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Marfy patterns

HeartFire | Posted in Patterns on

Has anyone here used Marfy patterns? I just ordered one, I was wondering if the instructions come in english or just Italian?
Judy

Replies

  1. ShannonG4d | | #1

    Judy,

    Marfy patterns come with NO instructions.  You get the pattern pieces (no seam allowance included) trimmed to the size you ordered.  It's a bit of a jigsaw puzzle sometimes to put them together, but the cut is superb.  You'll find these patterns to be every bit as beautifully designed as the best Italian tailors' offerings. 

    Shannon

    1. HeartFire | | #2

      Shannon,
      Thank you, I like the no seam allowance part, since I like to sew with 1/2 inch seams and 1/4 inch at necklines. and I can deal with the no instructions, only sometimes its nice to have some guidance as to sequence of putting some parts together,I'm taking a class with Susan Khalje in Feb. (she wrote the book "Bridal Couture") and I"m going to use one of the Marfy wedding dress patterns for the class.

      1. ShannonG4d | | #3

        Lucky you! The class will be amazing, I am sure.  We'd love to see pictures!

        I think Marfy has the prettiest wedding gown patterns on the market.  Your dress will be stunning!

        Shannon

      2. carolfresia | | #4

        Susan Khalje and a Marfy wedding dress? I can hardly thing of a better way to spend a week! Please do post photos when you're done to inspire us all, and have a great time.

        Carol

        1. HeartFire | | #5

          Carol,
          I was re-reading the latest issue of Threads with my morning tea last week when I happened to come across the small add for her workshop, it said "Houston". since I live here I investigated a bit, and only after I decided to take the class did I realise that she is the one who wrote this book that I have read and re-read (and drooled over the dresses in it) I'll be glad to post pictures when its done.Shannon - when you buy Marfy patterns where do you order them from? on line from Italy? or is there somewhere in the States you order from?
          Thanks
          Judy

          1. ShannonG4d | | #6

            Judy, there is one (maybe two) US distributors of Marfy, which are listed on the Marfy website. I order from Italy; the service is good, and I'm not patient enough to wait for a distributor:)  Don't spend the extra money on airmail, as the regular service is faster than you might expect.  I generally get my order within about a week or 10 days.  You'll save shipping if you order several patterns; I usually order the catalog, which has a few bound-in patterns in multiple sizes.  The bridal catalog does not include sample patterns.

            Shannon

          2. HeartFire | | #7

            Shannon,
            HELP! I got the pattern today, its No. s116 if you want to go look it up. I like the draping of the overskirt and want to 'play ' with that collar.Anyway, I think I have figured the pattern out, I assume "whole half front" means place on fold? (its just that its an oxymoron) the ribbon pieces must be the bows and I finally figured out the underskirt is attached to a dropped waist bodice piece, I guess that keeps a lot of the bulk out of the waist area (good idea).
            in the picture of the dress, the sleeves are below the elbow, the pattern piece for the sleeve is definitely above the elbow, Do they do that? just give you the basic piece and its up to you to lengthen it as you want?

          3. ShannonG4d | | #8

            Judy,

            I cannot find the particular design to which you refer; it isn't on the website.

            However, you are correct about the center front on fold being 'whole half-front'.  As for the sleeve length, I'd run up a muslin to check the length.  Remember, they don't include hem allowances either.  The drawing vs. pattern might be due in part to the hem allowance or a lace application.

            Shannon

          4. HeartFire | | #9

            Shannon, it is in the first bridal collection, not the recent one, here is a link (its awfully long..)
            The sleeve is below elbow and then has 3 flounces sewn on, but your right, I didn't think about the seam allowances when I held it up to my arm, though I still think it would need lenghtening some, I'll play with it in the muslin since we have to have this put together before the class.
            Thanks
            Judyhttp://www.marfy.it/eng/activenews.asp?idcat=3522&idart=29464&azione=detail&layout=standard&cid=A151L156L220041215223542BYTEYTBGXXR04174811

          5. Barbaran8 | | #10

            That looks like a Georgian style sleeve, from around 1770. It actually is just above the elbow - and then the flounces come from just above the elbow. You can have a tighter sleeve that way - no allowance for the elbow bending in the upper sleeve - but still comfortable to wear. I would carefully measure the point of shoulder to the point of elbow on the bride the dress is being made for, and *then* set the length of that sleeve.

          6. HeartFire | | #11

            Thank you very much Barb. I can just see all those flounces dripping into food as you try to eat! but what you said does make sense.
            Judy

          7. Barbaran8 | | #12

            In period, they often made several different lace flounces, and then detached them when they were working over something that the flounce might dip into.... and actually I think this is where the "don't reach across the table" rule came from, because your elbows shouldn't cross your plate if you just keep them close to your sides, and thus no flounce in the gravy.

          8. Michelle | | #13

            "I can just see all those flounces dripping into food as you try to eat!"

            Brides aren't ment to eat ;)

            Regards,

            shelly in Jerusalem

          9. HeartFire | | #14

            I've been fitting the muslin for this bridal gown. Some interesting things about the Marfy pattern, first I had to raise the armhole by almost 3/4 inch, and lengthen the front (and side and back) waist length at least 1/2 inch. then there were a few other minor adjustments to it, but I've gotten it to fit nicely.
            Second, in altering the pattern, I went back to the original and measured the front and side fronts on the princess line, there was no allowance for ease in the side front piece, there should be 1/8 to 1/4 inch of ease over the bust point. the two pattern pieces measured the same, On the side seams, the side front was 1/8 inch longer than the side back seam (I suppose you could have a tiny bit of ease near the underarm seam, but we never learned to do that in school)I am 5'7" and 135# I fit a McCalls sz 12 pattern with very little adjustments, so I was really surprised at how much I had to raise the armhole and lower the waist.oh, also the sleeves were way too tight - I'm not a weight lifter either so I don't have very muscular arms but I had to add 1/2 inch to the width of the sleeve at the bicept / elbowJudy

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