Yup! 10 whole inches in a roundabout direction.
You know, with a pattern like this (Vogue 2796), you can't just divide it by 4 and add it all at the side seams. This is a lovely skirt, and the proportions need to be preserved as far as possible. It's made in 4 pieces, but that curved seam complicates things: there's not just the curve at hip level, there's also the added flare in that panel seam as well as on the side seams. Extra has to be added with care.
First I tackled the basic additions and cut the main back and front panels up what would be the dart placement if it had darts! This meant cutting both front and back panels in two places: down the length of the full panel and down through the half yoke. The same cut was made down the side/front and side/back panels - once for each. At each of the 4 cuts I added 1.25", giving me a total of 5": half my additional need. Then I added 1.5" to each side seam, front and back, giving a total of
6" added at the side seams. This allows for some preservation of the width proportions, and seemed a reasonable compromise. It also allows me an extra inch in case it's needed for the difference between cutting this from a stable knit and from a woven*. This is toile Mark I, so if it doesn't work, we can re cut and try again. :)I feel it's a shame this pattern only goes up to a size 22, as it's a very flattering shape for the larger lady with no truly defined waist. Unfortunately Vogue and the other major pattern companies don't seem to cater for those of us with larger figures. The half yoke on the slant draws the eye away from the widest point, and the tea-gown length is flattering to almost all ankles.
You know, I liked this pattern so much when my customer chose it that I'm going to try it myself! I'm still not going to cut it from a knit: I have a light weight stretch denim with quite a bit of Lycra in it that I've been saving because I had no idea what to do with it! It'll make a fun summer skirt!
*I have two 'areas of interest' with this pattern: not only is it too small, but I'm making what is a knits pattern in a woven fabric! I'll keep you posted on progress after the toile fitting next week! :)