Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Sewing Lessons & FAQ

Lauren

Distinguished Service Award
Messages
5,060
Location
Sunny California
Amy Jeanne said:
I've got a simple newbie question for you advanced gals:

I'm a 1930s/40s size 18. I've upsized both 14s and 16s to meet my sizing needs. I just want to know how many inches I would need to add to upsize a 12? Thanks.

I think the easiest way is to look at the back of the envelope and see how many inches it is off of your measurements. You'll need to add a little in the width of the shoulder as well as the sideseam, probably. Maybe the neck, too, if it's fitted. Hope that helps :)
 

Amy Jeanne

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,858
Location
Colorado
Lauren said:
I think the easiest way is to look at the back of the envelope and see how many inches it is off of your measurements. You'll need to add a little in the width of the shoulder as well as the sideseam, probably. Maybe the neck, too, if it's fitted. Hope that helps :)

Uhhhhhh :eek:

lol -- my friend Heathyr told me to add 1/4 of an inch on the sides and sleeves for a 16 and 1/2 inch for a 14.

And it worked perfectly. I don't know of this math you speak of!! lol. Thanks anyway -- I'll try to figure it out!
 

jetgirl

One of the Regulars
Messages
270
Location
O-town
Amy Jeanne said:
Uhhhhhh :eek:

lol -- my friend Heathyr told me to add 1/4 of an inch on the sides and sleeves for a 16 and 1/2 inch for a 14.

And it worked perfectly. I don't know of this math you speak of!! lol. Thanks anyway -- I'll try to figure it out!

Then to use your friend's method; add a 3/4 of an inch to the sides and sleeves for a 12. Make a muslin first, because the larger the amount you add, the more it can distort a pattern if it is not spread evenly among correct points of the item.
 

Amy Jeanne

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,858
Location
Colorado
jetgirl said:
Then to use your friend's method; add a 3/4 of an inch to the sides and sleeves for a 12. Make a muslin first, because the larger the amount you add, the more it can distort a pattern if it is not spread evenly among correct points of the item.

I will try that. And why don't I think of these things??? :eusa_doh:
 

Lauren

Distinguished Service Award
Messages
5,060
Location
Sunny California
It's not really that bad. I'm math dumb and I can do it, too :)
This Threads article is great. Just look at the picture if the directions are confusing. You can trace you pattern pieces, then draw a straight line where it needs to get bigger. Cut along that line and tape it to a piece of paper. Then draw a line with your clear ruler the amount you want to make it bigger from the cut edge of that piece. Match the other cut off piece to that line. Ta da! Bigger pattern :D
you shouldn't have to add more than 1/4" to the shoulder and maybe 1/8 to the neck, but that's just a guess. So if you need 3/4 to make it bigger, just do 1/2" at the side seam and 1/4" down from the shoulder (and leave the neck out if it doesn't close up tight) and it evens things out :) Don't forget to add the same to your sleeve on both sides!
 

kamikat

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,794
Location
Maryland
Ladies, I've fallen for another tiny pattern. I knew from experience that size 12 (30inBust) does not grade up easily to a plus size.
4197010925_704c1b2929.jpg

The skirt will be easy to make from another skirt pattern, but I can't find the jacket anywhere else. Do you think this might be a good start to the jacket? Now I need to find a collar.
il_fullxfull.103394724.jpg
 

Miss 1929

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,397
Location
Oakland, California
I have just the thing!

SayCici said:
Ladies:
4065135639_6ac6638d95.jpg

See the two halter blouses with the drawstrings? Please tell me there is a way to recreate this without needing a pattern I probably couldn't afford if one ever did show up.

You can see it here too, on the left:
4065886042_a4943a26b4.jpg


I am crazy about this look and need to recreate it!
I have a book that shows how do do this from a basic blouse pattern - where to slash the pattern and spread it to make this happen. I will dig it out and post pics.
 

Lauren

Distinguished Service Award
Messages
5,060
Location
Sunny California
That's pretty cute. I think I'd add ties, if it were me. Looks like it would slip off of your shoulders easily if it's cut on a circle.
Fun project! If you make it post a picture :)
 

SayCici

Practically Family
Messages
813
Location
Virginia
Which is a better skirt pattern to build my 30s wardrobe? I'm usually in the middle of the decade.
3004-web-pic.jpg


Or this one from Past Patterns? The second one is supposed to be from 1930-31, but I like gored skirts! I just don't know if the shape will be right. I really like the first one!
 

Miss 1929

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,397
Location
Oakland, California
The second one is much more mid to late 30s. The first one is great (especially for early 30s), but the curved seam might fight with other items you wear it with more.
 

Lauren

Distinguished Service Award
Messages
5,060
Location
Sunny California
Yeah... some of the dates on that site are pretty off. Don't always take their word for when the repro patterns are from. lol I've bought a lot of repros from them, though- they have some really neat patterns on there- especially the 1910s ones.
 

SayCici

Practically Family
Messages
813
Location
Virginia
Miss 1929, thanks so much for your input!! Most of my blouses are pretty plain basics but you make a good point! I was originally planning if I got the pattern to make it in a print - which would probably make the curved seam less noticeable/distracting but then.. why use that pattern if the main feature won't be prominent? lol
 

deadpandiva

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,174
Location
Minneapolis
SayCici said:
Which is a better skirt pattern to build my 30s wardrobe? I'm usually in the middle of the decade.
3004-web-pic.jpg


Or this one from Past Patterns? The second one is supposed to be from 1930-31, but I like gored skirts! I just don't know if the shape will be right. I really like the first one!

I made both versions of the past patterns skirt. I am 5'5" and they are a bit shorter on me than I would like. And I think it makes them look more modern. If I make them again I will lengthen them. If I can find the pictures I took I will post them.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
109,306
Messages
3,078,475
Members
54,244
Latest member
seeldoger47
Top