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Altering patterns for scoliosis- Any suggestions? For teen clothing
ewema Advanced Beginner AZ USA Member since 8/2/08 Posts: 29	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/15/09 3:14 AM My 17 yr old has scoliosis- so one side of her back has a hump. It is about 3"-4" larger than the other side. I have made items for her and added that much room on the specific side, which helps, but the zippers wind up angling towards that side until they look like they are installed almost diagonally. Has anyone made alterations for this body type or have recommendations? Thanks so much!
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7111	Login to reply to this post In reply to ewema Like this post Date: 1/15/09 9:24 AM I have this problem, but not as much as your daughter. You didn't say which side has the problem, but I can share what I do, as a result of a bodice fitting class here on PR. My bump is on my right side, about where my shoulder blade is. I have to add 5/8" to my right armhole, starting a couple inches below my shoulder and tapering to nothing at the side seam. I have to add 1/2" to my left side seam, tapering to nothing at my waist. Just these two things seem to straighten out the CB seam enough to make a zipper line up. I also have to move my right sleeve cap higher on my shoulder by 1/4". Hope this helps. ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
ewema Advanced Beginner AZ USA Member since 8/2/08 Posts: 29	Login to reply to this post In reply to Miss Fairchild Like this post Date: 1/16/09 2:11 PM Thanks Beth. So- adding to the left side helps keep the CB centered? Her hump is on the right also, so I usually just spread the right side a couple of inches, which gives her room, but pulls the CB towards the right.
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7111	Login to reply to this post In reply to ewema Like this post Date: 1/18/09 9:27 AM If you get a picture of what is happening, the hump is pulling from the right shoulder, in a diagonal toward the left side, so you add more fabric to the right shoulder, and remove it from the left underarm side. For some reason, this works for me. -- Edited on 1/19/09 1:25 PM -- ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
Plantwizard Intermediate OR USA Member since 2/14/03 Posts: 329	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/19/09 6:53 PM Just curious why the scoliosis wasn't diagnosed and treated with a brace or surgery. I had been under the impression that usually pediatricians screened for this to catch it early for successful treatment. My 17 year old daughter knows a girl who had successful surgery a couple of summers ago. Of course if the kid won't wear the brace and refuses surgery I don't think the parents have many options. I do hope the scoliosis isn't painful now or in the future. We all want our kids have perfect health but sometimes it doesn't happen. Jan
cindy-lou   Intermediate NC USA Member since 7/21/06 Posts: 3642 Board Moderator	Login to reply to this post In reply to Plantwizard Like this post Date: 1/19/09 8:28 PM My understanding is that braces are recommended when a child's scoliosis is to a degree that that the brace might help the child avoid surgery at a later date. In profound enough scoliosis cases, a brace may not be recommended. Surgery typically is put off until it is certain that bone growth is complete. I hope I haven't spoken incorrectly, as I'm not an orthopedist... feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. ------ Cindy Lou, no more than 2 "Sew, Esmerelda! Sew like the Wind!" -Martin Short, The Three Amigos "When inspiration calls, you don't send it to voicemail." --Will I Am.
Mel.J Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 7/30/02 Posts: 2624	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/20/09 5:20 AM This is not answering your question, but I just read this blog entry today & thought I'd pass it on to you. How to distract from asymmetrical features ------ Mel (Melbourne, Australia)
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7111	Login to reply to this post In reply to Plantwizard Like this post Date: 1/21/09 5:30 PM I'm speaking for myself here. All throughout my childhood, my mother felt I was hunching myself over, and tried very hard to get me to stand up straight. Many years later, as an adult, I was in a car accident and not only suffered from a severe whiplash, but also my lower back was giving me trouble. Only when I went to the doctor to see if I had some kind of spinal problem, was it revealed (through an IME) that I had scoliosis! I still didn't quite know what it was or exactly how it affected my body, and felt that with physical therapy, it would heal itself. Of course, it couldn't; PT can only treat, and I'm too old for surgery/brace. Last year, when I was taped for a dress form and removed it, I'd seen first hand how extensive it was and exactly what fit problems occurred as a result. The light went on! Then when I took the Bodice Muslin class, was I able to get the idea of how to fit that area. I've seen people with worse problems than mine, and wonder how they get along. It's a real challenge when one side of your body is more toward the front than the other! ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
Christine B   Intermediate ME USA Member since 6/7/05 Posts: 235	Login to reply to this post In reply to Mel.J Like this post Date: 1/22/09 2:03 PM I was just about to post that same link - it has some really good advice. ------ ''The best-dressed woman is one whose clothes wouldn't look too strange in the country.'' - Sir Hardy Amies
ewema Advanced Beginner AZ USA Member since 8/2/08 Posts: 29	Login to reply to this post In reply to Mel.J Like this post Date: 1/22/09 11:50 PM Thanks for the link- food for thought! It does make sense though. My daughter enjoys dressing in non-traditional ways, so that concept would work well for her.

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