Liesl Gibson

Hello, that photo was inspiration only, from a vintage Bonnie Cashin cape. You can take our pattern and modify it to be similar to that style, but I don’t have specific details on the vintage item to give you. Yes, she bound a lot of her clothing in leather strips. You could experiment with similar fabric or with real leather. I’ve also seen a…[Read more]

Sorry for the delay. yes, the second photo is exactly what you should do. And it won’t affect your grainline–just choose one of the lines (above or below the split) and extend that to be your grainline. No problem. Looking good!

Sounds like an issue for a repair person. I’m sure they can fix it easily.

I think you’d probably be ok choosing a size 10 and maybe reducing the width at the hips if you find that you need it. Its something you can do after you’ve sewn it if you want. Just turn the dress inside out, pin the hips to be as narrow as you want, and re-sew them. Regarding the height, it depends on where you are tall. I’m 5’8″ and long…[Read more]

If you raise the V-neck (which you can absolutely do, no problem) you’ll want to shorten the collar at the center back so it fits correctly. Again, easy to do–just measure at the seam line and shorten at the back seam by the same amount. I hope that helps!

Ok, it looks like maybe your shoulders are wider than the pattern? I think you could make an adjustment for this by drawing a wider shoulder on the front and back pattern pieces.

Hi Claudia, I’m not sure what you mean by drawings? Do you mean drag lines? Can you post a photo so we can see what’s happening?

Our patterns are designed for someone of average height–approximately 5’6″–but whether you want to lengthen or shorten, and the location of that lengthening or shortening, will depend on your particular body. I’m 5’8″ but I’m also very long through the torso so I usually need to lengthen the torso of our patterns to fit myself. But if you have…[Read more]

Eileen, I think you’re confusing the markings for the dots with the markings for the lines themselves. The lines are marked directly ON the line. The dots are marked next to the dots. I hope that helps.

Here is a blog post that I hope will help!

how to raise or lower a dart

Hi, yes the Classic Shirt is more boxy like the Camp Shirt. The Recital Shirt is more fitted because of the fish darts in the back, but you can eliminate them if you want that style to be more boxy also. I hope that helps!

Hi, yes, that’s intentional to give you a little more room through the bust. If you want, you can baste the side seam and try it on to see how it works. In our experience it’s helpful, but if you don’t like it you can always straighten it. Just make sure you have enough room before you remove it.

Apologies that I’m not exactly sure what you’re asking. The overlap is probably about 2″–you’re right. So as long as your buttons and buttonholes line up to leave that amount of overlap and they still fit I think it should be fine. Very cute, by the way!

Yes, quite a few of our customers have lengthened this style! If you check the hashtag on social media you might see it? Just continue the lines as they’re drawn and it gives a nice line. Can’t wait to see when you’re done!

I’m checking the pattern and it measures exactly the same as the skirt waist. Could it be that you cut the wrong size facing? Or maybe the fabric stretched? The facing measures exactly the same as the waist for all the sizes…

You can definitely raise the neckline if you want. In terms of other alterations, it all depends on how the blouse fits you from the start. Raising the neckline won’t affect the overall fit.

Hi Mimi,

The best way to check is to do a mock layout with your pattern pieces. Bias usually takes more fabric than straight grain, so it’s always best to check before you buy the fabric. I hope that helps!

Let us know how it goes!

It’s tricky to pick a size for a knit tee based on the fit of a woven jacket. I’d suggest that you might be happiest by comparing the measurements of a tee you already own and like–that way you’ll be more assured to get a fit that makes you happy.

The Terrace is a loose fitting dress, and in general I would say that drapey fabrics are most suitable for it. Linen and rayon are great options. Lawn would work although it’s not very drapey. It’s lightweight enough to be ok. Broadcloth would probably be a bit heavy, I think.