Burda Style For people who sew

Many of us are drawn to learn to sew because the clothes we find in stores just don't fit. It's therefore a rather cruel irony that most commercial patterns are produced in an even more limited range of sizes than store-bought clothing. Take heart, all you nymph-like and Boticelli-esque fashion lovers. If you've ever thought, "Wow, I'd love to make that. Too bad the pattern doesn't come in my size," there is a solution, and it's easier than you think! In fact, if you spread a multi-size pattern out in front of you and stare at it for a minute, it will probably become obvious how you alter the pattern size up or down. Just in case, here's an easy step-by-step tutorial on the process.

Technique Materials

Multi-size pattern, ruler or measuring tape, writing instrument

• Intro
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8

• Add to my toolkit
• Print Page

8 Comments

• 

  Aug 25, 2009, 04.37 PMby auschick

  so helpful – thanks!!
• 

  Jul 9, 2009, 09.55 AMby all_about_art

  Thank you so much! I have fallen in love with some patterns which will need to be sized up for me, as they only come in smallll sizes. Thanks! I can’t wait to try this!
• 

  Nov 29, 2008, 10.17 AMby mistry_machine

  Hi Elainemay,
  Add me to the fans of this particular how to. Thanks so much for taking the time out to do this. It’s helped me out a great deal.
  Cheers,
  San
• 

  Jan 8, 2008, 01.34 AMby tania10

  The link to view the pattern is :http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns
  I tried to attach it as a link but couldn’t as it’s my first time posting a comment ever.
• 

  Jan 8, 2008, 01.00 AMby tania10

  Thank you. This is really helpful. I am a size 36 on top and a 44 on the hip section. Could you or anyone tell me how to merge the two sizes together? I am currently trying to alter a Burdastyle Janina pants pattern 8087. I am using the size 44 and want to taper the waist to a size 36. Help!! From Tania
• 

  Sep 4, 2007, 06.49 AMby Lilo

  Nice and clear explanation! (surely better than mine ;) )
• 

  Sep 4, 2007, 04.14 AMby MarmotaB

  Thank you so much for this! I’m fortunatelly size 38, so I usually don’t need this, but it’s always good to know!
• 

  Sep 2, 2007, 07.09 AMby Wyn

  Thank you for taking the time to create this How to. I am a size 36 but oftentimes the waist is too large. I can modify your techique by going in at the waistline only.