Burda Style For people who sew

Is there a difference? if not, which do you prefer to use?

Thanks guys! I’m new to pattern drafting and your opinion will be greatly appreciated

Jul 15, 2011, 08.03 PM by peachypanda

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4 Posts

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  Jul 26, 2011, 09.46 AMby sabrina

  A French Curve is a smallish ruler that looks rather like a number 6; it’s for drawing armscyes and neckholes. This is what is usually meant by French Curve, though there are many different ones:

  http://www.vaune.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=323&category_id=66

  You on this picture you can see a load more kinds of French Curves. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:L-Zeichnen2.png

  A Curved Stick is a lot longer and not as pronouncedly curved as a French Curve (it looks more like a really long cucumber with the ends cut off); I think it’s for doing side seams and things. This is what one looks like:

  http://sewtrue.com/Store/Curve-Stick-Hip-Curve-P248.html

  You may have seen some pattern making rulers that combine some traditional rulers. There are quite a few. I have the Shoben Fashion Curve, but I traced the French Curve part of it onto a piece of card to use for armholes etc. because having the full length of the ruler sticking over the edge of my table and colliding with my book case was annoying. : )
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  Jul 27, 2011, 12.05 AMby 20beverly08

  I use coffee cups and dinner plates for the curves. They work great and come in all different sizes. I just lay them out to match the curving I want, and then I trace it out on freezer paper or wax paper or newspaper for a specialized pattern piece.
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  Jul 27, 2011, 12.09 AMby 20beverly08

  I also use an old letter opener (I think it came from a ‘dollar store’) for the partially straightened part of those curve sticks mentioned above and I lay them out to match the slant that I need with the circular curving effect also, especially when I need to make an arm hole that is a lot bigger than the pattern piece that comes with the pattern that I just bought with an arm hole that is too small for a larger bust size. I like using the round edges of coffee cups, plates, and bowls for the size of curve that I need.
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  Jul 27, 2011, 12.13 AMby 20beverly08

  And, our cat wanted me to add this special tidbit: tuna cans make great curves, too, and are also great as pattern weights for cutting. She knows this because whenever I use them, she knows what’s on the dinner menu and meows loudly until I’m finished with my work, so she can get her special tuna treat.