Feeding advice for bantams (one broody, one moulting)

[Snowy]

I thought it would be useful for those of you just starting out making clothes to get some tips from those of us who have done it before!

Here is how I do it. If you have followed a pattern and have any other useful tips or wrinkles to add, feel free to add them here

 

1 Take measurements! Choose the pattern based on actual measurements rather than dress size or age of child.

 

2 Check the back of the pattern - it will tell you what you require to make the item. Fabric comes in 2 widths, 45" or 60" so there are different amounts depending on the width of your fabric.

 

3 Take out the pattern instructions and find the instructions for the item you want to make (some patterns contain patterns for several items). Find all the pieces you need.

 

4 Iron the pattern! Use a low heat and no steam

 

5 Using pattern tracing paper, or normal kitchen baking paper, trace the size that you need. Transfer ALL the information on the pattern including numbers, circles, squares and any writing.

 

6 Make any adjustments to pattern length or width as required at this point.

 

7 Cut out pattern pieces BUT NOT ALONG THE CUT LINE. Cut out roughly at least an inch away from the actual cut line.

 

8 Fold fabric selvedge to selvedge and right sides together. Iron.

 

9 Follow the pattern instructions regarding placing the pattern on the fabric. There is usually a long line down the middle of pattern pieces with an arrow on the end. This should be placed along the grainline of the fabric. Using a tape measure, position the paper pattern so the grainline is parallel to the selvedge. Pin on the grainline. Then pin around the pattern edges, inside the cut line. Cut out including around any notches (little triangles around the edge of the pattern.)

 

10 Before removing the paper pattern from the fabric, transfer any placement marks using either tailor's tacks or tailors chalk. I use tailors tacks - couple of loops of contrast thread sewn through all layers of cloth and paper, then snipped so when you gently pull the paper abd fabric apart, a few threads remain insitu to mark the fabric.

 

11 Using tailors chalk, whilst removing paper, mark on the wrong side of the fabric which piece it is, ie front,back etc.

 

12 Start stitching as per instructions!

 

That will do for now, feel free to add anything I might have missed - I'll incorporate it into this post so all the information is together.

 

Shout if you need any help on putting it together (putting it together is the easy bit! )

[Fizzle Knit]

Thanks Snowy

[ubereglu]

Thank you for this-I may now have a chance at making some dresses over the summer, along with my Mum helping me of course! (Together I'm sure we'll be ok, it's just I'm not one size in patterns and the three measurements you take all fit into different size so you then have to alter it...that's the hard bit!)

[Snowy]

Thank you for this-I may now have a chance at making some dresses over the summer, along with my Mum helping me of course! (Together I'm sure we'll be ok, it's just I'm not one size in patterns and the three measurements you take all fit into different size so you then have to alter it...that's the hard bit!)

 

I used to have the same problem - top half was one size, waist was smaller (those were the days ) I used the larger size and altered the patterns to suit my waist. If you have three sizes, use the middle one and enlarge and reduce the other two measurements to suit you.

[Aunty e]

I always cut out on the cut line - and generally find that modern patterns come up too big... If I'm using vintage, I give myself a lot of extra room, but simplicity in particular seems to be made for giants.

[theherd123]

Thanks Snowy, you are a star!