Any ideas on a pattern for a fitted tuxedo for a woman?

There are some very nice tailored jackets and suits in the Vogue catalogue. I strongly suggest the two of you go and look there. If she is large in the bust, buy the pattern according to waist, hip and high bust (above the bust) measurements, and alter the bust area to fit her.

Don't get totally fixated on a tux look - that's very male, and there are some extremely nice tailored ladies patterns out there. If you pick one that says Advanced on the pack, we'll nurse you through it if you think it might be a bit stretching for your abilities. I'm not being patronizing here - you know your level. But be warned - some of those Advanced patterns are so well cut they go together like Lego - DED easy! ;P MUCH easier to use than so-called 2 hr patterns from other companies that only fit approximately, and then only if you like baggy tents!

Also, take a look at my web site (URL below - and I don't sell anything) and have a look at some of the wedding stuff there: there's a wedding outfit I made for someone that wanted a jacket and skirt - not traditional at all, but very formal.

What Kate said.

I also wonder if she might like Vogue pattern no. 1290. The description is as follows:

Jacket, dress, top and pants Loose fitting, lined, below hip jacket (semi-fitted through breast) has slightly extended shoulders, shoulder pads, princess seams and long sleeves. Fitted dress, below mid-calf or evening length or top has shoulder pads, princess seams and long sleeves with flounces. A, B: self or contrast collar. B: slightly tapered. C: flared. B, C: contrast sleeve flounce.

And although it doesn't say on the envelope, the pants are lovely, loose and flowing, with a waistband and back zipper.

The princess seaming on the tops, jackets and dresses would make it easy to fit and I think you could come up with a tailored outfit that would make the best gal very happy without being in the least bit masculine.

Kathleen

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Best reason there is to do anything! You just go ahead, and we'll help all we can, but you gotta post pix somewhere! ;P

Look for patterns with an hour glass type symbol next to them, and be prepared to buy two copies of the pattern to get the look you want - or even two different patterns!

Buy on measurements: for skirts, but on hip size and reduce the waist. You may need to lengthen the back seam to accommodate a hollow back. For Jackets, but on chest and waist, but if the waist and frame are small, use a high bust measurement and make a full bust alteration. Princess line jackets are easier to alter for this than those that are cut all in one at the front.

Take a look at the Vintage Vogue suits for some inspiration.

Oooh, theres a beautiful suit in the last issue of Vogue - it's shown in Yellow but I'd have it in black. It's got a really dramatically curvy front to the suit and a sort of mandarin neck. It's on their website, I'm afraid I don't have the number to hand, although this is one I may well try and make!

Charlie.

different/dramatic/nifty I

I know I am starting out on a difficult project but there really is a reason. If it is't something that I think will be drop dead gorgeous, when I get frustrated with it I will just stop and it will never get made. Every time I have started anew skill with something that I wasn't toally in love with It has ended up not getting finished. Add to this the fact that I am not a big fan of working with a commercial pattern but my pattern drafting skills just are not up to this.

So I willbe checking out vogue and looking for Cecilia Podolak. Is there anywhere online that I could see a picture of the blazer? I found a site with

5 patterns by her but I'm not sure if it had the one you are refering to.

Thanks to everyone this really is helping me so much.

Cynthia

Ah, but it is! Check here:

Linda's fabrics are exquisite, and she's a very good directions writer, too. Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

Thank you, Karen! Whenever I go to a sewing show she's at, there are always a number of us standing there with glazed looks, attempting not to drool on her gorgeous fabrics, and dreaming of how to use them... :-)

I did see a piece of one of her dark-with-metallics made into an unstructured evening jacket... knock-out gorgeous! Almost had to climb over the theater seats to look at it more closely.

Kay

wool/mohair with a sliver of silver stripe. The pattern I made it from wasn't the best, but the fabric is so beautiful, I get so many compliments. I have another piece, in red, that I'm waiting for just the right project for. Yum!

Isn't it funny that how a wonderful pattern, made in a cheapo fabric, just looks ok at best, but even a not so wonderful pattern made up in a great fabric looks fabulous? And most of the truly wonderful fabrics are so much easier to work with.

Kay