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Cowl Neck Styles?
gramma b Advanced USA Member since 7/25/08 Posts: 2271	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/21/12 9:19 AM Anyone have a formula for changing basic rounded or V-neck patterns to cowls? Some RTW make the necklines wider but I'm not a fan of boat-necklines, always seem to show straps or feel like falling off. I measured one knit with regular shoulder width where the cowl dip was 7" down and the cowl was a full doubled 7 1/2". That fell nicer than the patterns where the cowl is just a foldover in the front.
marjoriekh   Intermediate VA USA Member since 8/28/10 Posts: 547	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/21/12 10:09 AM I haven't seen anything on the internet specifically explaining converting a regular neck to a cowl (or drape) neck, but this Fashion Incubator post by Kathleen Fasanella will help you to understand how the front pattern piece will need to look, and how to adjust for desired cowl depth. I have changed a scoopneck knit top (dress bodice, actually) to a cowl. I used the Kathleen Fasanella post above, some info from Adele Margolis' 'Design Your Own Dress Patterns,' (very possibly in your public library), and the neckline finishing techniques from the ubiquitous Vogue 1250. If you have a cowl neck pattern, simple comparison of your pattern pieces and instructions may be enough. ------ marjoriekh
gramma b Advanced USA Member since 7/25/08 Posts: 2271	Login to reply to this post In reply to marjoriekh << Like this post Date: 4/21/12 4:31 PM Thanks, that's the illustration I have for current patterns, an all-in-one. It fits up pretty high on her neck. The fold-overs seem to cut into your neck too high. I think I like the cowls from the old Kwik Sews if your fabric is a thin knit, where they hang like an elongated turtleneck. Also some now show a separate matching scarf to look like a cowl, then you have a variable neckline. -- Edited on 4/21/12 5:27 PM --
marjoriekh   Intermediate VA USA Member since 8/28/10 Posts: 547	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/21/12 5:10 PM Sorry -- I misunderstood the look you were asking about. You want the separate cowl piece that gets doubled over and stitched to the neckline. If I were to attempt to draft that, I think I would just draw my scoop neckline where I want it, determine the circumference of the finished neck opening, and then draft a rectangle that long, and twice as wide as you want it to finish up (plus SAs), for the cowl. I thought I had seen something on nicegirl's blog about doing this, but I couldn't find it. Maybe someone who has tried it will come along. ------ marjoriekh
beginagain   Intermediate KY USA Member since 10/30/06 Posts: 268	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/21/12 8:37 PM I have done it the way marjoriekh suggests. It works just fine. ------ If you wait for the perfect time to start, you'll never start.
marec   Intermediate OR USA Member since 5/11/08 Posts: 3548	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/24/12 10:45 AM This site has the basic instructions and lots more! 365daysofsewing ------ my blog: http://kf-biblioblog.blogspot.com/ Sewing through my pattern stash-125 completed.

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