Date: 8/18/06 9:49 AM

i have recently seen some adverising about the Lutterloh system and i have some questions. is it as foolproof as it sounds as far as changing inividual measurements? Can it be used with the big 4 patterns measuments? Has anyone had experience with this system? Before forking out 140.00can. i would like to know if it worth that amount of money.

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alfalfa

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Reply to ALFALFA
Date: 8/18/06 10:00 AM

It is a pattern drafting system using their mini templates for the designs. If you can get a hold of the latest issue (May/06 I think) of Australian stitches they have a trial pattern for a dress and the top piece of the tape measure that you would need. They cover how to use everything. The system works best if you are "proportional". If you are a petite plus as I am save your money to spend on a good fitting course.

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Reply to licarritc
Date: 8/18/06 10:15 AM

thank you licarrit for the reply. i guess it wouldn't work on a triangle like me 36-32-41. Sigh--i thought it was too good to be true.

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alfalfa

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Reply to ALFALFA
Date: 8/18/06 10:31 AM

I went to one of their "classes" a few years ago at a Hancock's. The salesman was a fast talker and made a vest using the Lutterloh method for one of the women attending. He claimed you could use a few measurements to create perfect fitting garments. I still don't believe it would work! But the women there were buying the pattern books (kind of a template) and signing up for subscriptions to the seasonal updates. Being a beginner, I knew the fact that there were no pattern instructions would not work for me. Only cost me $5 to go to the class, though.

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We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing. Benjamin Franklin

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Reply to ALFALFA
Date: 8/18/06 11:10 AM

Actually it might work for you, Get the Australian Stitches and try it out first. The way it works is that you use your bust measurement for your waist and above and your hip for everything below your waist. I found that I had to make all of my regular adjustments after I was done so it only made sense if I loved the designs and most were just okay.

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Reply to licarritc
Date: 8/18/06 12:19 PM

am i correct in assuming you have to use their patterns for the system to work?

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alfalfa

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Reply to ALFALFA
Date: 8/18/06 4:50 PM

Yes

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Reply to latebloomer
Date: 8/18/06 6:04 PM

I attended one of those at Hancock's earlier this summer... same guy! He'd get a bit peeved if someone interrupted his spiel with a question too. The woman who had the vest pattern made for her was pleased but as she herself admitted, she was a standard shape and height. But there were others who were buying the whole 9 yards. I bought a pair of Kai scissors and told everyone within earshot about PR! But I didn't think the patterns (or the spiel) were worth more than the $5. A better investment would be at least one of the good fitting books out there... Fitting Finesse is my favorite for the moment.
Connie

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Reply to ALFALFA
Date: 8/18/06 8:04 PM

I have the system, and have some mixed feelings about it. Several years ago when I first purchased it, I made a few things. When I tried them on, they were HUGE in the bust area. Only recently did I find that I had measured myself incorrectly in the first place. Recently I took the measurements over and found my mistake and made a top. I was pleased with the fit.

But in reading the Lutterloh book about the ''Golden Rule'', which is what Lutterloh is based on, they say that your foot should be as long as the distance from your knee to your ankle. Not so with me. I must have long legs as this distance is longer than my foot. But for some reason this doesn't affect anything else--so far. It might show up in pants, so I'll just have to make the legs longer.

I've recently purchased a quarterly supplement and have been happy with the selection, although I don't use most of what is in there as there are children's clothes, men's clothes, and professional clothing for women.

As to whether or not you can use it with the Big 4 pattern measurements, I am not sure what you mean. You have to compare your personal measurements on a Big 4 pattern, and you should do the same thing with a Lutterloh pattern. The biggest difference I see is you have to make your own facings, along with the pattern pieces, but it seems as if Lutterloh incorporates more of its smaller pieces into the main ones. Such as, for instance, collars. You won't find a separate collar piece on a Lutterloh pattern, but you will on a Big 4. Lutterloh incorporates a collar into its main pattern piece; a time-saving step.

The other difference is that the assembly on a Lutterloh pattern is of your personal choice; there are no detailed assembly instructions. If you are new to sewing, I wouldn't suggest purchasing this system until you've had some experience in how to attach facings, sew curved seams, etc.

I know 140.00can can be expensive; I paid $125US for my system. But now that I've measured correctly, I'm much happier with it. Now if I can only find the time to use it!

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"Well-behaved women seldom make history"--Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Living life vicariously with seven sewing machines...and counting...

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Date: 8/18/06 8:14 PM

I too went to the class, and bought the system. I am not impressed. The things I have made never fit. Maybe now with some of the classes I have taken here, it would make more sense. Their sewing book however, was a great asset.

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