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From: toadusew
Date: 10-23-2006, 12:55 PM (1 of 21)
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I am planning on making my hubby's grandmother some muumuu's. She lives in a nursing home and stays in the bed most of the time, even though it isn't really necessary. At any rate, her clothes have been looking a little worn and I think it would help her to have something new to wear. My MIL says that the facility is "losing" a lot of the grandmother's clothing in the laundry as well. Anyway, my MIL says that the grandmother wears a size 22 or 24 in RTW, and I recently bought a McCall's pattern that is sized 18W, 20W, 22W....This is supposed to be a surprise (the grandmother lives in another state and I'm not sure my MIL could or would take her measurements, which would be oh so helpful  ) so .....based on her RTW size, which of those pattern sizes might fit her? As I said, this is a loose fitting muumuu type "dress" pattern. It's McCall's 2250. (Someone posted this pattern on here recently and that's how I found it. Thanks! )Thanks! |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: toadusew
Date: 10-23-2006, 12:59 PM (2 of 21)
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I guess what I should have asked is this--will the pattern size(s) that I bought work, or do I need to go get a larger size? I kind of have an idea in my head, but I wanted to know what you ladies think.
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-23-2006, 01:16 PM (3 of 21)
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I think I'd go larger to be safe -- probably a couple sizes even with a loose garment. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 10-23-2006, 01:56 PM (4 of 21)
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Know what, Toad? I'd pop over to the mall and measure a mumu of her ReadyToWear size. Bring your tape measure and see how much fabric they're going through, and then compare to your pattern--The pattern pieces are printed with info about how much wearing ease is intended, so you should be able to come up with a comparable size garment. I think that would help you get a better sense. Sometimes I think it would be great if the pattern companies would make a chart that says "If you're a size __, then buy a pattern size ___" ....but then I'm sure that they'd get some kind of flack from the folks who still don't achieve a magically well-fitting garment. You could also err on the large side, and then customize it by adding in a feature to make the fit more personalized-- snap tabs at the sides to bring in the excess, for example. And with your embroidery machine, you could make up some over-sized satin labels with her full name on them to help minimize wardrobe attrition. I think a friend in a nursing facility would be tickled pink to have some real individual, personal, unique possessions such as these. It makes a big difference.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: paroper
Date: 10-23-2006, 03:52 PM (5 of 21)
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I'd almost bet that one size would do it if it is a true mumu. I think the sizing gets a little closer to RTW as it gets into the ladies' sizes and mumu patterns are usually generous.
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: paroper
Date: 10-23-2006, 03:55 PM (6 of 21)
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Just to be on the safe side though, check this chart against the envelope. http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/womensizes.aspx?org=customers#womens 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: AndreaSews
Date: 10-23-2006, 07:53 PM (7 of 21)
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Love the chart! It could certainly save someone a trip!
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: toadusew
Date: 10-24-2006, 08:40 AM (8 of 21)
Thanks for the replies, ladies! I always know I can count on you! And thanks for the chart! That is great! I did get my pattern out and check it against the chart. Sigh...of course, nothing matched, according to the pattern envelope, but I have found that sometimes the measurements on the back of the package aren't always accurate, so I may just take it out and measure the pattern myself. My MIL said hubby's grandmother wears a size 22 of 24, so I'm hoping that since this is a loose fitting pattern, the size 22 will work. If not, I'll get another pattern, or see if the store will let me exchange this one for the next size up (if I haven't already cut into that is). One of the reasons I'm a little nervous about this is that years ago, I had to sew a dress for someone and I kept trying to fit with a muslin and nothing really worked--too small--so when I made the larger size, it wound up being too large!  Thanks again for your help, ladies! |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-24-2006, 08:24 PM (9 of 21)
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Remember that the sizes of the chart and the sizes of the envelope are BODY sizes. What you see on the pattern and sometimes printed in the little box at the bottom are finished measurments including ease.
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: toadusew
Date: 10-25-2006, 09:23 AM (10 of 21)
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Thanks, Pam! I needed that sanity check.
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 10-25-2006, 10:33 AM (11 of 21)
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As a person who wears a size 22 RTW I can absolutely without a doubt tell you that you will probably need a 26 or larger in pattern size. Don't you love that "absolutely without a doubt....probably". But what I am saying is that I have to buy the next size up on multi size patterns. If you want I could take my measurements and send them to you in a PM. Don't want to tell the whole world how big I really am. Funny thing about RTW sizing is that although I have put on about 70 lbs in the last 15 yrs. I have only gone up two sizes. So if Grandma's size 22 clothes are 15 yrs. old I can almost guarantee that they aren't the same size as the 22s I buy on the rack today. You could always make just one and send it then see how it fits and then surprise her once a month or so with another "care package". Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: Sancin
Date: 10-25-2006, 08:59 PM (12 of 21)
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An observation: I always check the pattern company's ease definition. In Vogue (the pattern company I usually use) it is at the back of pattern books. I have noticed this year that for the past several years more fitted clothes are in - and sometimes that is even in those clothes which have great ease.
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 10-25-2006, 09:39 PM (13 of 21)
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If you open the pattern and look at the front piece, the finished sizes are usually printed on the piece of the pattern that is the for the front of the garment. Those sizes usually give me a pretty good idea of how close I am to my measurements and how much I need to adjust up or down. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: toadusew
Date: 10-26-2006, 08:52 AM (14 of 21)
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Wow! You ladies are so great! And this is just the best board! Thanks for all the help, tips, and suggestions. Pudge if you're willing to PM me with your info, that is fine.(thanks!)..it might give me sort of a general idea of which way to go with this project. I think the size 22 or 24 RTW is today's sizing since my MIL buys Grandma's clothes. Pam, thanks for that suggestion. I may just open up this pattern and look at the information as you suggested and since this only cost 99 cents, I may take it out and measure the actual pattern....if this one won't work, I see where Hancock's is also selling patterns for 99 cents next week so it won't be a problem to get another one. Thanks again for all your help, ladies!
