eastermarie

One problem could be the amount of "ease" built into the pattern. Take your bust measurement over a good fitting bra. Then look on the bodice front pattern piece. It should give you the bust measurement for your size including the ease added into it. It shounds like you could have used the next smaller size. You will want to check the waist and hip measurements on the patters as well. Some patterns may have 6" of ease built into them, while others barely have 2" built in.

cinnya

LOL I am sorry, but the way you described your dress adventure....too funny. :D :D :D
I admire you for attempting it though :thumbup: :thumbup:

CarrieAnne

I just attemped a shirt, too, and hated it. Mine unfortunately was way too tight.....so it will go in the scrap bag. I am so hard to fit, next time I am sewing it from an old sheet first!

Kelly R

Thanks, ladies, for the tips and the encouragement. I will try taking up the shoulders and taking in the waist. When I took your advice and put it on and pinned it, I had hope that I could get it to work. The waist seems easy, but the shoulders will take some figuring. If I ever get it wearable, I'll post a picture!

Tink's Mom

Just pick up the slack at the shoulders and pin it...if you already have the lining on...it makes it a bit trickier.
you will have to release it from the neckline and then do your pinning on both.

bearisgray

Did you take your measurements before buying the pattern?

Ready-to-wear sizes and pattern sizes are sometimes different.

From what I've read, Vogue has the least amount of "extra room" (also known as "ease") built into their patterns. Vogue patterns also have a reputation of being "more difficult" than some of the others.

You might have more success with garment making if you start with something like pajama bottoms or a loose top where "exact" fit is relatively unimportant.

Congratulations on the construction part! :thumbup:

Sorry it ended up not fitting the way you hoped.

Do you have a similar style garment that fits you well? Maybe you could compare the pieces of that one to the pattern pieces and see how/where they differ?

Glenda m

I have always made the kids clothes, the DH, and Mine. Still make the DHs. He likes western style, two pockets and longer 'tail' so he can keep his shirt tucked in and pearl snaps. To me...reading a new pattern and figuring it out is like reading a good mystery.
Don't be discourged. I have been sewing for 58 (yipes) years and learn something new all the time. Keeps the old brain alert. LOL

quiltmouse

Hi!

NO purchased garment has EVER fit me properly. 6' 1" short waisted, hourglass sloping to pear shape. 36' inseam (same as my 6' 7" brother :roll: )

Time was (BC-before child :D ) I made all my own clothing. Jeans, coats, skirts, suits, etc.

McCalls & Simplicity def before Vogue, even the easy ones (but that has been said a couple of times)

Find some $1 yd fabric or buy a couple of sturdy goodwill poly cotton sheets. Get the Butterick fitting pattern. It is a waisted (true waist) straight skirted dress. The directions start you out on a full range of measurement taking. Make the dress in your sheet or $1 yd fabric. pin it write on it, etc. Sew the dress and darts in basting stitch, contrasting color thread. You can put a zipper in if you want, or have someone pin you in from the back, or you can sew the back shut leave the underarm side seam open, and pin yourself into it. make all your adjustments on the sheet dress, adjusting fit of all seams & darts. Cut the sheet dress's seams down to 5/8", cut it down into its components, draw the darts in before you take them apart. Use the sheet dress as your fitting pattern with any Butterick pattern you like. It's is extra work, but the end product is worth it. I have made 2 wedding dresses using this method for SIL & BFF.

A note about darts. Regardless of a woman's size the accuracy of the dart placement will make a wonderous difference in a garment's fit. Find the most outward part, the body's "point". On me, large woman, I drop down one inch, and toward the side seam one inch. THAT is the point of the dart. NOT right out ther on the body's point. If your bust is petite in addition to being a petite woman, your moves may not be one inch, but I think you get the picture.

Another dart suggestion, is to use a pattern with princess seams. Thus, no bust dart. You still need to know how to do darts, for back shoulders & on the waistline of skirts & pants.

Sew darts from widest to narrow. If it is pointed on both ends, start in the middle, go to the end, twice. As you stitch, aim for 1/4 in short on your angle, not to the tip of the dart. When you get to the point, take 3-4 stitches parallel to the fold of the fabric. this smooths the end out to nothing, and no dart pucker.

Everything else, the pattern will tell you how to do.

:thumbup: enjoy yourself!

rismstress

Before you take up the shoulder seams, make sure it doesn't make the armhole too small. Side seams are easy to take in. The shoulder seam and the darts are key to a good fit. Also, make sure the back waist measurement is right or the waist will either be too high or too low.
Good luck.
Cheryl

bearisgray

I've thought it would make sense to make the front in two halves, also - like the back.

Sometimes it's hard to get any assistance with the fitting - and if one basted the back seams together, it would be easy enough (well, easier, anyway) to pin or baste the front together oneself.

Plus some of us are lopsided and it would be easier to adjust a separate piece for each part of the body.

Maybe??