Crimping sleeve ease

Just checking, how have you been?

I don't have a blog post with me, but I can't wait to show you the sleeve I made.

I used the crimping the method. I have seen the crimping method in text books but haven't seen them in blogs or videos. It has taken me quite an effort to get it right. But once I did wow the whole sleeve easing was a breeze.

UPDATE - Blogged with video here - How to ease sleeves crimping way - Easy, simple, Quick - No more frustration

No more 2 rows of gathering - what rubbish!  hahha .. Sorry

Sorry about the photo. Just took it late night. I was so thrilled. And I have to show you what I'm making.

Do you use the crimping method?

Do you want a video of it? Pictures may not work here.

Have a good weekend!

Preethi.

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Half size pattern drafting experience- A skirt

At the pattern cutting course in London we got to work with half size patterns at home - scaled to half size.

Seriously it was such a saver and it allowed me to work when the kids are awake, not having to wait until they sleep to get the entire dining table to myself without being disturbed.

This is something I could do watching tele.

 So here it is, I made a pattern myself of this skirt and also tried stitching it. Well the kids were asleep and I couldn’t use the sewing machine but my fingers were ithching to complete so I hand stitched it.

I’m so proud of it, I did show off in the class.

 At first when I started I couldn't even make out which way was top and which bottom when I started to sew but eventually managed.

 Finished half skirt.. Well I didn't complete the waistband or the hem.. Just wanted to sew to see how it comes together.

 Enjoy your weekend.
Preethi.

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London Pattern Cutting Course

My husband's cousin came home on a Saturday and I just returned from my course. He asked what course is it. I said Pattern cutting. and he asked me to explain it.
And then he said Oh glorified tailoring :)

And yes it was,expect we did no tailoring.
Size 12 was our basic block from which we did our different variations.
- Dart manipulation of front basic block
- Dark manipulation of back basic block
- Dart manipulation of skirt block
- Collars etc...

We learnt 2 methods -
1. Cut and spread method which is the basic and tedious method
2. Pivot method - A very very good video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbeTqR5GIU0

Being from IT I'd rather prefer do all that on inkscape. Just an ever so slight pencil thickness or the angle of the pencil creates overall 1/2 cm difference. I'd prefer to do all that on my computer.
I'm familiar with inkscape now having drafted a nightie for 2T and a multisize 2T-8T sun dress.
But dart manipulation on the computer is something I need to get familiar with.

It was really a feeling of school - not like a traditional one or rather I can say more like a practical lab style.
Need real leg muscles to stand all day - yeah all day 10 to 5. Only time sat was on the first day where we had a little theory and during our breaks of course.

There was also a take your hands off your face moment in the class. All were stunned, really stunned and couldn't believe it.

Every time I came home and my husband asked what I did I was like - dart manipulation. But really that's what we learnt; I don't know if there is more to pattern cutting or it was just variations. Surely there are many more advanced courses but until I make my pattern for myself and move all those darts I'm not doing any more.

Have a fun filled weekend.
Preethi.

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Why are we different sizes in different shops?

Why are sizes different in different stores? Have you wondered? I’m sure you have?

 At London college of fashion where I’m doing this course we work on  a basic block size 12.

When I first heard we would work on size 12 I was super filled with joy. I’m a size 12 on most days and I  could use the same pattern to draft something for me. Well I thought and Oh boy! When I saw the block

it  looked like it might be a size 4 – that tiny or rather that huge was the size 12 from the shops I was buying from.

So I asked the tutor why this difference. She said there is no standard size 12.

And went on to say if I was going to have my own collection I’d need to study the market to know where I was competing against, study their sizes and position accordingly.

Strange right?

Also there was a buyer on our course and she said the lower end of market sizes are bigger for their size and higher ends are smaller.

What does that mean? Is it right? How crazy right?

Whatever, I bought a tunic from fatface last week and I fit comfortably in a size 10. Oh hoooo. Did that make me happy. Oh yes! I say.

Did anyone else see that size label – No. Does it make any better from outside – No

But you know what I’m talking about. The whole shopping experience gets so depressing when you don’t fit in your so called size in a shop right?

Size: 

Also, how does retail cater to bust cup size? A pear shaped size ? Why do I have to fit in a a size. The clothes need to fit me. :)

So I want to make my own.

Geography:

Also how do they cater to different geographies - Zara sells in India but do they have different measurements for Indian women?

Age :

We are different shaped when we get older. Is that even a consideration for ready to wear?

I tried to find a bit more and I came across - What size am I

Have a look. You can put in your size and it will show you what size for each shop you would need to buy. My sizes range from 12 – 14 - 16.

Next – Size 14

Gap – Size 16

Zara – Size 12

I think this is particularly useful considering the online shopping we do.

It’s a cool website I thought and you’d like too.

Have a good week ahead.

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