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 10-27-2006, 08:09 PM (15 of 21)
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It will be at least Monday before I get those measurements to you, but never fear I will get them.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: toadusew
Date: 10-28-2006, 09:13 AM (16 of 21)
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Thanks!
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: Sewitseems
Date: 10-31-2006, 02:50 PM (17 of 21)
| I've just started sewing again and I'm finding pattern sizes don't match "off the rack" sizes at all. I bought a 4/6/8 pattern for a Halloween costume and found that I needed a size 14 or so instead. I must be lopsided though, as none of the waist/hips/bust categories seemed to match me. This was a Simplicity pattern. I'm hoping that it was just a fluke because it was a Halloween pattern. |
User: Sewitseems
Member since: 10-30-2006 Total posts: 6 |
From: toadusew
Date: 11-01-2006, 07:54 AM (18 of 21)
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Sewitseems, sewing patterns and RTW (off the rack) sizes do not match! Even RTW sizes aren't the same--for example, a size 8 in one brand may be a size 10 or larger in another brand--there is no universal sizing in RTW. One of the reasons I have the question (original post) about my hubby's grandmother's size is because I don't have her measurements. It's best to buy sewing patterns based on body measurements...and even then some altering of the pattern might be necessary. I'm not sure I explained that very well--maybe Pam or somebody will be along and can articulate this better than I can--the bottom line here is that sewing patterns sizes and RTW sizes don't correspond.)
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: paroper
Date: 11-01-2006, 08:20 AM (19 of 21)
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Back about the mid-late 60's the pattern companies and the RTW companies "got together" to make standard sizing. It was called "New Sizing". There was a lot of hype. Prior to that time, patterns (and garments), although proportioned much different, were also sized considerably smaller. For some reason, women had alot more curves all the sudden (probably because we didn't wear corsets anymore). Anyway, the two clothing sources came together to make sure that the patterns matched. (By the way, in many patterns after this, size 14 was a common top size and size 16 was a huge size). For a few years, the RTW companies pretty well held the line with one exception...finer clothing, designer lablels were larger. Well, so, then the "mid" line of clothing got their own designer labels...and everyone knows that designer labels are larger...and the high end designer lines had to get bigger to maintain their reputation. Well, we rocked along a bit and then the lower end and finally even the big box strores got their designer lines...each time, the sizing adjusting all the way down the list...as you know, a name brand label at a high price store must always be larger than a name brand/designer label at a big box store...so the war continues. The only place that maintained the sizing rules was the pattern companies who haven't resized since the 60's. So in a patter today a size 14 might have been as large as a size 18 before resizing...that is how far the patterns have drifted. The thing that is really throwing off things in the patterns right now is that they are starting to "mess" with the sizing through ease because people are compaining. The problem with that is that it is very confusing when purchasing patterns. We are not used to having EASE in our garments. Almost everyone tries on a garment and it if fastens they think it is their size, people don't use ease in purchasing garments so most buy garments that are too tight for them, at least in comparison to the designers' vision. That is one reason you're a size 10 in one garment and a size 12 or 14 in another. The patterns have a written description on the back that explains how much ease may be in the garment. Here is a link to an ease chart to explain what that pattern description on the back of the envelope means. It is from the VOGUE pattern catalog... http://www.voguepatterns.com/tech/ease/ease.html Most people who you see on the street wear their clothing in the close fitting catagory..or even a little tighter. How many people do you see in garments that are "rump spring"? 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: Sewitseems
Date: 11-02-2006, 04:46 PM (20 of 21)
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Pam, thanks for all the info. I think maybe clothing manufacturers have also started making sizes larger as the population started "supersizing" and gained more weight as well. We're probably more likely to buy jeans in a small size than admit how much weight we've put on. The problem is that I now take a size 4 in pants and jeans and that's the smallest size in most ladies ready to wear, so I have to go into the junior's dept at stores where many of the styles are too extreme, too short, etc. I'm looking to sewing a few of my own clothes to solve this. I guess I'll go by measurements for the part of the body the pattern is to fit and then just adjust if I need to until I find a size that works. (Small bust big hips) I'll start off with "looser" styles until I get it figured out. |
User: Sewitseems
Member since: 10-30-2006 Total posts: 6 |
From: paroper
Date: 11-03-2006, 12:06 PM (21 of 21)
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Start by buying by your measurments. Use the ease charts in the back of the envelope to understand how much ease is in the pattern. Remember, most of us are not use to their version of "loose fitting" garments. Many patterns have the finished hip, bust, sometimes waist measurments of the PATTERN printed in a little chart at the bottom along with lengths and widths. Most all patterns have the sizes on the front pattern pieces in the envelope. Butterick and Vogue sizes tend to run toward the smaller size in bust and flatter tummy, etc (more like before kids). McCalls is generous and more for the more mature and rounded figure. Simplicity patterns seem to be overall even a little more generous. The biggest problem I see is that as women gain weight, they gain curves in all kinds of different places, top, bottom, round hips, flat hips, wide and narrow hips, round waists, etc...it is just amazing how many body shapes there are when you add a few pounds. The pattern companies tend to stay proportional in their figures and we have to had for the extra "curves", or subtract for the non-curves. 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 |
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