well-suited blog - fashion design, illustration, pattern making.

Pattern Puzzle - Curved Seam Dress

Monday, November 17, 2014

Once again our weekly #PatternPuzzle is focused on doing wicked things with darts! The design is a classic in many ways and uses a very flattering diagonal seam. The drape is sent in opposite directions to encourage the eye to take in the whole garment.

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Pattern Puzzle - Classic Drape Dress

Monday, October 20, 2014

The idea behind this weeks #PatternPuzzle is to use a classic drape style to show how the fitting darts in my bodice block turn into drape according to design. And to also have a go at making my pattern making technique as clear as I can.

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Pattern Puzzle - The Kimono Wrap Dress

Monday, October 13, 2014

We had a fantastic time on Saturday with the #PatternPuzzle. Jump over to FB and check out the most amazing contributions made by our fans, with drawings no less. :) This kimono styled dress was quite a challenge in the pattern making department. Firstly you have to decide if the wrap over is an authentic two-layer wrap or if you are going to seam the pieces together. I've gone for the two layer option and included a zip in the CB seam as the only place where the two bodice layers join.

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Pattern Puzzle - The Seamed Cowl Dress

Monday, September 22, 2014

Another great turnout on Saturday with loads of new fans having a go at the #PatternPuzzle. And in the end it was the simplest of design features that generated the most creative answers. This bias cut dress has a more generous cowl that is made possible by that tricky centre front seam.

Drape shift pattern making instructions.

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Pattern Puzzle - Simple Tuck Shift

Monday, September 08, 2014

As they say, the simple things are often the most difficult. Or so I found out this weekend with the #PatternPuzzle. What looks like a very simple style was in fact one of the most difficult patterns I have done in quite a while.

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Pattern Puzzle - Triangle Drape Dress

Monday, July 28, 2014

It is the simplest of shapes and elegant to boot, the Triangle Drape Dress #PatternPuzzle was solved in an instant by our resident pattern champ Mioara. You may remember her recent contribution to our weekly fun - a very clever #PatternPuzzle. Our choice this week was inspired by Meegan Williams sending us a link to her favourite dress. And she was right, it is not a complicated style. Made in a lightweight silk/rayon jersey knit, the kimono style drapes beautifully through the side seam area as it collapses over the hip and hugs the thighs. Keep Reading...

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Pattern Puzzle - Flare & Gather Dress

Monday, June 23, 2014

A very clever bunch of #PatternPuzzlers were able to nail all the detail in this complex design on Saturday. The most baffling part of the pattern shape were the very deep tucks in the left shoulder. This draped style mixes straight and bias grains with tucks and gathering and an invisible zip in the left side seam.

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Pattern Puzzle - Twist or Cowl Shift Dress

Monday, May 26, 2014

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Pattern Puzzle - Cowl Drape Dress

Monday, May 12, 2014

Oh good grief! was the first response to our Saturday morning #PatternPuzzle. However by mid-afternoon all was solved and the sketch delivered. The Cowl Drape Dress features a wide, built-up neckline that leads to a folded cowl. The front dress panels are led out of the cap sleeve armhole and head toward the low waist area on the left side of the dress. Deep tucks are set into the skirt panel and meet the side body panel in a waterfall drape. The Back panels are also led out of the cap sleeve armhole and end just above the seat. There is a CB invisible zip from the neckline to the hip line.

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Pattern Puzzle - Kimono Twist Dress

Monday, April 28, 2014

Every week new fans turn up to comment and solve my #PatternPuzzle and this week was no exception. Steph Go was in early with a comprehensive answer revealing the main parts of the pattern piece. Then Julie and Lynn turned up a little later to finish off the puzzle. This elegant evening dress is a little daring, showing lots of leg and decolletage. It will always look good in soft drapey fabrics such as silk crepe, lightweight stable knits, silk and polyester chiffon's. With a little experimentation I think it could be cut in either knit or woven fabrics. The style relies very heavily on the fit on the high hip where the twist is formed. This feature holds the entire dress in place. If you'd like to learn my method for creating Twist Drape Patterns I have a detailed worksheet for making Jersey Twist Patterns. For just a few dollars you'll get the same training you'd get if you came to the workshop in my studio. Keep Reading...