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Moderated by Sharon1952
Posted on: 2/11/09 0:39 AM ET
I have never really looked at them. I think I have read that they do not have markings, seam allowances or directions.
Half the time I disregard these things anyway out of sheer laziness. I am wondering if I should give it a try or if it is a waste of fabric.
Half the time I disregard these things anyway out of sheer laziness. I am wondering if I should give it a try or if it is a waste of fabric.
Posted on: 2/11/09 1:02 AM ET
In reply to FirecrackerKTM
You can use the advanced search on the upper left of the screen to search Marfy, and get the reviews by members here. That will probably point you in the right direction.
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Elona
Posted on: 2/11/09 1:12 AM ET
There weren't any reviews of the patterns I was thinking about
I am just a little too lazy to look up EVERY review of ALL the Marfy patterns on here!

I am just a little too lazy to look up EVERY review of ALL the Marfy patterns on here!
Posted on: 2/11/09 5:50 AM ET
In reply to FirecrackerKTM
Firecracker, If you normally disregard the instructions anyway, and you know how to draft facings and linings for yourself, then why not go for it. They are the best patterns I've ever worked with.
I tend toward the view that if I want to make something badly enough, I will find a way. There is currently a Marfy sewalong going on, and there are lots of people here who can help if you get stuck. The patterns can look scary when you first open them up, but they go together well, the drafting is absolutely amazing. They do have some markings... you get letters on key points which you match up (A goes to A and so forth) They always match impeccably. They don't have seam allowances but oddly enough I find this to be OK. If you aren't comfortable with thread tracing just retrace the pattern with seam allowances. Whilst there aren't any instructions, I've usually managed to find the answer to most questions in my sewing books or on PR.
I find they do take longer for me to get started on, but that is because I don't have a very good spatial awareness so I have to spend a bit longer than some people would planning what order to sew things in so that I don't sew myself into a corner.
And most importantly of all, the styles are delicious.
Hope that helps you.
Jenni
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I tend toward the view that if I want to make something badly enough, I will find a way. There is currently a Marfy sewalong going on, and there are lots of people here who can help if you get stuck. The patterns can look scary when you first open them up, but they go together well, the drafting is absolutely amazing. They do have some markings... you get letters on key points which you match up (A goes to A and so forth) They always match impeccably. They don't have seam allowances but oddly enough I find this to be OK. If you aren't comfortable with thread tracing just retrace the pattern with seam allowances. Whilst there aren't any instructions, I've usually managed to find the answer to most questions in my sewing books or on PR.
I find they do take longer for me to get started on, but that is because I don't have a very good spatial awareness so I have to spend a bit longer than some people would planning what order to sew things in so that I don't sew myself into a corner.
And most importantly of all, the styles are delicious.
Hope that helps you.
Jenni
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http://sewyld.blogspot.com/
Chocolate is the answer... what was the question again?
Chocolate is the answer... what was the question again?
Posted on: 2/11/09 6:37 AM ET
In reply to FirecrackerKTM
Firecracker, I also think you're ready. If you don't need the directions, seam allowances or markings, there's no reason you couldn't tackle a Marfy. I haven't tried one yet because the patterns don't come in my size, but I think I could size one down without too much trouble.
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No sewing project is ever a complete success nor a total failure.
Posted on: 2/11/09 6:37 AM ET
In reply to yorkshire lass
Quote: yorkshire lass
Firecracker, If you normally disregard the instructions anyway, and you know how to draft facings and linings for yourself, then why not go for it. They are the best patterns I've ever worked with.
I tend toward the view that if I want to make something badly enough, I will find a way. There is currently a Marfy sewalong going on, and there are lots of people here who can help if you get stuck. The patterns can look scary when you first open them up, but they go together well, the drafting is absolutely amazing. They do have some markings... you get letters on key points which you match up (A goes to A and so forth) They always match impeccably. They don't have seam allowances but oddly enough I find this to be OK. If you aren't comfortable with thread tracing just retrace the pattern with seam allowances. Whilst there aren't any instructions, I've usually managed to find the answer to most questions in my sewing books or on PR.
I find they do take longer for me to get started on, but that is because I don't have a very good spatial awareness so I have to spend a bit longer than some people would planning what order to sew things in so that I don't sew myself into a corner.
And most importantly of all, the styles are delicious.
Hope that helps you.
Jenni
Firecracker, If you normally disregard the instructions anyway, and you know how to draft facings and linings for yourself, then why not go for it. They are the best patterns I've ever worked with.
I tend toward the view that if I want to make something badly enough, I will find a way. There is currently a Marfy sewalong going on, and there are lots of people here who can help if you get stuck. The patterns can look scary when you first open them up, but they go together well, the drafting is absolutely amazing. They do have some markings... you get letters on key points which you match up (A goes to A and so forth) They always match impeccably. They don't have seam allowances but oddly enough I find this to be OK. If you aren't comfortable with thread tracing just retrace the pattern with seam allowances. Whilst there aren't any instructions, I've usually managed to find the answer to most questions in my sewing books or on PR.
