introductory Tag

01 Aug

Posted at 14:24h in Pattern Making Instructions, Pattern Puzzles, Self-draft by
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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.

28 Jul

Posted at 15:05h in Pattern Making Instructions, Pattern Puzzles, Stretch Patterns, Womens Knit Block by
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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.  You'll also find a video of pattern making instructions on my Youtube channel.

30 Jun

Posted at 15:52h in Pattern Making Instructions, Pattern Puzzles by
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The Double Turnback Drape is not especially new.  We have featured it twice in our #PatternPuzzles and although it's not the most challenging pattern to cut, it is so attractive in its simplicity.  The Twist and Turnback Top and the Twist Jumper.  This particular design detail is featured across many fashion ranges and is relatively easy for the enthusiast sewer to interpret, using patterns they already have in their stash.

09 Jun

Posted at 16:35h in Pattern Making Instructions, Pattern Puzzles, Stretch Patterns, Vintage Patterns, Womens Knit Block by
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So it's a weird one this week.  Over sixty years old and born of a time that valued efficiency in manufacture over effective use of resources.  Patent #2,454,208, invented by Ruth E Richman in 1946, was filed as:
'An object of the invention is to simplify the manufacture of blouses, coats and similar garments by constructing them from a blank consisting of a single piece of material.'

24 Apr

Posted at 14:21h in Pattern Making Instructions, Pattern Puzzles, Stretch Patterns by
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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.  You'll find a video of the pattern making instructions on my Youtube channel.

20 Jan

Posted at 14:39h in Pattern Making Instructions, Pattern Puzzles, Stretch Patterns, Womens Knit Block by
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Some very quick and clever answers on Saturday had our #PatternPuzzle solved in one hour!  Thanks to Evelyn, Mioara, Cyndi and Delwyn for such great ideas.  And thanks to all our fans for making our Saturday morning so much fun.  The pattern shape below is for the entire top, when cut as 1 pair.
You'll find a video of the pattern making instructions on my Youtube channel.

13 Jan

Posted at 15:00h in Pattern Making Instructions, Pattern Puzzles, Self-draft by
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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.

30 Dec

Posted at 16:19h in Pattern Making Instructions, Pattern Puzzles, Vintage Patterns by
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From the first moment I clapped my eyes on this little beauty, I've been deeply in love.  Never far from my mind, I had made several attempts to understand this self-drafted style.  Finally, I have something to start with.
My first ideas were based on a flat, geometric sketch as featured in the image below.  I could see how a slightly smaller hem circumference would catch on the high hip and create those beautiful drapes.

16 Dec

Posted at 16:46h in Pattern Making Instructions, Pattern Puzzles, Stretch Patterns, Womens Knit Block by
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Solved with lightening speed by Alison Calderwood, Julie Eilber and RedPointTailor, last Saturdays #PatternPuzzle turns out to be a fab summer shift.  The image below has the puzzle shape right way up with some notations to help make sense of the thing.   Some of you may remember the Cowl Tee with Drape and Draped Tee from way back that feature the same kind of drape seam as this weeks puzzle.
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