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Help with buying internationally (Moderated by Sharon1952)
Posted on: 5/13/11 8:22 PM ET
Hi All, just new to PatternReview and so glad I found it!
I've been on a fitness and lifestyle journey and have got down to an Australian 10-12 which is usually a US 8-10 yet going through my old patterns, according to measurement with, for example, Butterick and Vogue I am listed as a 14-16! WAAAAAA I know it's only a size but it seems my journey is in vain when I see this.
I have bought most of my patterns from the US, I am wondering if sizing is the same the world over? Are different measurement printed for different areas? It's not a major problem, just a curious inquiry.
Thanks,
Michelle
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I've been on a fitness and lifestyle journey and have got down to an Australian 10-12 which is usually a US 8-10 yet going through my old patterns, according to measurement with, for example, Butterick and Vogue I am listed as a 14-16! WAAAAAA I know it's only a size but it seems my journey is in vain when I see this.
I have bought most of my patterns from the US, I am wondering if sizing is the same the world over? Are different measurement printed for different areas? It's not a major problem, just a curious inquiry.
Thanks,
Michelle
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Michelle (Werribee, Victoria)
I'm the Lean Clean Fat Burning Sewing Machine! :-)
I'm the Lean Clean Fat Burning Sewing Machine! :-)
Posted on: 5/13/11 9:08 PM ET
In reply to iMowi
Michelle, pattern sizing has no relationship to RTW sizing no matter where in the world the patterns come from. You need to close your eyes and ignore the pattern sizing numbers.
We all find them big and ego deflating.
Each pattern company has it's own sizing and numbers, which you must get use to.
The Big 4 as they are called, that is Simplicity, Vogue, Butterick and McCalls are basically all the same when it comes to sizing. Once you determine your best starting size you should be able to use the same size across all Big 4 patterns. The only exception is wearing ease and this is something to really watch out for. Generally speaking these patterns have more ease than the RTW clothes we buy here in Australia.
For example I'm a straight size 10 in Australian RTW, no matter what the brand. My m'ments say I'm a size 14/16 in the Big 4 patterns but the size I start with is always a 12/14.
One tip is to measure your RTW clothes and compare these m'ments with the finished garment m'ments from your pattern. For me this is a good indicator of what size to start with. HTH
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We all find them big and ego deflating.
Each pattern company has it's own sizing and numbers, which you must get use to.The Big 4 as they are called, that is Simplicity, Vogue, Butterick and McCalls are basically all the same when it comes to sizing. Once you determine your best starting size you should be able to use the same size across all Big 4 patterns. The only exception is wearing ease and this is something to really watch out for. Generally speaking these patterns have more ease than the RTW clothes we buy here in Australia.
For example I'm a straight size 10 in Australian RTW, no matter what the brand. My m'ments say I'm a size 14/16 in the Big 4 patterns but the size I start with is always a 12/14.
One tip is to measure your RTW clothes and compare these m'ments with the finished garment m'ments from your pattern. For me this is a good indicator of what size to start with. HTH
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Belinda. Melbourne, Australia
http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/
http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 5/13/11 9:27 PM ET
Thanks so much for your reply Belinda. I have been sewing for years and years but had never been the size I was and therefore used to just buy the smallest sizing pattern and go from there. Same to say that when I was at my largest most of the plus size patterns were loose fitting and multi sized such as Large, X-Large etc and didn't need to be fitted as such.
Just working out my new measurements and then working out what pattern size I needed, it was just a bit of a shock. Though, I shall do as you say, ignore the pattern sizing and just continue on.
Well, back to the treadmill....thanks again
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Just working out my new measurements and then working out what pattern size I needed, it was just a bit of a shock. Though, I shall do as you say, ignore the pattern sizing and just continue on.

Well, back to the treadmill....thanks again

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Michelle (Werribee, Victoria)
I'm the Lean Clean Fat Burning Sewing Machine! :-)
I'm the Lean Clean Fat Burning Sewing Machine! :-)
Posted on: 5/13/11 10:49 PM ET
In reply to iMowi
You're welcome. If you feel inclined pop over to the Sewing Down Under thread. It's where all the Aussie and Kiwis hang out on this site.
Don't even try to read all the pages. We chat a lot.
Just skip to the last page.
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Don't even try to read all the pages. We chat a lot.
Just skip to the last page.------
Belinda. Melbourne, Australia
http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/
http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 5/14/11 1:42 AM ET
In reply to iMowi
Welcome to PR 
I wear a size 10-12 RTW, depends on the style, vanity sizing etc. I use 10-12 in the Big 4 and 38 in Burda. I have broad square shoulders and sometimes alter for that.
Belinda has given you great advice on the sizing round up and where we Down Under members, hang out. Pop in and say hello, always a friendly welcome waiting there

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I wear a size 10-12 RTW, depends on the style, vanity sizing etc. I use 10-12 in the Big 4 and 38 in Burda. I have broad square shoulders and sometimes alter for that.
Belinda has given you great advice on the sizing round up and where we Down Under members, hang out. Pop in and say hello, always a friendly welcome waiting there

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Vonne šOš Brisbane Australia
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Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age and dreams are forever.
We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.
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Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age and dreams are forever.
We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.
Posted on: 5/14/11 8:53 AM ET
I wear a 10-12 in US tops but a 14-16 in UK tops because our vanity sizing is slightly less vain.
However, because I buy patterns by my high bust not my full bust, and I'm a 34F, I am now starting with always a size 14 pattern and then altering the bust.
So if you live in the UK it can work both ways - I can't guarantee I'll get into a 14 RTW but I can pretty much guarantee a 14 pattern will work for me.
However, because I buy patterns by my high bust not my full bust, and I'm a 34F, I am now starting with always a size 14 pattern and then altering the bust.
So if you live in the UK it can work both ways - I can't guarantee I'll get into a 14 RTW but I can pretty much guarantee a 14 pattern will work for me.
Posted on: 5/14/11 12:50 PM ET
Also, if you are buying Patrones or La Mia Boutique, the patterns run smaller than Burda and Knip Mode.
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Marilyn
January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
Posted on: 5/14/11 7:15 PM ET
WOW! Are Crafty people the Kindest people or what? Thanks so much everyone, again...so glad I found this site! 
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Michelle (Werribee, Victoria)
I'm the Lean Clean Fat Burning Sewing Machine! :-)
I'm the Lean Clean Fat Burning Sewing Machine! :-)
Re: Topic moved (posted on 5/14/11 11:03 PM ET)
This topic has been moved from Fitting Woes to Patterns and Notions
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