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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
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From: Corinna29
Date: 06-19-2007, 08:32 AM (1 of 8)
| With all the vast knowledge on this board, I know that someone can help me. I am preparing to cut out a pattern for a skirt that has a flounce/ruffle at the bottom. The pattern does not allow for any shortening, lengthening or hemming. It also it not marked "petitable" giving me the shortening lines that I need. Marking it for the hip area was no problem - their hip is 9" below the natural waist, mine is only 7. Easy problem to solve. However that did not take up enough length. I can't find a finish length for the skirt on the pattern, so I checked another pattern that I shortened & it looks like I need to take up another 1 1/2". Question is, where? The hip line was easy, but at what point do I draw another line to take up the rest of the length. This may not matter, but this is for a costume & I'll be barefoot, so I can't adjust for the length with heels. TIA |
User: Corinna29
Member since: 07-30-2006 Total posts: 44 
|
From: MaryW
Date: 06-19-2007, 09:28 AM (2 of 8)
|
Take it up in an area that is straight and on grain. Probably a few inches up from the bottom.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: Corinna29
Date: 06-19-2007, 02:17 PM (3 of 8)
| Mary, thank you for your help. Here's a little more info that better describes my problem. It helps I'm more awake now. The pattern is Simplicity 4990. I don't know how to link, but if you go to the website & type in this pattern #, the view we are making is the one that comes up. The skirt front has a curve on both the right & left fronts & then left & right overlap at the waist. Shortening is really messing with this curve. Maybe I need to shorten lesser amounts multiple times? And then since I've messed with the curve I probably have to take some fullness out of the flounce/ruffle, right? I'm probably overthinking a costume, but I do like the pattern so I may use it for street clothes. |
User: Corinna29
Member since: 07-30-2006 Total posts: 44
|
From: paroper
Date: 06-19-2007, 02:55 PM (4 of 8)
|
Shorten directly below the hips or above the "tulip". You'll need to straighten your lines which will make the bottom of the skirt slightly narrower and it will lower where the skirts join just a bit. Your flounce will be need to made a little "less" by the amount that you do not use (just measure the amount and make the adjustment). It is pretty easy to straighten that line with a yardstitck. I don't think I would go below the juncture though because I think it would get a little "messy" and perhaps ruin the line of the skirt.
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: Corinna29
Date: 06-19-2007, 06:33 PM (5 of 8)
| Thank you for all your help. I have the feeling that I may not be able to shorten as much as I would like before the "tulip" area, but at least it will be better than if I did nothing. Thanks again |
User: Corinna29
Member since: 07-30-2006 Total posts: 44
|
From: EmaCon
Date: 06-20-2007, 04:11 AM (6 of 8)
|
The pattern does not allow for any shortening, lengthening or hemming. It also it not marked "petitable" giving me the shortening lines that I need. In my experience, I've found that if a pattern is not marked "for petites", it's unfortunately not intended for petites. Your difficulty in shortening it is exactly why. I do hope it turns out alright though because it is a lovely pattern. |
User: EmaCon
Member since: 07-28-2006 Total posts: 67 |
From: Corinna29
Date: 06-20-2007, 07:37 AM (7 of 8)
| Ah, that's one of the problems with making the same pattern for a group of people. I'm 5'1'' on a good day if I stand very straight. The strange/odd thing is that the back of the pattern envelope says miss/miss petite before giving the description. But, you are right, the front of the envelope should say petitable in larger letters. I did shorten another inch above the curve & it seems to be ok. If it is a little long in the back it will look like a short train, hopefully. And that would be ok too. We are dancing at a backyard wedding reception & this is for the wedding song. I guess worse case scenerio, it's a costume & I don't use the pattern for anything else. |
User: Corinna29
Member since: 07-30-2006 Total posts: 44
|
From: paroper
Date: 06-20-2007, 08:48 AM (8 of 8)
|
Although it doesn't wear the label it is often because it will not be easy to shorten without distortion. Hopefully this will work out well and it will be the favorite dress in your closet! Have a wonderful time at the wedding!
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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