Has anyone made this dress, or tried their printed patterns?

[Beachtastic]

I've been binge watching old episodes of Sewing Bee and it's triggered nostalgia for the tactile process of choosing fabrics etc and the satisfaction of seeing something wearable emerge from the chaos.

Dress patterns aren't as easy to come by as they were back in 1873 when I last made a garment.

I found this, which looks fun to make with potentially pleasing results! Has anyone else tried it, or tried one of their "Printed A0 copy shop" patterns? The idea of piecing together A4 PDFs does my head in 😬🤯

thefoldline.com/products/fibre-mood-khloe-dress

I've got a couple of patterns on Ebay at the moment, but they're not selling. I think proper vintage ones are more in demand rather ones that are 5 years old!

I've rediscovered dressmaking, and have made this https://theassemblylineshop.com/products/apron-dress-sewing-pattern

I made a toile first out of cheap polycotton, as I knew I wanted to alter the pattern and have a centre back zip and small pleats along the waist line, rather than the huge single pleat with poppers/buttons that the pattern has. I think a toile is definitely the way to go, to make things fit you, before you start cutting your expensive fabric!

That's lovely, and rather similar to the one I have bought (see upthread)!

Like you, I'm hedging my bets with cheap fabric for this first-in-a-while effort...

Happy sewing!

Let us know how you get on with the sudoku!

I made my pinafore out of a gorgeous navy courduroy, with a thinner cotton facing. Made the mistake of forgetting that courduroy has a nap when I was cutting out, thankfully had just enough fabric to recut one of the skirt panels again as I had cut it upside down.

I also discovered that I cannot sew a really straight topstitch to save my life!

I also bought a bright red (pillarbox red) needlecord with the intention of making the pinafore again, although have realised that that much bright red, and me being a bit on the round side, will just end up with Mrs Santa!

Aagggghhhh I feel your pain, about the nap!

I feel as though I have recently binge-watched enough Sewing Bee to learn from the various mistakes... but I'm sure I will mess it up in my own sweet way 🤡

I'm almost not too worried about the end result. If it's wearable, that's a bonus. I just realised how much I miss that crisp feel of the scissors cutting through cotton, and the puzzling over pieces and instructions, and the soft tissue paper and pins! I don't know what is so appealing about it, I suppose we lay down some kind of neural pathway early in life!

Oh, I thought that SewDirect were back online? Although I have a pact with myself - no more pattern buying - I have a bookcase full. However ... one of the local charity shops often has amazing finds in "vintage" Vogue patterns. I've found some gorgeous French designer ones from the early 70s. As I started buying paper patterns in the late 1970s I'm joining up "vintage" and "ones I bought when I was a teenager." !! Vintage sewist that I am ...

They are but pdf only and they're mostly not very well done letter format ones that you have to stick together yourself. They're not getting any more paper patterns.

Thanks for that info @PickAChew - but how sad, really. End of an era. Although, it removes temptation for me. Fabric and pattern shopping for me are like taking an alcoholic to a gin bar. I could set up a shop with my fabric stash ...

For those looking for interesting patterns, there seem to be a LOT on Etsy. Prices are quite high - some of the same patterns that I own & use are for sale on Etsy for relatively high prices (eg between £15 and £20) I don't know if the sellers actually get those asking prices, but there seems to be a market!

I used glue stick instead of tape. But now I print off the AO files at local print shop.

I’ve been looking for a Vogue Calvin Klein shirt pattern I loved in the 80’s. They’re £££££!

I mostly make up indie patterns but agree that the big 4 are a sad loss.

Where do you get your indie patterns from?

I have a lot of Closet Core/Crew and Cashmerette patterns as I've subscribed to both at some point so those have been downloaded directly. Also a mix of pdf and paper patterns from Grainline Studio, Helen's Closet, Merchant and Mills, Sew House Seven and others that I've picked up from their own websites or in various fabric stores. I recently made a Pattern Emporium t-shirt that I was very pleased with. It's an aussie company, all online and very reasonably priced and well drafted with lots of options - they often have a half price pattern on a Friday if you sign up for their emails.

I recently bought a pattern off etsy. Just about managed to put something together (I'm a very novice sewer). 17 pages of A4 and lots of sellotape, for a kids top to make a costume. Called the local printing shop first, but they'd quoted £30 to print 1x A0. So sellotape it was.

Online is best for printing unless you're very lucky. I use CLC prints. Others that get good reviews include Flamingo prints and Plan printing.

Thanks @PickAChew , that has sent me down another rabbithole! 😁

@TimeToStopLurking aaaaagggghhhhh such a faff for such a small item. Well done for persisting!

Prima magazine still do free sewing patterns with their magazine, fully printed, if you subscribe. You can usually pick up their patterns from Ebay going back through the years too. I've found the patterns are usually a good fit, and quite simple to use.

I have lots (probably between 120-150) of commercial paper patterns, but I don't cut into them. I trace all the pieces onto Burda tracing paper first and cut those out. It means if adjustments need to be made, the original pattern isn't ruined. Also a lot of my patterns are vintage out of print, or expensive so aren't easily replaced.

Sometimes for example you'd want to grade between sizes - I've been known to grade between 2 sizes for the perfect fit, ie size 10 on top grading to 14 for hips on a dress. Also the pattern could be sold/passed on in future if it's still intact. It's definitely time consuming to trace all the pattern elements first and cut out the tracings, but it has saved a good pattern for me many a time as I realise I'm not a standard size 12 as the packet suggests!

Just use parchment/baking paper

much cheaper 😊

I've made it, so easy as it isn't a 'fit'
I would either get a company to print or it looks like they will print.
Sellotape a4 together is rubbish, buy a decent print and it can be safely folded away.

@PickAChew I use Flamingo print, they deliver really fast and if something isn't right they always contact you before printing.

I've tried them, @Rubyupbeat but they weren't folded very evenly and some didn't fit in the extra capacity wallets I store them in.

If the printers aren’t used to sewists, you need to ask for b&w “plan printing” I think it’s called.

I get charged £3 per sheet.