suede skirt. No, the reason I ruined it was because ... I removed the zipper for some reason. Big mistake. did i already mention this...

I will post photos of finished creations, when, not if, I get it done. Most of my skirts are not for cold weather, so I really need something besides slacks and jeans.
I must have missed that zipper story. Yep, zippers! I was just talking to someone this morning about sewing zippers. She said she has a machine, but it seems someone always wants her to replace a zipper and she doesn't do zippers.

I bought some Lux fleece this morning to make a warm jacket for winter. Same friend looked at the pattern and said, "Oh, set in sleeves!" That is another sewing challenge for some.

I found out that Walmart carries a small group of patterns that sell for $.97. They are not necessarily in any book or on dispay. I found a row in the bottom drawer of their pattern cabinet.

Jacket pattern image.jpg
 
Replacing a zipper is for level high intermediate in my opinion, and I still consider myself a beginner, BUT I'M NOT. heheh.
I will have to look around at our Wally world.
So this faux suede I have...it was given to me by a seamstress who moved. No care tags, I've never used this kind of fabric, and there are a couple of suiting fabrics too. I have always washed most hand washables and most dry clean onlys in the washer. Screw that care tag! But this stuff is different and I'm kind of afraid I'll ruin it. Well, it didn't cost me anything so I will forge on. Still have to wash it first.
When back in my 20s, a good friend I ran with wore skirts ALWAYS, and heels. And sweaters. I don't think I ever saw her in shorts or pants. Here I am little shorty, and she was 5'10, plus heels.
 
I must have missed that zipper story. Yep, zippers! I was just talking to someone this morning about sewing zippers. She said she has a machine, but it seems someone always wants her to replace a zipper and she doesn't do zippers.

I bought some Lux fleece this morning to make a warm jacket for winter. Same friend looked at the pattern and said, "Oh, set in sleeves!" That is another sewing challenge for some.

I found out that Walmart carries a small group of patterns that sell for $.97. They are not necessarily in any book or on dispay. I found a row in the bottom drawer of their pattern cabinet.

View attachment 9572
One more thing about the pattern. I went to Joann's a few days ago and they do not carry any $.97 patterns. They had no idea what I was talking about. When I went this morning with my pattern to buy my fabric and notions, I was told a couple times by different clerks that there was a discussion about $.97 patterns at their store meeting this week. They have had some requests this week about them, besides me. I was asked where I bought it so they could refer other customers.
 
I worked at Wal*Mart anytime we would get a shipper in with 97 cent patterns in they always went in bottom drawer.
Then when kids came in for beginning sewing class that would be the patterns I would steer them too.
Parents were pretty happy too.
Once in while I would display the beginning class sewing projects for 5 or 6 nearby schools.
Gave the kids since of pride to see their finished project hanging on my back wall.
It also encouraged them to try a harder pattern the next time.
97 cent patterns almost always went fast in my store, theater groups snatched them up, parents that make costumes for school plays,costumes.
But along with the patterns, went fabric,notions,threads,sold well.
I still use my 97 cent patterns, I trace the patterns needed on brown paper in various sizes, but keep the original whole. Will be making me some night gowns, robe,capri pants with the fabric I kept out of sewing room. Got to make a wedding dress too. Still thinking on that one though.
 
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I worked at Wal*Mart anytime we would get a shipper in with 97 cent patterns in they always went in bottom drawer.
Then when kids came in for beginning sewing class that would be the patterns I would steer them too.
Parents were pretty happy too.
Once in while I would display the beginning class sewing projects for 5 or 6 nearby schools.
Gave the kids since of pride to see their finished project hanging on my back wall.
It also encouraged them to try a harder pattern the next time.
97 cent patterns almost always went fast in my store, theater groups snatched them up, parents that make costumes for school plays,costumes.
But along with the patterns, went fabric,notions,threads,sold well.
It is funny that they are still in the bottom drawer. I didn't realize they had them until I began searching for the one I had seen. They don't have a lot, but that is okay with me.
 
Finished most of the dirt.
Now need to decide what to do with 10 yards 0f Ivory Satin, 5000 seed Pearls, 5 yards of Green Satin.
Oh and a wedding dress pattern, flower girl dress pattern.
At least I hadn't started making any of it.
Oh and the hoops for the skirt of the wedding dress.
That satin would make some pretty snazzy nightgowns if I was a girly girl.
But I'm not. A girly girl.
Guess I'll put it away for now.
Just looking at it makes me sad.
 
Sorry, Mo.
But you may want to hold on to it.
Just don't look at it.
Thank you, I placed all the satin and seed pearls in vacuum sealer bag.
Sucked the air out, it's in top of closet in sewing room.
Thinking I might make Estelle and her big sister semi matching Easter dresses with the Green Satin.
Maybe if I have enough Green satin left little half moon hats with some of the seed pearls too.
Gave everything else to local theater group, hoops,patterns
 
Thank you, I placed all the satin and seed pearls in vacuum sealer bag.
Sucked the air out, it's in top of closet in sewing room.
Thinking I might make Estelle and her big sister semi matching Easter dresses with the Green Satin.
Maybe if I have enough Green satin left little half moon hats with some of the seed pearls too.
Gave everything else to local theater group, hoops,patterns
I am with Amish Heart on this. In time it will be easier to deal with.

We have used satin scraps for Christmas ornaments. We had a bunch of satin from a dress that my daughter had me re-do for Halloween many years ago. We made stuffed hearts for Christmas ornaments that we gave out as gifts. We added some flowers, ribbons, short strings of beads, lace and they were great. They were also a great project for my then pre-teen daughter to work on after I did the majority of the sewing.
 

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