What do you do when you need to make a formal dress for a tiny 13-year-old? The patterns don’t exist. In fact, most formals begin at size 8! Juniors only has sportwear. My daughter is petite and will probably never be larger than a 2 or 4. Where do you find fashionable patterns for tiny women?
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Replies
I went thru this with my daughter. At the time I was able to get a Vogue size 4 and do a muslin in the style she wanted. I cut it way down but we got it to fit. She probably was a two or a zero at the time. Nineteen inch waist! Won't forget that.
If it were me, I would focus on the bodice. If you can find an attractive bodice, it shouldn't be too difficult to find a skirt pattern. There are a lot of cute bodices in summer sportswear that would look elegant in a rich fabric.
Most patterns are two sizes larger than a rtw size, so a size 8 will fit a person who can wear a size 4 in rtw. Also, Misses sizes and Girls sizes overlap in both rtw and in patterns --a girl's size 12 is the same as a Miss/Jr. 8, I think-- so you may be able to mix and match patterns to fit.
While sewing for my super-slim daughter, I used to trace patterns off tops/skirts that fit her snugly and use them to fit the smallest patterns I could find. Even as an adult, she is far narrower across the back than any size pattern, so I need to do the same thing.
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