A family member did some nice things for me, and I'd like to return the favor. In this case, I've decided that hand dyeing enough silk charmeuse for a dressing robe will fill the bill. (I won't be making the robe -- she regularly sews her own, and likes silk when she can swing it. Luckily I know the colors she likes.)
Any clues for how much 54" material to allow? I want to be a bit generous in the amount, but not ridiculously so. And I can't get other family members to find out from her without spilling the beans.
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A
amy in CNY
Depends upon her size. if she's petite, i would think 4 or 5 yards would be plenty. if larger, 5 or 6. especially if she wants a full length robe or a matching nighty.
amy in CNY
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Ann
Hi Kathy I suggest you check out the patterns at
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any other online patterns).........select the size and style of preferred choice your family member would like, and check out the yardage on the pattern envelope back. It should give you a good estimate on yardage requirements
Ann
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amy in CNY
.........or you could do what Ann said............
amy in CNY
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Polly Esther
Yep. You better do what Ann said. There's a heap of difference in yardage required for somebody like me whose elbows have been declared lethal weapons and someone who's a bit fluffy. Polly
"amy in CNY" .........or you could do what Ann said............
K
Kathy Applebaum
Perfect -- that did the trick!
It never occurred to me that pattern companies would put the yardage requirements on their website. I was afraid I've have to brave our local TSWLTH, dig out a pattern book from under the piles of merchandise that should have been put away three years ago, and brave the disdainful looks of the clerks who hate anything that might eventually involve the cutting table. :)
T
Tia Mary
I'm curious now :-) -- how much yardage did the pattern company specify? Off the top of my head and assuming the family member fits into the "average" range -- not too much anything AND assuming that the gown wouldn't be really short -- I would have suggested a minimum of 3 yards. That's also assuming that the gown would be cut across the grain
-- something the pattern & fabric guru's tell you not to do because fabric has a tendency to sag a bit when hung that way. The 54" length is about ankle length for me and I'm just under
5'-8". I'm also heavy -- wear about a sz 22 and the approx. 70" wide dimension is even bigger than I am :-). So that's 2 yards right there. figure another yard (minimum) for sleeves (that aren't too billowy and some facings and you get a rough estimate of 3 yards. When I do quickie clothing yardage estimates like this, I usually add in another 1/2 to 1 full yard just to be safe. So -- I'm curious to see what the yardage is that the pattern company recommends AND if it's for 54" wide fabric! That makes a whole world of difference! CiaoMeow >^;;^<
PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at
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Ann
Tia Mary, I used the Simplicity site as my first look for a pattern. There is one there for a robe, full length. Size M - Fabric width at 45" calls for 5 1/8 yards Size M - Fabric width at 60" calls for 4 yards. I'm sure the pattern pieces would be cut with straight of grain of fabric. The back would need to be cut on the fold. With 45" fabric there is no way you would be able to cut the back on fold and the 2 front pieces, side by side, thus the need for extra length for those pieces. Plus you would need sleeves and belt.
Not having the pattern pieces on hand to layout on 54" wide fabric to see exactly how close you can shift the front and back pattern pieces together, I would err on the side of caution and allow the 5 yards for the robe. A different pattern may have a fuller back and front and not allow for sifting the pattern pieces tighter together.
Ann
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Patti
Not to mention 'fluffy' *and* 6ft tall >gg< (me) . In message , Polly Esther writes
B
Bobbie Sews More
My McCall pattern list 60" fabric, from 3 - 4 yards for a robe made from cotton knit. Barbara in SC
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