USE OF DRESS PATTERNS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18043, 31 December 1926, Page 18

USE OF DRESS PATTERNS.

Almost every home dressmaker has found that some commercial dress patterns fit better than others. It is true that different companies have different ideas as to what is the standard figure. As a result, patterns vary in slant of seams, length of sleeve, width across chest and back, etc. The best plan is to study different makes until the one which requires the least fitting is found. On buying a new pattern it is always advisable to test it. If one has a dress form, this may be done by pinning the pattern pieces together and trying it on the form. Necessary 'alterations can then be made. Another method requires careful checking with the individual’s measurements. The measurements, exclusive of seam allowance, should be taken on the pattern in exactly the same position as on the figure. It is usually necessary to allow for several inches of fullness in the bust-width, hips, sleeves, etc., so that the garment will not be form-fitting. The most important measurements to be taken are the bust, the width across the chest from the armhole curve, the width of the back between the armhole curves, the upper arm circumference, and the shoulder length. If the pattern is found to be too large it may be altered by folding a tuck in the front and back patterns from the centre of the shoulder to the bottom of the waist, on a line parallel to the centre front and to the centre back. To enlarge the pattern, cut both the front and the back sections from the centre shoulder to the bottom of the waist on lines parallel to the centre front and to the centre back. The pieces should then be spread apart to give the amount of increase needed. The same rules may be applied to altering a sleeve .pattern.