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Member since 10/26/06
Posts: 241
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Posted on: 2/7/07 8:20 AM ET
I know there is a lot out there but I need a "break it down barney style, as if you are teaching a 5 year old" pattern drafting book to help me learn how to do alteration/modifications on my patterns..... please share any info of books you own.
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My Blog: www.trinilove.typepad.com
  
Member since 2/19/04
Posts: 10120
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Posted on: 2/7/07 8:34 AM ET
In reply to trinicity
Are you interested in drafting your own patterns? Or are you looking for books on altering patterns you already own to make them fit better?
  
Member since 10/26/06
Posts: 241
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Posted on: 2/7/07 8:42 AM ET
In reply to frame
seeing that I'm a beginner, I think getting one that will help me alter premade patterns will be a good place to start
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My Blog: www.trinilove.typepad.com
  
Member since 7/28/03
Posts: 1405
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Posted on: 2/7/07 8:47 AM ET
In reply to trinicity
Do you want pattern drafting, i.e. making changes to the style, or alterations, i.e. fixing the fit? They're pretty different..

If you are just starting out, I highly recommend starting with alterations concepts. I have Fit for Real People, also known here at PatternReview as FFRP. Many other people swear by Fast Fit.

If you want to make a custom fitting sloper, which is a very basic garment based on your measurements that you can use as a basis for either alterations or pattern drafting, I recommend European Cut by Elizabeth Allemong. Long thread - European Cut Sew Along Her directions are not as clear as in Kenneth King's Moulage, available for sale here on PR - Kenneth King's Books on CD - but she includes the whole shebang on one book - bodice, skirt, sleeve, torso and pants, whereas King has one book per topic.

If you want to learn pattern drafting - developing your own original designs - I recommend Patternmaking for Fashion Design by Helen Joseph Armstrong. That is one pricy book, but extremely thorough and I think worth every penny.

HTH and cheers!
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Suo ergo maledicto

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. - Steve Jobs
  
Member since 2/19/04
Posts: 10120
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Posted on: 2/7/07 8:52 AM ET
In reply to trinicity
Most people here will recommend Fit for Real People. I personally prefer Fitting Finesse by Nancy Zieman. There is also the book, Fast Fit, by Sandra Betzina as previously mentioned. I've never seen it. You can check out the book reviews here on PR. Definitely see if you can locate any of these books in your library to help you decide if they are what you are looking for. Good luck.

ETA: I forgot to mention The Perfect Fit. I think it was originally part of the Singer Sewing Library Series, but it's now published by Creative Publishing international.

Incidentally, you can see excerpts of all these books on Amazon.com.

Edited again for typos. Geez.
-- Edited on 2/7/07 9:13 AM --
-- Edited on 2/7/07 9:16 AM --
  
Member since 4/11/02
Posts: 10809
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Posted on: 2/7/07 9:34 AM ET
Adele P. Margolis' book, Make Your Own Dress Patterns (that's an Amazon link) has been reprinted and is easy to find now. It's much cheaper than Armstrong, and seems easier to understand because Adele is writing for home sewers and not design students. It's not so textbook-y or classroom-y IYKWIM. The only caveat is that Adele's book does not cover pants in any detail. It's definitely for *dresses* and *blouses* and shows you how you should rotate darts and slash/spread, etc. for many different styles. The drawings are 1960s-ish but the info is still very applicable.

But it's a good book and a less expensive way to find out whether you like pattern manipulation or if it makes your eyes glaze over.

For a fitting resource, I'm in the FFRP slash/spread camp, especially for those new to pattern fitting.
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"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com
  
Member since 6/6/04
Posts: 540
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Posted on: 2/7/07 11:05 AM ET
Quote:
Adele P. Margolis' book, Make Your Own Dress Patterns (that's an Amazon link) has been reprinted and is easy to find now. It's much cheaper than Armstrong, and seems easier to understand because Adele is writing for home sewers and not design students.


I agree whole heartedly! Adele P. Margolis also has a book that you can get at Abebooks.com for fairly cheap entitled Clothes that Fit and Flatter and also her Sewing for Beginner's book is a must for anyone starting. With that book a sewist can get through any of the patterns she/he would want to sew. . .or at least know what questions to ask to get the answers they need.

Ms. Margolis did write from 1960ish to later in the 70's I think and she doesn't cover pants as Debbie Cook said but all her information is tremendously relevant. And she has lists! Complete with numbers (instruction 1., 2., 3., etc.) Oh, and Ms. Margolis has a lovely sense of humor and is a very easy read.

HTH
  
Member since 7/28/03
Posts: 1405
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Posted on: 2/7/07 11:53 AM ET
In reply to Debbie Cook
Thanks Debbie for bringing that one to my attention! I agree, Armstrong is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. I was lucky enough to get a free copy from my mom, who had no more use for it - I doubt I would have spent the bucks otherwise.
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Suo ergo maledicto

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. - Steve Jobs
  
Member since 2/19/04
Posts: 10120
Send Message
Posted on: 2/7/07 1:31 PM ET
Oops, did I misunderstand the question? Looks like it. The question was about altering for design not fit, right? I missed the boat on that one. Thank goodness you can always rely on someone here to have the right answers. :)
  
Member since 9/12/05
Posts: 1707
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Posted on: 2/7/07 1:49 PM ET
How to Make Sewing Patterns is good. It's really geared towards the home sewer working alone. Here's Donald McCunn's web site if you want to get a look at the table of contents.
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“Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known.”
~Garrison Keillor~
  
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