Ok...
On the back of the pattern Sizes - 4,6,8,10 etc and they give Finished Garment Measurements {Measurement At Hipline}, {Width, Lower Edge} etc.
How do I tell what the waistline measurement is for this pattern? Is there a rule of thumb that deducts X amount of inches from hip to waist?
Remember to speak slowly - newbie alert...
It's been years since I bought a pattern so I may not be much help.. first thing is, you take your measurements and compare them to the sizes in the pattern book. There is a chart in almost all the books - a standard chart - so you can see which size most closely matches your measurements. Each pattern is different - depending on how the garment is made - one that is supposed to be full will measure larger around the hips than one that is supposed to fit snug. So the finished measurements pretty much depend on how the garment is made. Also there is "ease" to consider. Ease is the amount of fullness that they add in so you can bend over and stretch without straining the seams. What it all comes down to is - there are very few people who actually are an exact size 2 or 3 or 10...so you have to pick the nearest size and alter it to fit your own body. I find it easier to add inches than to try to cut down a pattern to fit ... but that's just me. Good luck with your project.
Pattern number? There is usually body measurement charts on the back of patterns. For a very fitted garment the waist measurement is probably the actual waist measurement plus
1/2 inch or so. But it very much depends on the actual style of the garment and the preference of the wearer. When I was young and slim, I liked the waist to fit VERY tight. Think "Dior New Look". However now I'm more interested in comfort, so I like the waist to be quite loose. YMMVJust for general purposes, you'll find an ease chart here:
Oh shoot, never mind. My browser "No Script" application blocked the link. Misses' size chart is here:
You don't. Not without taking the pattern out of the envelope and looking at the pattern piece where it says "finished waist measurement". You can easily find out what size the pattern is intended to fit by looking at the Body Measurements chart (usually found on the pattern envelope, but also in the back of the pattern book and on the website).
No. There is a certain amount of difference just for fit, but the waist to hip difference is largely dependent upon the style of the garment.
Of course, one of the reasons people sew is that the "standard" waist to hip difference isn't correct for them -- it's one of the things you can change.
jenn
-- Jenn Ridley : snipped-for-privacy@newsguy.com
That would have helped:
My wife buys a size 12 in retail clothing stores but after putting this together, in a size twelve, it was very small. I'm considering this first one a learning lesson (plus I reserve the right to say that about the 2nd and 3rd on if need be :) )
There should be a body measurement chart *ON* the pattern envelope. Barring that, there's one in the pattern book, and one on the website. I'm sorry to say that if you didn't look for one, that's not the fault of the pattern manufacturer.
Pattern sizes have very little relation to RTW sizes, due to RTW sizes sliding all around, and sewing pattern sizes remaining fairly constant.
In general, adult female RTW sizes are 2-3 sizes smaller than pattern sizes (f'rex, DD wears a size 12 dress, I make her a size 16 dress; I wear size 16 trousers, I make size 20 trousers).
jenn
-- Jenn Ridley : snipped-for-privacy@newsguy.com
Always ignore the size chart on the back of pattern envelopes and make or buy acording to the measurements. The size only helps you identify the line you need to trace and cut out. Pick the size closest to he measurements and alter to fit.
Hi Jenn:
I appreciate your comments but I did look for a waist line measurement of the envelope and did not see one.
From my original post:
If you follow the link that I put in my post you will see the exact pattern envelope I'm looking at. On the back of it there is no mention of waist size. I also called McCalls and they couldn't find it either.
If you see it and I'm missing it, on the envelope, I'd like to know where.
There may be a size chart on the instruction sheets rather than the envelope. However, if you look at the pattern on the website, there's a 'click here to view size charts' button just below the big purple ADD TO BAG button. This leads to a page that shows you how to take the measurements, with a list on the left of the various size charts. Just click on one of those and look for the size you want. Size 12 has a 26
1/2" waist, and 36" hip.
Oh boy - sorry, just found it. The waist and hip measurement was on the flap of the envelope. I can't tell you how many times I've looked at the envelope and tissue trying to find this information. Sheeze.
In some small defense this is the first time I've looked at on of these too. As Homer would say - D'oh
no. There's the difference between waist and hip allowed for the actual *body*, but there's often more than that in a garment
If you click through the link labeled , on that page, there will be instructions on how to measure a body, and how to select the size based on those measurements. (measurement chart here: )
It may *not* be on the envelope -- I haven't bought a McCall's pattern in a while, but there will be body measurements somewhere either on the envelope or on the instruction sheets.
Most pattern companies also put the *finished* measurement on the pattern piece. I don't have that pattern, so I don't know if this is one of them -- it's new enough that it probably does have that.
Barring that, take the waist facing piece and measure it from seamline to seamline.
It is entirely possible that there *is* no finished waist measurement on that skirt -- contour-waist skirts fit differently than waistbanded skirts.
-- Jenn Ridley : snipped-for-privacy@newsguy.com
Terry, I found the chart a bit difficult to find. If you follow Kate's instructions and then on the left under the wording "How to Choose Your Correct Size" There is a list and you have to click on the one you think will give you the size. For your wife you should click on Misses and Petite Juubo
The body measurement chart is on the flap of the envelope. It's become a fairly common place to put it.
The finished waist measurement is printed on the pattern, next to a mark that says "Finished Waist Measurement".
(I was at the fabric store, and actually looked at one of these patterns.)
-- Jenn Ridley : snipped-for-privacy@newsguy.com
I know (I posted earlier about not seeing it on the flap). If it was a dog it would have bit me :)
In the back of the pattern book there is a chart listing the different pattern sizes. I might be wrong, but I believe these charts also list the measurements. Barbara in Florida
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.