Skirler
Intermediate
MO
Member since 6/5/09
Posts: 65 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 3/10/10 10:54 AM Hello. I'm Dina - and new to garment swing. Am not new to sewing itself, just to garment sewing. And I'm finding that trying to figure out what standard pattern size just to even start with, to then alter to my measurements, to be exceptionally frustrating.
I'm also having trouble with the concept of what I like not necessarily being what looks good on my tiny self and trying to work that through.
General question - do A-Line skirts look good on us petites? Where should they generally fall hem-wise - above or slightly below the knee?
I'm 4ft 10, 33 high bust, 34 bust, 28 waist, 36 hips. I've taken the front waist, back waist, etc kind of measurements, but just don't have them on hand right this second.
Well - there you have it. I'm trying (for the last time and if it doesn't work, i give up on it) a simple Aline skirt. Last attempt made me look like I was wearing a circus tent.
Dina ------
Dina
Short and petite are not synonyms! |
Em's Summer
Intermediate
USA
Member since 2/16/06
Posts: 3174 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to Skirler
Date: 3/10/10 11:19 AM ****************
-- Edited on 7/9/10 9:40 AM -- ------
From what others have said, the nasty message came from Fitting Woes, NOT Misc Hot Topics or the Civility thread.
|
drsue
Beginner
YT USA
Member since 11/11/03
Posts: 1772 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 3/10/10 11:39 AM Hi there! Welcome to the petite forum!
Your measurements a very similar to mine. I am slightly under 5' tall and I'd say each of my measurements are about 1 " smaller than yours. I really like using a size 6 in the major pattern companies, even though if you look at their size charts I should be a 10 or so. I suspect a size 12 pattern would be HUGE on you. Probably an 8 would be a good place to start.
One thing you need to realize is that given how small we are, 1" too big on us is a larger percentage big than and extra 1" is going to be on a woman who is 5'6" or so. So you really have to be more careful if you are a petite than if you are a regular size woman.
Re styles: A line skirts are kind of so-so for petites unless you are pretty much completely uncurvy. However, they are easy to sew so they aren't a bad place to start. |
Michelle T
Intermediate
BC CANADA
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 4179 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to Skirler
Date: 3/10/10 11:53 AM Are you using the lengthen and shorten lines on the pattern? If there are no lines do you know where to shorten?
Have you looked at Burda Young Patterns? Depending on your taste in fashion they may be a place to look as the bust waist hip differences are smaller than their woman's sizing. You would still have to shorten the patterns.
Burda Kids size chart ------
Proud parent of a Dwight International School Honour Roll Student |
Skirler
Intermediate
MO
Member since 6/5/09
Posts: 65 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to Em's Summer
Date: 3/10/10 11:59 AM Ok - next stupid question then . . . how do I figure out my figure type? (Sheesh but I feel really stupid!)
Maybe a different skirt type might bring me a success . . . perhaps all these failures can be chalked up to simply trying a skirt style that is really unflattering.
Although - my favorite store-bought skirt I believe, is an a-line. Maybe I'm wrong about that . . . wouldn't that just suck LoL
(edited to make myself appear less stupid)
-- Edited on 3/10/10 12:02 PM -- ------
Dina
Short and petite are not synonyms! |
Vintage Joan
Intermediate
Member since 7/16/07
Posts: 9248 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to Michelle T
Date: 3/10/10 12:01 PM
I just noticed that the height they give for the "junior" who would be approximately Skirler's pattern size (junior 15/ Burda size 170) is 5'7"! Taller than the height they list for the average adult woman. How odd! 
Welcome to the wonderful world of garment sewing, Skirler!
Regarding A-lines, I don't like them much myself -- being short and curvy, I find it's best to use patterns where the flare begins just below the hip, not just below the waist. I use a lot of Burda skirt patterns, mostly for this reason (not that many are loose-fitting at the hips).
Hope that helps!
-- Edited on 3/10/10 12:06 PM -- ------
my shield and my very great reward (Gen. 15:1)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
http://clearingclearing.weebly.com/ |
Skirler
Intermediate
MO
Member since 6/5/09
Posts: 65 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to Vintage Joan
Date: 3/10/10 12:03 PM See . . it's stuff like that that makes me feel so discouraged - and like a mutant! ------
Dina
Short and petite are not synonyms! |
Vintage Joan
Intermediate
Member since 7/16/07
Posts: 9248 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to Skirler
Date: 3/10/10 12:10 PM You're not a mutant! Mostly you're going to need to make adjustments to length -- usually pretty straightforward... you'll build up experience a bit at a time -- and probably also will need to adjust shoulder width and neck width. I'm mostly a middle-aged size 20/Burda 46, but I use a size 12/38 for my neck and shoulder area, even a bit narrower than that at the shoulders.
Just try things out slowly, and don't panic! Lots of help on here.  ------
my shield and my very great reward (Gen. 15:1)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
http://clearingclearing.weebly.com/ |
Skirler
Intermediate
MO
Member since 6/5/09
Posts: 65 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to Skirler
Date: 3/10/10 12:10 PM Ok . . . thank the stars for google.
I'm a petite triangle shape. I think. ------
Dina
Short and petite are not synonyms! |
Vintage Joan
Intermediate
Member since 7/16/07
Posts: 9248 |
Login to reply to this post
In reply to Skirler
Date: 3/10/10 12:13 PM By the way, what A-line skirt pattern did you use that came out tent-like? ------
my shield and my very great reward (Gen. 15:1)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
http://clearingclearing.weebly.com/ |
|Login|Help]
Printable Version
