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From: cclebl
Date: 04-25-2005, 03:05 PM (1 of 7)
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Okay, my daughter outgrew her favorite shirt & McCalls doesn't make it anymore. How do I make the pattern bigger to fit her growing body? I've never done anything like that before. I am just now starting to get brave enough to go beyond the step by step instructions on the patterns. Do I just lay out the pattern and cut it bigger? Thanks, Carolyn
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User: cclebl
Member since: 04-25-2005 Total posts: 27 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-26-2005, 09:03 AM (2 of 7)
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First of all, no matter what you do, you will never be able to totally duplicate the fit and feel of THE SKIRT. So, if she doesn't get as excited when she wears it, or doesn't wear it as much you shouldn't be too hurt...they just never feel quite the same, even if they are made at exactly the same time out of the same material (don't ask my why...it is one of those mysteries of the universe). Actually, doing this is not that hard. Take her critical measurments, waist and hips. If you purchased your pattern by the measurments of the mfg as shown on the back of the pattern envelope, then just take the difference of her current measurments and the mfg. measurments on the envelope. Divide the differenc by 4 and that will be the amount that you add to the sides (front AND back) of your pattern. If the pattern has several gores, you may want to divide by a larger number and add to each of the gores IF they are equal or if the difference is quite large. If it is not gored and the difference at the waist is quite large, you may need to move the waste darts. If you purchased your pattern and made it by the measurments on the pattern (not the envelope), you'll need to do a little more figuring, adding in allocations for ease. When it comes to adding the new amounts, just gently slope toward the measurments. Try not to change the lines of the skirt too much when you do this because you do not want to redesign the skirt. That means that you may need to add a tiny bit more at the hips. An alternative is that if you find that she has gained a REAL size and your pattern has grading lines (for other sizes) on it, you can just add where the grading lines are in proportion to the size that she would have been. So if you have an 8-10-12 pattern that you cut for a 10, and the difference between and 8 and 10 are the same as a 10 and 12 according to the sizes on the envelope, you can just duplicate the measurments on the pattern as the differences between the 8 and 10. That will give you a true size 12. If she were a size 14, you would just double that difference, if the measurments progress the same. This makes a much smoother pattern change than adding your own inches and is much less frusterating. When it comes to the waistband, you just add on the total amount you added to the waist. A WORD OF ADVISE: If this is a pattern that you might make again, put the redrawn alterations on paper or interfacing that can be saved so you may not have to do this again. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 04-26-2005, 12:28 PM (3 of 7)
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Pam, she said sHirt, not sKirt.. Sleeves and collars make a difference in fitting..More work to it, .. I think I would look in the pattern books for a similar pattern with all the same features.. Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: cclebl
Date: 04-26-2005, 12:37 PM (4 of 7)
It is for a shirt. It is very fitted. It was one of my first sewing projects and it actually turned out very nice. I will be honest and admit that I had to look up some of the terms used in the pattern.  My daughter is somewhat of a tom boy and doesn't 'do' dresses. I made the shirt and pants for her to wear to church. I used a boys pattern for the pants as she didn't like any of the girls pants. Thank you all so very much for the help. Wish me luck! Carolyn Carolyn
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User: cclebl
Member since: 04-25-2005 Total posts: 27 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-26-2005, 12:59 PM (5 of 7)
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Sorry, I hate GLASSES!!!! It is a little more complicated with a shirt. You can do the upsizing with using the other pattern sizes if they are still there to help, but it is a whole lot easier if you start with a new pattern. Sometimes when we grow up we just have to retire our favorite things. Beyond the problems with simple sizing also go the problems with proportions changing if you happen to be going from a younger size to an older sized pattern (denoted in womens' clohing by girls, jr, women, misses, petite, etc.). I isn't as clear in men and boys' patterns but it is still there. In addition, the men and boys proportion changes are much different from the ladies changes. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: cclebl
Date: 04-28-2005, 02:09 PM (6 of 7)
My daughter is getting a bust now and her hips are rounding out. The pants are going to have to be altered a little more than I thought.  My baby is growing up.
Carolyn
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User: cclebl
Member since: 04-25-2005 Total posts: 27 |
From: Vanessa's sewin
Date: 04-29-2005, 08:32 PM (7 of 7)
| Just a random thought, but you might check ebay or some local thrift stores and see if you can luck into finding the pattern again. It might be an easier option. |
User: Vanessa's sewin
Member since: 02-22-2005 Total posts: 30 |
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