Date: 11/20/09 11:20 AM

I have noticed almost every time I want to make a garment item, I first go to my stash, then online to find the pattern, and gues what????? No one has a pattern even close to what I want to make!! So then I try to piece several patterns together, and finally just give up!!! Anyone else out there with the same problem or is it just me???

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There is no easy way! quote from my Grandfather
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Fabric fasting and hanging on...
9 1/2 yds sewn in 2012 with more cut out & other in the washing machine!!

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Reply to Restart06
Date: 11/20/09 11:52 AM

You are not alone.. That is the exact reasoning I use when I go to ebay to look at patterns.. sometimes I can find one there..if even from another decade.

It appears that most of the current patterns are designed to be made quickly, and easily. Thats nice, but they lack the detail, tailoring and styling I desire in a garment.

I have a friend who finds styles she likes at the thrift store, and takes them apart for pattern pieces on newer fabrics..MAYBE you could try doing that..

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Reply to Restart06
Date: 11/20/09 11:56 AM

I have that "problem" when i am trying to copy the latest RTW say in a Vogue magazine...a lot of times the pattern companies are slow to put out the latest trends. BUT then the fun begins to try and morph several patterns together or try your hand at self drafting which i think you are doing already? For me at least it really gives a sense of satisfaction that I have "created" a garment with elements I want but couldnt find in a standard pattern.
Dont give upPiece the patterns together...self draft ...make new style muslins. its all fun. You may want to look into Patrones and Burda Fashion mags...they have more up to the minute Designer styles. I would love to see your finished garmnets. If you have drafting questions PatternReview has many fabulous skilled members who would love to help. The have for me !
Miriam

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.....Behold, a wonder did appear;
Amazement was my bliss.......

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Date: 11/20/09 11:57 AM

Burda's paper patterns--and more so the magazine--has a lot more styles that I like. I have made some of their packaged patterns but I haven't tried the magazine yet.

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Reply to Restart06
Date: 11/20/09 5:48 PM

I think the offerings from big 4 pattern companies have gone downhill over the past few years. Whenever I want to sew a particular style I draft the pattern myself using bits and pieces of other patterns, mostly Vogue OOPs from ebay.

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The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale.
Richard Dawkins

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Reply to Restart06
Date: 11/20/09 6:37 PM

You are definitely not alone! It is very frustrating. I see something in the stores that is everywhere. I come home looking for a pattern and zip, nadda. Three to four years later though I can be guaranteed there will be a pattern, when the trend has been and gone.

I understand there is time lag in getting a pattern produced but three to four years behind what is in the stores is a bit extreme. Some runway or Michelle O patterns come out in a timely manner but that's about it. The patterns are often very repetitive too which I find frustrating. I'd like to see a lot more variety.

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Belinda. Melbourne, Australia
http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/

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Reply to poorpigling
Date: 11/20/09 9:09 PM

Quote: poorpigling

I have a friend who finds styles she likes at the thrift store, and takes them apart for pattern pieces on newer fabrics..MAYBE you could try doing that..

That is exactly what I did. I couldn't make a top that looked decent on me (okay I haven't learnt to fit and I am slow at sewing etc etc).

So, I just cut up a knit top I found at the thrift shop. And to my surprise it is the only top I made that looked good on me. So I went to my wardrobe and cut up another top, copied it and bingo - now I have two tops made by me that look good.

It was such a nice feeling to have something that looked decent.

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Date: 11/21/09 9:56 AM

I agree. I find myself piecing patterns alot or going to ebay to find older patterns or going to vintage sites. I wish I could make my own patterns!

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Date: 11/21/09 10:02 AM

This happens to me all the time. I get an idea in my head of what I want and nothing else will do - and there's no pattern for it! Sometimes the style is an easy tweak on an existing pattern, but sometimes it would be too complicated to be worth doing myself (with my current skills). Every once in a while I get lucky and there is a pattern... but I know the frustration you feel! It happens to me when shopping for RTW or shoes, too - I know exactly what I want and can't find it anywhere.

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Date: 11/21/09 10:31 AM

I actually have the opposite problem -- so many great patterns that match what I'd like to make, so little time!


-- Edited on 11/21/09 10:33 AM --

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Formerly Joan1954
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~ You can't do things if you're scared. ~Alex Stobbs (google Alex's name)
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mon bouclier et ma très grande récompense
Gen. 15:1

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