Making a Pattern from Existing Clothing

Posted by Grace Kirkwood on November 13, 2006, 12:09 pm

I have several worn out jackets hanging in my closet that I absolutely
love and want to recreate. I am an advanced sewer but am wondering how
difficult this would be to recreate a pattern from them without tearing
them apart. Does anyone have any suggestions about doing the sleeves
and collars? That is where I see I may have difficulty in getting them
to tailor smoothly. My thoughts were to piece butcher paper together
and sketch the sections, adding seam allowance. Any help and
suggestions would be appreciated.
Grace

Posted by on November 13, 2006, 2:58 pm

Dear Grace,

You can easily pin draft each piece separately. Make sure that you put
grainlines on each piece. (For example, undercollars are usually cut
in two piece, on the bias.) To pin draft, put the garment on a padded
surface, and stick a pin every 1/2 inch or so along the seamlines. Add
seam allowances when you're finished, and test in muslin before cutting
into your good fabric. There will be adjustments, as clothing that we
love tends to mold to certain parts of our bodies, and the form will
not be exactly as it was originally sewn. Good luck.

Teri

Posted by nobodyhome1 on November 13, 2006, 6:50 pm

Hi Grace. I just checked out a book I think will help you. It's called
"Patterns from Finished Clothes" by Tracy Doyle. It's full of pictures and
diagrams on how to make a pattern from ready wear. See if your library has
it.
Miriam
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Posted by IMS on November 13, 2006, 8:48 pm

wrote:

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It's actually quite easy to do....there's a great Singer book, called
"101 Sewing Secrets" that details a great way to do replicate a pattern
using a ready to wear garment, using a 'tracing method.' The book is out
of print but I got mine on eBay; I often see them there - infact,
there's 6 copies currently listed.

-Irene=20

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You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20
--Mae West=20
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