Trying to follow sowing instructions ... but I have no pattern.

[SophieGirl]

I made myself a bonnet no problem. I did a bit Internet research till I could (with relative confidence) take two measurements of my head. Based on that, I figured out the sizes of the pattern pieces I needed to cut out --- and I made the bonnet. Looks rather good.

Problem is ---- then I try to make a plain dress-apron. (That is --- the kind of apron that is not just for cooking or doing the dishes --- but for wearing in general.) Here I run into a problem ---- basically, that every single site of instructions on doing so that I can find just *assumes* that I have a pattern for making a plain dress that would fit me.

Problem with that? I've spent countless amounts of time and money *searching* for such a pattern in my size ---- to no avail. Nothing that the stores carry the pattern for in my size even structurally *resembles* anything that I'd wear in a quintazillion years!!!!

And as for instructions how to *make* such a pattern? Every site, and every book I can find in the bookstore, assumes I am able to get my hands on either (a) a pattern for a plain dress in my size or (b) a plain dress in my size. Needless to say ---- both assumptions are patently false in my case.

Any idea where I can find instructions that consider it a *possibility* that I am unable to find a plain dress, or a pattern for a plain dress ---- and will let me go with the made-from-scratch approach that I used to sew my bonnet? Not another site that will ignore the possibility, or which will give me reasons why they don't think I should go there, or reasons why they don't think I'm ready. I just want enough instructions that I can at least *attempt* to do this. If I fail, at least I will have been given a chance.

Thanks,
Sophia

[Miss Cellane]

Could you post a picture or two of what you are trying to sew? Someone might be able to give you instructions, or point you to a pattern that could work. But I'm afraid I have only a vague idea of the type of thing you are trying to make.

Off the top of my head, if you could find a suitable pattern in a different size, it is possible to scale the pattern up or down to fit you.

[SophieGirl]

This is the instructions I'm currently able to find on making a plain apron
http://shepherdshillhomestead.com/20...plain-apron-2/
also at
http://web.archive.org/web/200708170...iakay/id2.html
(actually I think it's the same instructions)

And as you see ---- their instructions for making a plain dress assume ability to find a pattern.
http://web.archive.org/web/200710110...iakay/id1.html

When you say "scale the pattern up or down to fit you" ----- does that mean just magnify and shrink everything proportionally? Just like scaling a picture? Or is there something more to it than that?

Thanks,
Sophia

[Mrs. Hermit]

There is a way around not having a dress pattern. You can try tracing a shell or other sleeveless blouse that you can slip over your head to make the top. Trace the neckline of the front, then the shoulder seams out to the sleeves. Draw a line straight down to waist level from the shoulder seam. Add 5/8 inch to the length for the seam at the waist. Repeat for the back. These patterns will replace the dress-bodice pattern pieces in the pattern and explanation you found on the net. Since you'll be making a full front and full back pattern, you won't need to sew the seams in the center front and back like the pattern suggests. You will need to hem the neck and sides like they say, then proceed with the rest of the pattern.

[Miss Cellane]

Making a pattern larger or smaller is not quite as simple as enlarging a photo. Different parts of the body get bigger/smaller as sizes change, but not in the same proportions. If you just enlarged a size 6 pattern to size 10 bust/hip measurements, the neckline and armholes would be way too big.

Here's one tutorial on resizing a pattern: http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques...ger-or-smaller. If you google, you'll find a lot more.

So I think you could find a basic pattern and size it up or down. Also, check out Folkwear Patterns. They might have either the basic dress you are looking for, or a pattern that could be easily altered to suit you. http://http://www.folkwear.com/

And check out the "costume" patterns. There might be an historical costume that could be altered to give you the look you want. I'm thinking of something like this: http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/wiesn-dirndl.

[SophieGirl]

To Miss Celane: Thanks for the links. :-) I'll go check them out. :-) (Thank God for this bulletin board --- the people here are so helpful!!!!)

One question Mrs. Hermit ---- does it matter if the shirt I have is out of a stretch fabric or not? And do I have to destroy the shirt to do what you describe to the individual pieces? If the answers to both questions are "no", then I should have something already to do that with. :-) If the answer to either question is "yes", though, then I suppose it just means I should go to Goodwill to find a shirt that I can use for this purpose.

Thanks,
Sophia

[Mrs. Hermit]

It is best to use non-stretch shirt. And no, you don't have to destroy it--just lay it on a piece of paper (or fabric) and trace around it. Tracing the front neckline can be a little tricky, as the front is usually a deeper curve than the back. But usually you can fiddle and fudge and make it work.

[SophieGirl]

Thanks. :-) Good thing, though, that the apron project doesn't require me to worry about the breast darts (unlike the dress project) or else that would be a whole other question to ask.