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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: pennypins
Date: 04-29-2004, 06:11 AM (1 of 11)
Don't know if I'm spelling her name right, but just thought I'd post a head's up on this pattern line.

Its very smal sizing! My dd is 12, very slim but tall. I measured her, then referenced that to the printed pattern measurements. I don't usually go all out with checking and altering patterns for her...she's almost always a size 10 width wise and a size 12 lengthwise. Well I did the a top with a gathered seam below the chest, in size 14 lengthwise and it ended up looking like it would fit a six year old! Had to add two inches length wise to each bodice piece to get it to fit!! And then the skirt, I again had cut out the size 14 length and the size 10 width. Too tight across the tummy (and this girl has no tummy!), and too short. Couldn't save that one, as I had no extra fabric.

So just thought I'd pass it on.

Penny
http://community.webshots.com/user/pennypins
was "plcp" at SWN since Jan/01
User: pennypins
Member since: 02-25-2003
Total posts: 39
From: sewserious
Date: 04-29-2004, 07:17 AM (2 of 11)
I am assuming you used pattern 5225 as there are several of this line of pattern and I am just guessing from your description.

It looks to me as though this top is supposed to end just below the waist or at high hip. How long did you want it to be?

The skirt has only 1 inch of ease and is made to wear 1 inch below the waistline. Could it be that the skirt is just tighter than what your daughter is used to wearing but still fits? An inch of ease is not much but should be comfortable. How long did you want the skirt? The shorter view looks as though it would hit just above the knee.

I have found it pays to measure the pattern pieces. It is a pain in the you-know-what and it really shouldn't be necessary. I had a bad experience as you did and decided it was worth my time.
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003
Total posts: 112
From: pennypins
Date: 04-30-2004, 05:39 AM (3 of 11)
I know I should measure pattern pieces....its such a drag though! I do all that work and altering for my own garments, and there's standard alterations for dh's patterns. But with dd I just didn't think it necessary, learned my lesson! The top on her ended just at the waist, maybe a bit above, with no room for hem. The seam line went across the middle of the chest instead of just below. She's long waisted, so bottoms always end up stitting on her hips, and it was tight enough that she had trouble sitting down. The whole outfit looked really pretty though!

I'm starting a skort pattern for her...from McCalls...this probably doesn't make any real sense but I found that nothing from the Simplicity line turns out well for my own garments so I buy the McCalls patterns based on a pair of pants that I had so much succes with. So dd's skort is from McCalls, and this time I pinfitted it!! :)

Penny
http://community.webshots.com/user/pennypins
was "plcp" at SWN since Jan/01
User: pennypins
Member since: 02-25-2003
Total posts: 39
From: sewserious
Date: 04-30-2004, 07:27 AM (4 of 11)
It is a pain to have to measure, I agree. Good luck with your skort.

I have found that different pattern company patterns fit different people in different ways. Personally, Simplicity usually fit me best without much alteration followed closely by Kwik-Sew and New Look. I find McCall's and Butterick to be too "long-waisted" for me and they usually require the greatest number of alterations. I have only tried on Vogue pattern, a pair of pants, and they fit perfectly without any alterations. I could not believe it and that has become my basic pants pattern.

Just keep plugging along and happy sewing!
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003
Total posts: 112
From: Mother in Law
Date: 04-30-2004, 11:42 PM (5 of 11)
I got my Grands that pattern. She wants me to make that skirt for her. She is the perfect size 12 on all the other patterns measurements but I'm not sure what to do now. If it doesn't fit I have another Grand that could always grow into it she's a size 8 in the waist and a 12 in the lenght. I'll let you know when it's finished. I haven't cut it out yet.
User: Mother in Law
Member since:
Total posts:
From: sewserious
Date: 05-01-2004, 07:03 AM (6 of 11)
Measure the actual pattern tissue pieces to find out the finished measurements and compare that to you granddaughter's measurements. That should tell you whether or not the pattern will fit or will need to be made larger.
User: sewserious
Member since: 08-24-2003
Total posts: 112
From: Mother in Law
Date: 05-01-2004, 07:27 PM (7 of 11)
Thanks sewserious, I'll try that. They told me at the fabric store to measure her and go by the back of the pattern envelope.
User: Mother in Law
Member since:
Total posts:
From: pennypins
Date: 05-02-2004, 06:38 AM (8 of 11)
Good luck with your project...let us know how it turns out! Hopefully you'llhave a better fit than I did :)

Penny
http://community.webshots.com/user/pennypins
was "plcp" at SWN since Jan/01
User: pennypins
Member since: 02-25-2003
Total posts: 39
From: Mother in Law
Date: 05-02-2004, 04:17 PM (9 of 11)
I will, Penny.
User: Mother in Law
Member since:
Total posts:
From: Shellymoon
Date: 05-06-2004, 10:31 PM (10 of 11)
Thanks for the heads up on Lizzie's patterns. We have about six of them waiting for mama to get a free afternoon. I usually do some measuring because my little darling has my problem--she's a bit on the short side and has more curves than the downtown Dallas traffic mixmaster.
Shelly Moon
User: Shellymoon
Member since: 05-27-2001
Total posts: 240
From: blessedmommyuv3
Date: 05-21-2004, 11:02 PM (11 of 11)
I just made up 2 of the lizzie mcguire patterns for my 12 yo dd. I made shorts using patterns 5228 & 5122. They both turned out very well. I used size 10 1/2 for everything but length and for length I used the 16 1/2 cutting line on #5228 & added 2 inches to the bottom of #5122. I tried using the 16 1/2 cutting line for the 5122 also, but it made the crotch too low... I found that even with the extra length the denim shorts made with 5228 were too short by my dh and my standards, so I serged the edges of the waist and legs and encased them in a nice 4" patterned trim. I then added the same trim to the pockets. It kinda jazzed them up. All, in all, my dd loves them both and I was able to use $2/yd material from Walmart so they were inexpensive and cute. What more can you ask for? LOL! :bluesmile
User: blessedmommyuv3
Member since: 05-18-2004
Total posts: 263
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