well-suited

This is the very first of our #PatternFundamentals that will occasionally interrupt the regular #PatternPuzzles.   We are hoping to give you all the opportunity to prepare the necessary blocks to make better use of our Pattern Making instructions on the blog. Keep Reading...

Saturday's #PatternPuzzle had a large number of pattern pieces, all used to make five different skirt patterns, that all make the same style of skirt - The Morticia Skirt.  Many of the drafting methods used in these patterns are self-drafted with full instructions (no block required).  If you don't fancy drafting this skirt pattern I've just added the eight panel Morticia Skirt Pattern to the website. :) Keep Reading...

The Japan Skirt - Self-drafted Pattern.  Rectangle skirts are nothing new.  What maybe new is the way you work your rectangle.  This particular pattern has been hanging on my pattern rail for at least 8 years.  Originally developed for merino ponti, grading up and down in sizes allows you to cut this pattern in a variety of knit and woven fabrics. Keep Reading...

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...

Zuzana Grimm had her ahha moment on Saturday afternoon and solved this #PatternPuzzle.  Julie and Vicki gave her a good start in the morning with some great detail.  The weird pattern shape is a one piece pattern for a ruched jersey skirt with waterfall drape.   Keep Reading...

Last weekend's #PatternPuzzle was a little different from our usual pattern shapes.  From the conversation you can see that some pattern pieces are obvious and some not so much.  The self-drafted image below is one of the most effective examples I have come across of zero-waste pattern making, typical of a lot of folk costume construction. Keep Reading...

Looking a lot like an origami bat, this weeks self-drafted #PatternPuzzle comes from some of the greatest minds of the 1960's - the inventors filing patents for the next best thing in clothing production.  July 2019 - this pattern is now available as a PDF download on this website - The Patent Blouse Sizes XS-XXL
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Vintage Curiosity to Self-Drafted Pattern Puzzle - Wandering around in Pinterest I repinned the images below from Red Point Tailor! to my #cuttthatfrock album.  I was fascinated with the strange little pattern diagram on the back of the envelope.  The images claim that this simple shape would make that wrap top and that you can wear it wrapped from the front or the back.  Mmmm... big claims for a simple shape and such sophisticated drawings!  Convinced I could scale this up to make sense of it, I imported the image in to illustrator. Keep Reading...