Hi from Adelaide, Australia – hope you get the pun on my Screen name-Maid=made. I’m an avid seamstress and quilter. My current problem is that I need to make a brocade jacket. I am 5′ tall and weigh 9-10 stone. The pattern I have chosen is collarless, one button just above the waistline, princess line from the armscye. short hip length and curved at centre front. See Simplicity 7010 if you have time. Will this suit my waistless little body? Bye bye for now now, AussieMaid
Edited 8/10/2005 11:10 pm ET by AussieMaid
Replies
What bra cup size do you wear? Patterns are drafted for a B cup and altering a princess style is more difficult than adjusting bust size in a darted style or undarted boxy style.
How well do your measurements agree with the standard sizes available? Are you familiar with adjusting patterns to suit your figure?
This style can be flattering and suggest more shape than you seem to think you have, so can be a great choice if you are able to do the fitting.
Hi Pasdenom, I have a D bust and always have to increase the bust area, usually using bust darts - I don't often sew princess line yet I love that styling. I have thought of transferring the armscye shape to from the shoulder seam shape, which may be a little easier to adjust. Over to you...
You might do better with a pattern from Silhouettes, which has cup size adjustments included, or Petite Plus, which is drafted for a busty figure. Simplicity is drafted for a B cup and it will take time and skill to fit this for yourself. If they don't have the exact garment you want it will still be easier to do something like lop off the top of a princess style dress rather than redraft the princess contours.
AussieMaid, if you can get your hands on the Palmer/Pletsch book Fit for Real People, you will find step by step directions for altering the princess line to accomodate your full bust. The directions for altering a princess line start about page 147. If you follow those steps, altering a princess line pattern is no more difficult than any other full bust adjustment.
I don't have to increase my bust to anywhere near yours, but I always have to lower it, and the instructions in the P/P book are always in front of me when I do....thus my familiarity with the page number.
mary ann
hello I am in Melbourne ! I would think it was fine but I also think that you shoulkd consider wearing the the one colour under the jacket and possibly leaving the front button undone so that you have a verticle line of continuous colour . This will tend to make you look longer .
Good thought Mem - silly me, I have bought a remnant of gorgeous black Italian pure fine wool which will only do a skirt. I'll have to put my thinking cap on for a suitable black top to peep out from the jacket.
Newbie here. How about a black sequin top for the black wool skirt (depending on the occasion and how dressy you want to be)? If that is too much, maybe dress up a plain black shell/blouse with appliques or cording?
Oldcrone in Texas, USA
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