I find they do take longer for me to get started on, but that is because I don't have a very good spatial awareness so I have to spend a bit longer than some people would planning what order to sew things in so that I don't sew myself into a corner.
And most importantly of all, the styles are delicious.
Hope that helps you.
Jenni
I agree totally with Jenni and I'll just add that you can use Burda WOF size tables to get a better sense of what size to order. Marfy supplies just one size, so you won't have the benefit of multisize grading to help with adjustments.
The Marfy sloper is akin to Vogue's (tall and broad shouldered) so take that into account as well for sizing.
And a making a muslin, a real muslin, is crucial for a great result.
Phyllis
-- Edited on 2/11/09 6:46 AM --
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Sewing = Fashion
http://coudremode.com/
Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.
http://coudremode.com/
Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.
Posted on: 2/11/09 8:59 AM ET
Although the patterns are labeled expert, many of them are not so complicated. If the pattern you like looks like you could figure it out, or is like something you've done, you can probably do it. I am working on some Marfy patterns I ordered last year. They are wonderful for fit and style, but they do take a bit of figuring out. I happen to enjoy the tracing, fitting, and cutting out part of sewing very much, so I'm having a lot of fun. Getting the pieces sewn together is going slowly, though.
One thing you could do is order one of the catalogs, which come with several free patterns. You can try the free patterns, which are printed all on one piece of kraft paper (I think BWOF does this?), and see how you do. You will have to trace them out, add your own seam and hem allowances, and make any of your usual adjustments for length and width. They are drafted for a B cup bust. Muslins are necessary. These patterns can't be tissue fitted because they are cut at the seamlines.
The patterns that you order and pay for individually are one size, on onion skin paper with a bit of blue printing in 4 languages to give you the idea of what goes where and where the grainline is or whether it is on the fold. It says, 'whole half-back on the grain' instead of cut one on fold, but you'll get the idea. Some patterns do have facing pieces ('inner') and markings for zippers, but you will have to figure out your own linings, interfacings, and finishes (buttons? zippers? bound edges? elastic or drawstring? belt carriers?).
The catalogs have more patterns than the websites. You will need a picture of the intended garment, and if you have the catalog for the pattern, you are set. Otherwise, be sure to download a copy of the pattern picture so you know what the pattern is. If you order from Marfy (or via the BMV website) you will receive a registered package. You will have to sign for it. Apparently, because it is coming from Europe, it has to be registered so no one else can sign for it.
If you order more than one pattern, open only one at a time. The individual pieces are not labeled with the pattern number, and they could easily be mixed up. I suggest that you trace out the original and put it away. Use the traced pattern to alter and use for cutting. I would not want to pay twice for a pattern at these prices just because I ruined the original trying to get it to fit.
Have fun!
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One thing you could do is order one of the catalogs, which come with several free patterns. You can try the free patterns, which are printed all on one piece of kraft paper (I think BWOF does this?), and see how you do. You will have to trace them out, add your own seam and hem allowances, and make any of your usual adjustments for length and width. They are drafted for a B cup bust. Muslins are necessary. These patterns can't be tissue fitted because they are cut at the seamlines.
The patterns that you order and pay for individually are one size, on onion skin paper with a bit of blue printing in 4 languages to give you the idea of what goes where and where the grainline is or whether it is on the fold. It says, 'whole half-back on the grain' instead of cut one on fold, but you'll get the idea. Some patterns do have facing pieces ('inner') and markings for zippers, but you will have to figure out your own linings, interfacings, and finishes (buttons? zippers? bound edges? elastic or drawstring? belt carriers?).
The catalogs have more patterns than the websites. You will need a picture of the intended garment, and if you have the catalog for the pattern, you are set. Otherwise, be sure to download a copy of the pattern picture so you know what the pattern is. If you order from Marfy (or via the BMV website) you will receive a registered package. You will have to sign for it. Apparently, because it is coming from Europe, it has to be registered so no one else can sign for it.
If you order more than one pattern, open only one at a time. The individual pieces are not labeled with the pattern number, and they could easily be mixed up. I suggest that you trace out the original and put it away. Use the traced pattern to alter and use for cutting. I would not want to pay twice for a pattern at these prices just because I ruined the original trying to get it to fit.
Have fun!
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Fictionfan
Posted on: 2/11/09 9:08 AM ET
I agree with what others have said. I love their shirts, I love thier jackets, I love just about everything that I have tried. If you like BWOF, you will like Marfy, but their sizing is a little different. There is a Marfy sew along around here somewhere and you can get all the helpthat you might need. Chance are that if you are working on a pattern, someone else is working on it too. You don't have to order it directly from Italy if that makes you nervous, you can get it through BMV.
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http://beccabeckstuff.blogspot.com/
Damn the muslin, full speed ahead!
Damn the muslin, full speed ahead!
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