Todd Gibson

Hi @pegalot
The instructions for finishing the bell sleeve are on page 3. There are detailed steps there that show how the sleeve is finished using the sleeve facing.

That’s great! Would love to see a photo if you post it someplace. It sounds like a terrific project!

Hi there, I would be inclined to make the change at the underarm part just because it’s easy, but it might depend on what you need.

It should be fine at 1/2″, no worries!

I saw a faux suede trim at Mokuba in Paris a few weeks ago. I´m sure they have it in the New York store as well–you could call and ask them about it. It seemed perfect for this purpose, to me.

Interesting idea! I wonder if you could make it two layers with encased elastic between the two layers to finish the bottom edge? In my mind I can engineer it but… I think it would be quite easy to sew, actually!

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!

Edit: of course it does matter how you line the pattern grain line up with the fabric grain. I worded that badly.
What I mean is that you lengthen your pattern first, using a cut that’s perpendicular to the line on the pattern tissue. That part is the same whether you’re dealing with a pattern piece cut on the grain (the back bodice) or off-grain…[Read more]

Hi @caroljohnson , there’s a nice blog post about lengthening patterns here:

lengthening and shortening a pattern

Use the grain line as it’s marked on the pattern to ensure that you spread your pattern pieces evenly. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the cut on the grain or on the bias when you lay…[Read more]

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?

@whimsy hi Mary, depends on what you want to have “work”.
From the pattern pieces, and the way the underarm gusset becomes part of the sleeve, if you want to match the pattern of a plaid that sounds like a nightmare.
If you don’t care about pattern matching, or want to embrace the “lines” of the pattern by highlighting them with mismatched plaid…[Read more]

Hi @mollyshark
There are two versions of the pattern you can click on to purchase.
The first: ‘Fira Top + Dress Pattern” is a paper pattern that will be posted to you.
The second: “Digital Fira Top + Dress Pattern” is a digital pdf pattern that you download. You can print at home, or at a copy shop on A0 or 36″ plan printing. I don’t believe they…[Read more]

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]