Questions about Pattern Master Boutique

Hello all,
Well, in my effort to NOT clean my house like I'm supposed to be doing ; ),
I've been checking out the Wild Ginger site and considering the PMB
software. I have a Click & Sew pattern, but to be honest I am kind of
intimidated by it and haven't used it yet. I have some kind of taking
measurements block. I never think I'm doing it right.
Anyway, for those who have PMB, is it fairly easy to use? I don't have any
major figure considerations (other than slightly heavier thighs than most
commercial clothing allows for). I have a pant/skirt pattern that fits me
well and I love, but I tend to sew with mostly knits because I am afraid to
try fabrics with no give. One concern I have is how the pattern itself gets
printed. Is it easy to put together? I guess I should try my C&S to get
that answer, eh?
TIA for any insights. I don't want to plop down $200 for software unless
it's really a good thing. I'd like to get rid of my useless patterns and
never think about buying one again (unless it's for a costume or my child).
Dawn

Dawn, I have had PMB since version 1.2!! I adore the program. I invite you to come take a look at my sewing projects; many if not most of them are created with Wild Ginger software.
and click on "Projects".
The patterns print out on regular letter-sized paper and are very easy to put together and the new version 3 has so many great style options!!!
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!
--Welmoed
On Tue, 28 Oct 2003 10:51:00 -0700, "Stepdawn" wrote:

When the pattern is printed out on normal paper it is very easy to put together. There are marks on all four corners that you line up and tape. That's it. I don't have the PMB but one of the click and sew and I'm going to presume they are very similar. Very easy to use. I would say using it is easier than any other pattern I've used, including Kwik sew, which are pretty good. Don't be afaird just jump in there and try it. Joanna Remove "quilt" to reply

I've got some specific questions about the Curves edition:
(Karen I lost the stuff you sent me, or it's least missing in action....)
Sepecically, in the action wear module...
can you determine number of and placement of seams... for example a 6 or 8 panel bike short. Can you create settings for adjustments for certain sports... raise CB seam, lower CF seam ( bike stuff again), add artuculation into patterns ( pre-bent knees, elbows etc)
Is amount of ease predetermined?
Do they give recommendations on adjustments for various sports?
I know I need to get the demo at some point
Penny S

Penny, you could certainly use the active wear module for bike shorts and make changes to the pattern with the included CAD program, Pattern Editor. It would be pretty easy to make the changes you describe.
Ease is completely up to the individual's preference. Personally, once I realized I was getting a great fit, I found I was comfortable reducing my ease to "very close" or "close", even though I am not a small person.
Variations for patterns can be discussed on the private chat list; I'm sure you would find a lot of help/support there.
Go ahead and download the demo, although it will not give you the ability to modify a pattern in the pattern editor (at least, I don't think the demo does).
--Welmoed

Personally, I prefer to use a double stick tape in a cartridge, rather than actual scotch tape. It's much simpler to use, and is exactly the width of the overlap on the paper. Plus, it's repositionable for about 10 seconds, if you don't lay it down just right the first time.
Mine came from Sam's Club, in a package with several cartridges, but you can purchase these at anyplace that sells office supplies.
Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

I use my sliding glass door for assembling the pattern. I just tape the sheets of paper on the window then when it's all laid out I hang my pattern paper over the top and trace it out.
Val

I bought it a couple months ago. The program itself is very easy to use, but I'm struggling with the measurements. DH & I have followed the directions as closely as we can, but the muslins aren't even close to fitting right. Actually, they sort of fit, but the seams are weird. The side seams run diagonally, and the waist seam curls all around.
I'm not that difficult to fit. A bit shorter and pudgier than the standard patternmakers plan for, but I've had excellent results with Nancy Zieman's Fitting Finesse approach. If I can't make PMB work, I'll go back to that, but I'd hoped to avoid a step I find tedious, just design, print & sew, knowing it will fit.
At this point, I've got to start over with the measurements, figure out where the shoulder point really should be, where the waist really is, etc. But I'm frustrated and DH is really out of patience with the process (not that he's got an excess of patience to start with :) )
Mary

struggling with the measurements. DH & I have followed the directions as closely as we can, but the muslins aren't even close to fitting right. Actually, they sort of fit, but the seams are weird. The side seams run diagonally, and the waist seam curls all around. patternmakers plan for, but I've had excellent results with Nancy Zieman's Fitting Finesse approach. If I can't make PMB work, I'll go back to that, but I'd hoped to avoid a step I find tedious, just design, print & sew, knowing it will fit.
the shoulder point really should be, where the waist really is, etc. But I'm frustrated and DH is really out of patience with the process (not that he's got an excess of patience to start with :) )
I posted about this recently. You may like to go back and check it (10/27 under Wild Ginger Software). It does sound as though you need to start again with the measurements, with someone a little more patient and accurate. My DH did the measuring for me, but then he is an engineer and accustomed to doing things with extreme accuracy. Perhaps you could enlist the help of a friend? Or even a local dressmaker, if you paid her for her time?
Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

I have found that tights and leotards are good to wear when measuring. You need somebody to measure who is PATIENT and ACCURATE. You are wearing your good undies (especially bra, not the old saggy one that's been through the dryer 92 times) something snug that doesn't distort your body (no squishing bottom and bosom) and you can mark the crucial points with chalk right on your body or leotard before you begin actual measuring. Have a good tape measure that isn't stretched and ragged. Tie a string around your REAL waistline. You need to stand perfectly still, long hair up and out of the way, keep eyes forward and focused on a point, no bending, twisting, or peering around to see what the measurer is doing.
I've measured friends. The rules are, leotards or panties and bra, no kids, no phone calls, no sucking anything in, and all measurements will be considered secret and taken to the grave.
Val

That would be the most important thing to me, keeping the secret LOL

Have you sent your measurements in to technical support and asked for help? They were really helpful to me.
You can do it! You just have to know how to give the program what it wants. If you have a lot of "fluff," as the Wild Ginger ladies so tactfully put it, you have to extrapolate under teh fluff for some of the measurements, and the WG ladies are good at figuring out how to do that. Please do send your measurements in and take advantage of their free technical support. I'm sure you will be pleased.
I paid a dressmaker $12 to take a set of measurements. That might work for you, too.

"Mary" wrote Something that you might think about because I was guilty of it, is your posture. You may be standing too erect and holding your breath. Jump around, shake your arms and relax before you measure. You want to measure the real you, not the you your mother's voice tells you to be. Also, mark on your body just as the photos show and be sure to use a level waist. I didn't and my slopes were off because my daughter thought she hit the mark. If you have Ver 3, you can put in the required measurements and let the program do most of the work. That might get you on track. I wouldn't go to much more work though. I'd send my measurements to Karen because she can spot stuff most of us would never think of.

I appreciate everyone's suggestions. I'll work out another set of measurements with DH, and work with Wild Ginger if I'm still having problems.
Sorry for the long delay replying -- I upgraded windows Saturday & I'm just now back to Usenet. After that, PMB should be a piece of cake :)