Does anyone here sew with large sized patterns. I have been trying to sew a few things for my dd who lives in North Carolina – by guess work. I finally got her to slow down long enough to give me her three main measurements. She is a large sized girl and I think I can make some unstructured things for her to increase her work wardrobe. Here are the measurements that she gave me:
Bust – 40
Waist – 50
Hips – 53
Butterick patterns were on sale at Hancock Fabrics this week so I bought two patterns for her. There was really not much in Butterick for larger sizes to pick from. I chose Butterick 4623 lifestyle wardrobe pattern that has a short jacket, a long coat, pants in two lengths and a straight skirt. I also got Butterick 3784 which is six different views for blouses and tops.
The wardrobe pattern (4623) is for sizes 26W, 28W, 30W and 32W; I also have this same pattern in sizes 18W to 24W. Should I make the jacket from size 18W for a 40″ bust; or use the 20W to allow for ease in fit, the 20W is for a 42″ bust. Her waist is 50″and hips are #53″ The Pattern size 32W is for a 49″ waist and 56″ hips. I guess I could use the 32W size and add an inch to the waist, and taper the hips down three inches.
I’m not much on altering patterns, can any one give advice on this for me or recommend any other patterns or pattern companys for larger sizes that I am not familiar with?
Linda Faye
Replies
I should have read the posts on measurments here before I started this thread. It answered a lot of the questions that I posted here, and was very helpful.
Take a look at http://www.parkbenchpatterns.com and see if any of their designs would suit her. They have several loose fitting (but not baggy) designs. I have not tried them yet but hope to get one or two for a friend of mine.
Becky
Take a look at Barbara Deckerts book Sewing for Plus Sizes, I used to be a plus size and it is a good reference.
Nancy
PS Quite a while ago Deckert wrote a very nice article on this for Threads.
Even though I was just introduced to Threads magazine last month. I am so glad that I bought that copy because it lead me to this site. I am so thankful for all of the good advice that has been offered here.
LindaFaye
You do not say how tall this gal is. petitepluspatterns.com has specially drafted patterns for large sizes but they are shorter in the waist length than the regular misses patterns and would have to be lengthened to the waist if necessary. this would probably be easier than trying to adjust standard commercial patterns since the most problematic adjustments are already made for you. They are bigger in the waist, hips and thighs in addition to the bust (D cups). You need to get the proper fit in the shoulders and make the adjustments from there. Standard patterns are sold by bust measurements but are sized for a B cup which makes the shoulders, necklines, and armholes too big
Thanks, will take a look at these sites!
Oh yea, she not petite, she's about 5'7" or 5'8".
LindaFaye: the nicest selection of larger size patterns I have seen is at http://www.Purrfection.com. They cover everything in the wordrobe (artsy types of clothing) and go up to a size 6X. I would suggest making a test garment out of muslin to get the fit right. I have made several of thier patterns and my biggest gripe has been that the finished garment is a little too big (Oh happy days!) but it is an easily fixed problem:)
Another site is the sewing place at http://www.thesewingplace.com; on the left hand side of the page is an index. Click on the pattern by designer or pattern by garment type button, you will be able to browse all sorts of different pattern vendors!
I just ordered a few patterns from Petite Plus Patterns, but they haven't gotten here yet!
mimi
Thanks for the sites, will check them out.
I have sewn large sizes for myself for years. A garment doesn't look very good either too big or too small.
Several of my fitting books say that one should buy a pattern for the high bust measurement, so the neck, shoulders and armholes will fit, because the bust is easier to alter. Check out the books at Amazon.com or your library, although the library books might be a little dated. I have the Alto series of 3 fitting books, and they are excellent, in my opinion.
Check out the 'Todays Fit' by Sandra Betzina. They are Vogue patterns and deal with a more 'curvy' figure.
Thanks, will do.
That's very roughly near my size range. I like Burda Plus - they have a decent variety of good "real" structured clothes, and they're drafted for a larger cup size so I don't have to alter that. I do have to use three different sizes - one for bust/shoulders/neckline/sleeves, one for waist, and one for hips.
I also just tried my first "curvy girl" HotPatterns pattern - the Plain & Simple Princess Shirt - and am very pleased with it so far, though again I needed to use three different size lines.
Green Apple
Thanks again, I will consider all of these suggestions. I did go out and buy two books by Sandra Betzina last weekend. 1)Fast Fit - Easy Pattern Alterations for every figure; and 2) Power Sewing. I really like both of them.
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