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From: debsews
Date: 09-16-2005, 11:14 PM (1 of 9)
| My 8 yr old granddaughter wants me to make her a japanese style dress with the high collar. I have looked at all the pattern books and being not very adventurous don't know where else to look. Any ideas. I thought about taking a blouse pattern and trying to lengthen it but like I said not sure at all how to do something without a pattern and directions. Help! |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 09-16-2005, 11:54 PM (2 of 9)
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How about # 122 on this site? folkwear (http://www.folkwear.com/asian.html)
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: SewAddict
Date: 09-17-2005, 12:34 AM (3 of 9)
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Did you look in the costume section of the pattern books? I know one of the big three has the cutest Japanese dress in it. I am pretty sure it was in the costume section though. Angela |
User: SewAddict
Member since: 06-03-2005 Total posts: 25 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 09-17-2005, 11:07 AM (4 of 9)
I know it really isn't hard to take a top into a dress for a child. If you find a the top, then trace it into a dress. In my Kwik Sew for Children when they take tops/shirts into full length they add to the side from the armhole down at a flare (this might be 1" more or less for your preference) same amount front & back, then add length from center front & back to needed length. I really think the flare is just for ease over hips etc. How much would be you determination. You could always do the 1" seam allowances, do a pin fit and adjust it for final. All this if you don't find a pattern  My 8 yr old granddaughter wants me to make her a japanese style dress with the high collar. I have looked at all the pattern books and being not very adventurous don't know where else to look. Any ideas. I thought about taking a blouse pattern and trying to lengthen it but like I said not sure at all how to do something without a pattern and directions. Help! LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
|
From: debsews
Date: 09-17-2005, 11:15 AM (5 of 9)
| Thanks to all of you. I looked at #122 and that is exactly what she's looking for - my problem has been finding something that will fit my pencil thin granddaughter. She's 8 and 56 pounds. Tall and thin! But I will certainly email them and check out the size of the extra small. The hint about the blouse is something I haven't tried although I thought about it. Just didn't really know where to start making it a dress. I haven't been sewing all that long and really rely on patterns!! But what do I have to lose if it doesn't work. Just some scraps!! |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 09-17-2005, 08:14 PM (6 of 9)
|
I wonder if you can find out about a sewing guild you could visit and get some folks to help you lengthen the pattern or take it in a touch. It's easy to say "it's easy," but I just spent _hours_ altering a pattern without instructions and I was trying something I'd never done before-- It can take a lot of mental energy! But I'll give you some instructions to try. When I was little, my mom used to cut out all the pattern pieces and then pin them together to look like half of a garment, and then I'd step into the half garment carefully and stand there, nervously, while she moved the pins around to get things where she wanted them! "Pin fitting." It can help a lot with the process, and doesn't cost you anything extra. Also, most patterns will have a horizontal line across the bodice or skirt piece that says "lengthen or shorten here." If it's lengthening, then you can cut across that line, and add space between the two halves (maybe connect them with a spare piece of paper and tape), and it'll work every time. By lengthening (by cutting and separatiing) or shortening (by folding) at the lines provided, you can accommodate height without altering the overall fit of the waist or shoulders, etc, and then you can follow the pattern instructions as you would have prior to the changes, b/c the piecing procedure will be unchanged.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: LauraM62
Date: 09-18-2005, 10:07 AM (7 of 9)
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Since you are newer to sewing, like patterns, but might want to think and/or try outside the pattern base I would suggest picking up some Kwik Sew books. Here is the main site http://www.kwiksew.com/ from there go to the catalog then the books. Sewing for Children is pretty good, as is all the books. As a note, Kwik Sew always runs a little big, as in wide, so check measurements, you can usually go a size down, then lengthen. But allot of how to do these things are covered in the book. Thanks to all of you. I haven't been sewing all that long and really rely on patterns!! But what do I have to lose if it doesn't work. Just some scraps!! LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246
|
From: Sewspecial
Date: 09-18-2005, 02:47 PM (8 of 9)
| LauraM62 had a very good suggestion! As a general rule of thumb, you should always allow 2" in the Chest, 1" in the Waist and 3" at the hip. This is the minimum amount of ease you need in any garment, to sit, bend etc....otherwise you will stand there and look pretty all night. Good luck |
User: Sewspecial
Member since: 09-24-2004 Total posts: 30 |
From: debsews
Date: 09-18-2005, 03:32 PM (9 of 9)
|
I'm so happy I stumbled onto this site. I have a lot of good suggestions now for trying to fix this japanese dress problem. To compound the problem my granddaughter lives in Ohio and I'm in Florida. So fitting wouldn't be viable but it's a good idea for some other projects I'm contemplating. I should be able to find a solution now thanks to all of you! Deb |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
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