I would appreciate information on how to alter a pattern created for stretch knits to make the garment from a woven fabric as well.
I remember trying this about twenty years ago, and I just decreased the seam allowances on the woven fabric garment, but I don’t know if there is something that will work better than that.
Thanks!
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Besides making each garment piece bigger (is that what you mean by "decreasing the seam allowances"?) you also have to take into account some kind of opening for the head/neck and the waistline because you can't stretch a woven fabric over your head even if it has a lot of spandex in it. Plus, shaping on woven fabrics is done by darts rather than by the stretch of the knit, so you may need to add those.
It's a lot easier to use a wovens-only pattern on knits than the other way around, but it's always best to use each type of pattern with the fabric called for. In many cases, the design and fit you like in the knit can't be achieved with a woven without major changes; however, it's often possible to find a very similar style in a woven-only pattern that will result in a garment that fits without nearly so much experimentation and alteration.
The knit pattern is the woven pattern without any ease so I guess you have to work out how much ease you will neddfor the style you want and try it. Also you may need to have openings to fit over heads and hips .
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