Burda Style For people who sew

Plus size girls like to sew too!!! I love all these patterns but how is a plus size girl supposed to able to make any of it, I get to sew these patterns for others but never myself!!! Any advice on making them my size(24-26)???

Thanks, Looking for my style in AR

Aug 18, 2010, 05.51 AM by Kelly Byrne

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9 Posts

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  Aug 18, 2010, 06.45 AMby katexxxxxx

  There are some plus size patterns ad plus size versions of some of the patterns. Not enough, I grant you, but there are some.

  One thing you might like to look into is learning to draft your own patterns from a block. You could then have whateveer style took your fancy. :)

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    Aug 19, 2010, 05.07 AMby Kelly Byrne

    how would i learn to do that (drafting) without them looking um……stupid?

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  Aug 19, 2010, 11.01 AMby katexxxxxx

  Start with the standard text on drafting: Winifred Aldrich’s Metric Pattern Cutting. That will steer you through drafting the block. It will also help you with basic flat pattern manipulation. Once you have that under your belt, the only thing stopping you is your imagination!
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  Aug 23, 2010, 09.32 PMby mcscovern

  my local craft store had 5/$5 simplicity’s this weekend-i presume to clean house for fall patterns. I purchased nearly $100 worth of patterns from their plus size ranges for $10.

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    May 31, 2011, 10.17 PMby flowergirl22

    OHH I AM SO JEALOUS
    i have been lucky sometimes but thats great

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  Aug 24, 2010, 04.22 AMby catojm

  @mcscovern Whoa. Well played!
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  May 26, 2011, 01.40 PMby Nicole Nolan

  The Burda magazine has some really great plus sized patterns too! I’ve been making a lot of them for friends to help me understand the different fit of curvier clothes. There are a few I adore enough to size them down, even with all of the other designs in the magazine!

  Once you understand the pattern fits etc, its pretty straightforward to take a pattern and alter it to your size on paper, before you cut the pieces. Main thing to remember is that standard patterns are made to a B cup, plus patterns are usually made to a D, so this part will require more in depth alteration.

  Another option is to make a muslin in the largest of the misses sizes (maybe add an inch or two on the seams as well, to make it a little closer), then slash it open until it fits. Fill in the slashes with stapled or pinned fabric before you take it off though! Then, just lay it out and there is your new pattern!

  Its also very worthwhile to make yourself a dress form in your size to help with pinning etc.

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    May 31, 2011, 10.17 PMby flowergirl22

    there is a burda plus you can purchase,. great magaziene,,,

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  May 29, 2011, 04.21 AMby mskelly

  Kelly… Honestly hun if you don’t know how to already then learn to grade patterns to your size. I too am a proud plus size or at least that what they like to call anything about a size 10 these days and it kinda saved my life learning how to alter things to suit a more curved figure.

  Have a look at this http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/4424/quick-reference-for-cut-and-spread-pattern-grading

  Good look K x
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  May 31, 2011, 02.19 PMby 20beverly08

  try ‘fitting finess’ book and DVD by Nancie Zieman available at nancysnotions.com or amazon.com. It gives instructions on how to alter existing sewing patterns. Like you, I am a plus size, too. Even when I was young, I had to alter every pattern I made by making the bust bigger and the shoulders width smaller, so the straps would not fall off, just because I bought the pattern to fit my bust size and not my actual frame size. Nancie Zieman teaches a techique in her book, ‘fitting finesse’ called ‘matching a pattern size to your frame and not your bust.’ I buy a size 16 to match my frame width, and then make the bust bigger to match bust size of 48, based on Nancie Zieman’s suggestions in her book. I then alter the pattern, based on the book instructions to fit. I also have to alter the waist and hips, too. Newspaper, wax paper, paper grocery sacks, tissue paper, and even leftover Christmas wrap, are great for adding ‘extra’ to the pattern pieces. It takes me a long time to alter a pattern, but each one I do, becomes a ‘template.’ I then use this as my template guide for future patterns alterations.

  Also, another book that is great for plus sizes is by Sheila Zent called ‘Sew Teen’, also available on amazon.com. It also gives instructions on taking your own measurements and making your own patterns from scratch, and does not use existing sewing patterns. It does not give instructions on how to alter an existing sewing pattern, though.

  Simplicity, McCalls and Butterick are making patterns bigger now for plus sizes. I watch for sales and then stock up on patterns. I add a lot of empire waist line ties/tie backs to my dresses and tops for a better fit.

  And yes, I would complete a lot more garments, too, if I could be assured that I could make them fit perfectly for ‘my plus size figure’—without that ‘tent look’.

  Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any more questions.

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    May 31, 2011, 07.39 PMby mskelly

    This Nancie women sounds good thanks for the info I’m ganna check her out myself!

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  May 31, 2011, 10.19 PMby flowergirl22

  there is a burda plus you can purchase,, only comes out 4 times a year I think,, but really nice patterns

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    Jun 1, 2011, 01.55 AMby mskelly

    Thanks!

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  Jun 11, 2011, 08.54 PMby kat7

  Three books I turn to again and again: Fit for Real People by Pati Palmer & Marta Alto (A Palmer/Pletsch Publication), The Perfect Fit: The Classic Guide to Altering Patterns published by Creative Publishing International (no author), and Sewing for Plus Sizes: Design, Fit and Construction for Ample Apparel by Barbara Deckert (who you can also friend on facebook). My ability to sew for my almost super-plus figure became a reality with these books. (I’m a size 28W in RTW). They are loaded with photographs and illustrations, and detailed instructions. I bought all three online. I also rely heavily on Coni Crawford patterns that Butterick produces. I swear the pattern designer is using my twin for her model. I hardly have to alter anything.