Help needed with sizing for Vogue pattern

[EugenesAxe]

I am pretty new to making clothes from patterns, although I can work a sewing machine and have done a few simple projects.

Recently I bought a Vogue pattern for an evening skirt I want to make. I have been getting back into my size 14 clothes since losing weight, so thought I'd be OK with the 12-16 pattern (I couldn't see the sizing information from the pictures shown online), but when it arrived size 16 equated to a 30" waist. I am more like 34" (size 20 on the pattern).

I have ordered the 18-22 pattern and think I will probably return the 12-16 (it wasn't that cheap to buy), but before I did I wanted to ask if anyone has experience of Vogue sizing. I don't want the skirt to be too big but neither do I not want to get in it! I don't want to open the pattern particularly as it might get all messed up; although I might just have to and be really careful. Should I go by the letter and make the size 20, or should I scale down to 18 and hope for a bit of give? There didn't seem to be much guidance on 'ease' as it sometimes says is on patterns.

This is the pattern.

I haven't made any thing from Vogue patterns for a long time, but I would recommend copying the pattern onto tracing paper (I've found Burda's is the best) and making a toile first, or even making up the lining so that you can adjust as you need to.

Someone else might be along shortly who has used Vogue patterns recently (mine are all ancient!)

I suspect though that the pattern sizing hasn't changed, but that the high street has.

Ready to wear have grown over the years whereas patterns have not, not old school patterns anyway.

I always follow the tape measure and would get a bigger pattern if it were me.

There is something called sewing pattern review.com - you have to register to see views older than six months, it was free when I joined, probably still is. I would have a look on there if I were you.

It looks lovely by the way.

Thank you both - I did do a few more Googles and found some info on Vogue; it seems they are pretty true to size. I will go with 18-22!

It's good to know about tracing paper... I was trying to navigate the choices recently.