I am trying to make a size 3 into a size 2 for my granddaughter. It is a western shirt pattern with out the yoke. The measurements on the pattrn are chest–22, waist–20.5, hips no measurement. Hers are chest–20, waist–19.75, hip–21.5. I made a pleat up and down the front and also the back of .5 inch on each. A pleat of 1/8 of an inch at the middle of the armhole and .25 of an inch at the waist. Of course the same will have to be taken off of the sleeve. I have looked for a pattern in toddler sizes but no luck. I did find the overall pattern in burda but do not like their pattern instructions. Those are made and look good. Not for some help on the shirt. Any suggeations.
JeanE
Replies
For the small difference in the sizes between your grandgirl and the pattern, I would sew the blouse in the size you have. She will fit into it in no time, and it will be too small for her in no time as well.
You don't know my daughter. She likes things to fit right. I agree and that was the way I sewed for her when she was small but this is an only child and she is kind of tickie. Do you think I have taken too much in on the pattern.
Yes, I think you took in too much. The measurements as you wrote them indicate that she only has 2" ease in the chest and 3/4" ease in the waist. I wouldn't take in at all. If she has a 20" chest and you make a 20" shirt, she wont be able to breath or lift her arms.
When you list the "measurements on the pattern" do you mean the measurements on the envelope for the size you have, or the measurements you have taken for the pattern pieces themselves? I ask this with regard to CostumerVal's comments above. Of course, if you measure the pattern pieces themselves to compute finished size, and compare them to the fitting measurements on the pattern's envelope, you can get some idea of the ease required.
I would check the resulting neck measurement with your altered pattern, to be sure you haven't made the neckline too small. And when you say you took a 1/8 inch pleat in the armscye, you mean a horizontal pleat across the bodice, shortening the armscye front and back?
The way I'm reading what you've said is that you've removed an inch on both front and back by taking a 1/2 inch vertical pleat, which would reduce the size from 22 inches to 20. That sounds right to me, providing the measurements you listed on the pattern were not the finished size, but the "pattern size". And I think I would just taper in at the waist in the side seams to take in the additional difference, rather than making another pleat at the waist in the pattern. What do you think?
Edited 1/11/2008 11:48 am ET by Josefly
Edited 1/11/2008 11:51 am ET by Josefly
Josefly
Thank you for your help. That was what I was looking for. The measurements were from the patterns. Size 2 and 3. Her measurement in the chest is 19. Size 2 is 20 and size 3 is 22. The different size 2 patterns that I have fit fine with a little growing room. I also looked again for size 2 woven shirt patterns to no avail. Only sleeveless or for knit only. I have taken in up and down a 1/4 inch pleat in the pattern and an 1/8 inch in the armhole. the same in the width of the sleeve. the finished length of bodice and sleeve can be done later. Does that sound right?
JeanE
Where did you take up the 1/8 inch in the armhole?
Josefly
I took th 1/8 in the center of the sleeve up and down. The shirt is finished and went togather real well. I put it against a blouse I had made and I think it will work well. By the way, I always draw the pattern pieces on a thin paper kind of like thin thin pellon so I have the pattern if I want to make it again without remeasureing again.
JeanE
I'm so glad the shirt worked out well for you.
Thank you Josefly
I tried the shirt on Maggie today and it fit nicely with just enough room to spare. I had to alter the overalls however. I took up the with of a 3 quite a bit but it still was too big. It was a burda pattern in a 3 thru 8. It should fit now. Again thank you.
JeanE
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