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Member since 11/5/02
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Posted on: 11/18/14 11:54 PM ET
I love reading the pattern reviews of patterns that I just bought or have owned for awhile. It really helps to visualize how the pattern looks in real life (hate those pattern drawings-always makes me skeptical)
The one thing I wish the reviewer would include however is the SIZE or SIZES they used. This would help me gauge the fit of the pattern. Is there a way of adding a drop down box or something to the review template to ask for the size used?
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Member since 10/26/08
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Posted on: 11/19/14 1:59 AM ET
In reply to Mrs.Moos
This would be extremely helpful to many. I know a lot of review readers look for members with a similar body type and measurements for many reasons.

Just a side note: There are one or more members who read the reviews and mark "HELPFUL" if the reviewer hasn't included the size pattern they've used for their garment. I definitely don't agree with this. Perhaps having a separate line or something to remind the review writer to include their size(s) could eliminate this "problem".
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Re: Topic moved (posted on 11/19/14 6:49 AM ET)
This topic has been moved from Announcements to Pattern Reviews
  
Member since 4/8/02
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Posted on: 11/19/14 7:07 AM ET
I don't find the "size used" particularly helpful unless the reviewer includes a note about how she (or he!) compares it to actual body measurements. When someone says "I used a 12, even though my measurements would have put me closer to a 16," then I can make a better guess about how much ease and drafting over-enthusiasm the company put into the design.
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“Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.” -Robert Heinlein and Ann's father. Thanks for the reminder, Ann.

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Member since 8/2/03
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Posted on: 11/19/14 7:53 AM ET
But what do we do if the pattern doesn't have a size? I use a lot of pattern software and there isn't a size on that.
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Member since 12/18/02
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Posted on: 11/19/14 8:40 AM ET
In reply to annenet
I have felt that for a long time Pattern Review should really be called "Look What I Made".
  
Member since 4/17/12
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Posted on: 11/19/14 10:30 AM ET
In reply to Karla Kizer
What I really, truly want to know is two things. First, I'd love to know how much total ease (garment size above body size) there is at whatever is the key measurement, e.g. hips for a skirt, bust for a top, both for a dress, in the garment as sewn. That will educate me on fit and looks whether I make that exact pattern or not.

For instance, I have learned that I like between 4" and 6" ease at the hips. But not everyone has figured out her preferred range yet. Seeing "oh, that's what a skirt looks like with 2" of ease" or "4 inches" or whatever can help guide. The second thing I'd like is, did the sewist sew the size that the pattern envelope told her to buy based on her measurements, or did she sew a different size to achieve this level of ease?

So if I ended up sewing 5" of ease in a fitted skirt, did I choose from the column indicated for my size hips, or did I have to go up or down from there to achieve that?

[Edited to remove specific size reference--including that came across differently than intended----see my later post for clarification--thanks.]

Thanks for listening to our wish-lists, Deepika!
-- Edited on 11/19/14 at 1:11 PM --
-- Edited on 11/19/14 at 1:15 PM --
  
Member since 8/14/05
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Posted on: 11/19/14 10:52 AM ET
Oh boy have we ever talked this subject a LOT - it always ends up that it is nice of people to review patterns, period, and that we cannot hope to enforce regulations about what people include.

Yes, loads of info and not just a link to a blog would be great! Most reviewers do a great job and include a link to a blog to enhance the already good review.

Size is always interesting, but as Karla says, not the key. A picture of the garment on the person is a key to me. A picture on a mannequin is about a 1 on the scale of 1-10 to me. But then again, you see the fabric at least.

kittykate - at least "Look what I made" is encouraging people to sew. I am not ever about competition, and if I actually read a review, I mark it Very Helpful, and that's because someone took the time to review. In years past here, it is true I was a bit caustic at times with sewing machine reviews, but over time I realized people do what they can, and any attempt to regulate that just is not in the spirit of helpfulness. We have templates in review screens, but there is no way to enforce usage, and neither should there be. :)
-- Edited on 11/19/14 at 10:55 AM --
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Member since 4/27/08
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Posted on: 11/19/14 10:59 AM ET
I think the template does an adequate job of giving the reviewer an option to answer this question as thoroughly or vaguely as they are comfortable, both skill and confidence wise. Some of us are not yet at a point where we can say "I like 3 inches of ease in the bust and one im the waist" or what have you. I am only now getting to a point where I can articulate fit preference in understandable terms at all! Some people also aren't confident enough in themselves to share their body measurements or sizes, and I think both of these are valid.

I have taken to answering the size question by stating "I measured to be an X and cut an A. I had to do Q amount of adjustment to get a fit I prefer." I think reviews are so valuable by looking at them contextually--what does this person usually sew? Does this person choose loose fit or closer fit garments? The reviewer can never read your collective minds, and we would be at it forever if we had to answer each question to every reader's preferred specificity. It also gers redundant to constantly add information about fit preference ro a review. XD
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Member since 7/23/07
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Posted on: 11/19/14 11:01 AM ET
This issue comes up every so often. At the heart of the issue is that people are self-conscious about their real size. I've participated in several similar threads and I've heard many PR members say taht it's easier for the slim/thin members to post their measurements than for the Plus Sized members.

However, I think the good compromise is along the lines of "I made my usual size in this brand and the garment was too big/too tight/ just right"

For myself, I try to write very detailed reviews (notice how few I have up, LOL!) and typically sew the same sizes: 10 or 12 + alterations for Big 4, 19 or 38 + alterations for Burda. Still, I mention the starting size.

Further, if someone chose a crazy different size based on the finished garment measurments OR personal measuring of the pattern pieces, please indicate that!

People always gripe here about being "forced" to do reviews a certain way but I just want to remind them that this is a crowd-sourced ressource intended to help others.

If you are vague or terse, you're not really helping as much as you can, are you?
  
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