can anyone help me to determine my size on the pattern or know how to sew?

Question

so on the back of the pattern it has the sizes and then measurment underneither, my bust is small and dosnt fall under any of them my waist is 25 which is under size 10 and my hips are 31 1/2 which is under size 4. what size do i make?

Answer 1

Well, I can see your dilemma! Alterations, is the key word that comes to mind. I have the same situation. What a seamstress friend of mine basically told me was to base your measurements on the "biggest" sizing of any particular part of your body (in your case is your tiny waist of only 25!). This makes the size 10 your goal. You will have to take in the bust and taper the hips to fit the rest of you, of course.

The best fit when using a pattern is first to make the pattern as is using scrap material or buy "muslin" which is quite cheap at the fabric store. Once made (with basting stitches), do the alterations to this "sample" work. When it fits to your liking, undo your work and use it as your pattern to make other outfits by just changing the material used.

Another method, which I taught my daughter who is a size 4/6 is to find an outfit which already fits you, but you are ready to throw it out, because the old style, or it is torn, etc. Take that item apart and pin it to a tracing paper (which can be bought at the fabric store as well). This tracing paper is heavier paper and usually has blue dots on it.

Outline/trace around all the individual pieces and write on the paper to which part it is e.g. Front-Top, Back-Skirt, etc. Cut your pieces out from the blue dotted paper and you now have another pattern that you know already "fits".

NOTE: To trace the back or front of a skirt or top - Fold e.g. Front Skirt full width in half (fold line represents waist down to bottom of skirt) of the item you just took apart, so that you put a note on the tracing paper that that is the "folded line". You place that "folded line" on the folded piece of your material. Also, always fold your material so that the "good" side is on the "inside" with the "bad" side showing! All pieces of material are cut this way having a left and right side.

When you go into a fabric store, there usually are workers there that know how to sew. They usually are the ones designated in cutting the fabric.

You can always double-check with them in how they would proceed considering your situation. They have always been very helpful with many of my questions in the past. Worth a try. Hopefully you will enjoy the world of sewing.

Any sewing classes coming up you can take part in, or a relative or friend you can hire while making your first few outfits always gets you started on the right foot. (No pun intended!)

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

First write all your measurements down. Second, open the pattern and take measurements of the pattern. I find that sometimes the measurements on the back of the pattern are a little off. If your bustline measurement falls in the middle of the 2 pattern sizes, then use the larger size. Don't make this harder than it really is...just take your time. If you will choose a pattern that has an elastic waist, it will be much easier to size (up or down). A cute peasant blouse would be perfect for you because it is very easy to make and will create a fuller look for you on top. This style is really hot right now and super simple to make! Good luck! :)

Answer 3

The best thing that you can do is cut out the pattern size that comes closest to your size, bigger, not smaller, and then adjust it from there. You may have to take it in some. If the top and bottom are two different pieces, cut out the size that fits your bust for the top, and the size that fits your hips for the bottom. Good Luck

Answer 4

Firstly, the next time you shop for patterns, try to find one that has your size in its range. However, in this case, assuming all of your measurements are smaller than the smallest size, start by cutting that size out of the pattern. Then, fit the pattern to your hips, etc. and mark where it fits best. Trim the pattern along the seam until it fits. If you're unsure about anything, leave it a little big--it's much easier to take it in than to let it out.

Answer 5

I would cut out the pieces for the size 10 (if that's the largest size one of your measurements is listed under) and then alter it by taking in the areas that are too big to fit.

What are you making? That could potentially make a difference in the kind of advice you'll need to be helpful

Answer 6

what you can do is cut the pattern to the smallest size you can and then in the end, have someone else help you to take the clothing in a bit where it needs it.


I learned that its better to have the clothes a little big then a little to small that you can fit into it.