Making a Pattern from Existing Clothing

I have several worn out jackets hanging in my closet that I absolutely love and want to recreate. I am an advanced sewer but am wondering how difficult this would be to recreate a pattern from them without tearing them apart. Does anyone have any suggestions about doing the sleeves and collars? That is where I see I may have difficulty in getting them to tailor smoothly. My thoughts were to piece butcher paper together and sketch the sections, adding seam allowance. Any help and suggestions would be appreciated. Grace

Reply to
Grace Kirkwood
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Dear Grace,

You can easily pin draft each piece separately. Make sure that you put grainlines on each piece. (For example, undercollars are usually cut in two piece, on the bias.) To pin draft, put the garment on a padded surface, and stick a pin every 1/2 inch or so along the seamlines. Add seam allowances when you're finished, and test in muslin before cutting into your good fabric. There will be adjustments, as clothing that we love tends to mold to certain parts of our bodies, and the form will not be exactly as it was originally sewn. Good luck.

Teri

Reply to
gjones2938

Reply to
nobodyhome1

It's actually quite easy to do....there's a great Singer book, called "101 Sewing Secrets" that details a great way to do replicate a pattern using a ready to wear garment, using a 'tracing method.' The book is out of print but I got mine on eBay; I often see them there - infact, there's 6 copies currently listed.

-Irene=20

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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Reply to
IMS

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