Expert: Vinette de Phillipe - 2/21/2008

Question
QUESTION: I bought a Vogue pattern in the largest Misses size, but not all of my measurements match theirs, my bust is the same but my waist and hips are larger, I'm making a dress that has a high waist band and a semi flair skirt, but I want to be able to adjust the pattern to fit smoothly, the difference in the waist is 5" and the difference in the hips is 3 1/2".

ANSWER: HI Eva
I would suggest marking on the pattern the enlarged measurements and then using a ruler to connect the changes to the areas that you do not need to alter.

if the skirt pattern is 4 panels, then you only need to add 1 1/4 inch to each seam

when you add to the waist, you should be able to taper to the hip area for a smooth line.

vinette

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I don't understand your answer.  The bust of the dress is perfect, it's the waist and possibly the hip area that I would need to alter outward, but bear in mind that I'm already using the largest pattern so do I need to add to the paper pattern or just measure out with a tape then cut?

ANSWER: hI Eva,
Sorry ;my answer was not clear enough for you.  I understand the bust is OK.

I suggest marking the enlargements on the paper pattern, you may need to add paper if necessary.

Mark the changes on the skirt part of the pattern.  Taper up the area that is OK.  

I did some refiguring and if the skirt is in 4 panels, 2 front and 2 back then at each seam you need to add 3/4 inch.  this will give you the 5 inches you need for the waist.

CAn you give me the pattern number so I can better see what we are talking about??

vinette

You have

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Vinette for your time, the Vogue pattern number is V8380 and the largest size on my pattern is 18 the measurements on the pattern are Bust: 40", Waist: 32", Hip: 42", and my measurements are B: 38, W: 35, and Hip: 43.  It doesn't look like I was as large as I thought.

Answer
Hi Eva,
After looking at the pattern, I do not think you will need to make any, unless minor, because the dress is not fitted, but sort of gathered.  You can double check the measurement by measuring the pattern, seam line to seam line to find out how it stacks up to your measurements.

usually garments of this type have a lot of ease so they will flow.

vinette