pattern making

Threads had an article about pattern drafting software:

Look into learning to draft you own patterns. There are lots of different pattern drafting books on Amazon, but the basic one I go back to time and time again is Winifred Aldrich's series on Mertric Pattern Cutting.

Another good source for altering a good basic pattern is the Vintage sewing site, which has lots of older book info on line and is a great help: >

A hearty second to Kate's suggestions. I'd also add Sue Thompson's Decorative Dressmaking book, though it's really not pattern drafting in the broadest sense. And you might also consider stealing a matching collar and neckline from commercial patterns (I also used to steal sleeves and armscyes).

"stealing"??? I'm shocked, SHOCKED! I borrow myself...

I have Frankenpatterning down to a fine art... Bodice from here, skirt from there, sleeves come from this one, collar from that... And then I alter them in little ways! Frankenpatterns. :)

Them is what I grew up on. Mother and grandmother made all my clothes, I had to stand for HOURS with my arms slightly away from my sides, circling slowly on command. I used to BEG for a dress out of the shop!! Finally got my first one when I was 13!! (School blazer was the exception. Got that from the uniform shop when I was 11).

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans

I always envied the girls at school who had all their clothing from RTW shops. Then our house burned just before a very important event (my aunt's wedding), and Mom took my twin and me to Sears for "store-bought" dresses. They were lavender and had HOOPS! Thought I'd died and gone to heaven.

Mercifully, within a few years I learned how much better Mom-made was, and grew to appreciate all she did to keep twin girls clothed. Identically, until I started making all my own clothes.

Love that term! I don't think I have made a garment "complete-to-the-last-detail" of a pattern *ever*. I thought it was normal to take a bit from this and an idea from that and combine/alter them to create an "original". ;-)

Never gave 'em back to the original pattern.

You would prefer "teefing"?

Certainly is in this house!

There are a few 'perfect' designs, but they are mostly either dead simple or by someone like Issay Myaki and put out by Vogue (like my favourite skirt pattern that I have now used 3 times for me, once for Ma and several times for customers and friends!).

------------------------------------- I didn't know my method of sewing had a name!...Frankenpatterns... Thanks so much for all the inputs. This is how Ive been designing but honestly I didn't know if it was "correct". I have just come to find a few designs I can't figure out how to piece into my necklines. I need them modest. Wildginger is WILD! I love it. But it looks like overkill for me. Thanxs to all. I'll look up books too!

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