I have recently begun sewing again and, after an afternoon of being measured by my husband, was horrified to learn that I have “outgrown” my multi-size patterns by 1/2-1 size. Presumably, I’m better off sizing down than up, so in the future, I will buy patterns in the next size range. Unfortunately, that won’t help me with my ‘oldies but goodies’. Can someone help me know how to alter a pattern UP?
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Replies
Grading up
Often, you can get updated versions of your favorites in new sizes on sale for $1.99, but you can grade up your oldies but goodies fairly easily, too.
Take a look at a pattern that still has at least two or three sizes on the tissue. You will notice some areas where all the sizes share one line (possibly a neckline or waistline) and other areas where there are equally spaced lines for different sizes (e.g. side seam). All you need to do is add tissue to those areas with the multiple lines; one size is about 1/4 inch. I set a simple pencil compass to 1/4" and trace along the existing line to get a new, larger line exactly 1/4 inch outside.
Just make sure that you re-size all parts of the pattern that you will be using so that all of them fit together. I like to run a colored marker along the lines of the new size so that I can be sure that I've checked all of them before cutting.
Hadn't thought of a compass
Thanks Teaf5, I hadn't thought of using a compass for drawing 'straight' lines...I've only used them for circles. That's just what I was looking for because it will solve the problem of the sleeve holes.
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