As of June 16, 2004,
I've drafted out the neck darts and am in the process of getting a good
fit around the bust and arm - pictures forthcoming.
June 19: After working on the Hussar pages all week, I was seized with an inspiration: the Vogue pattern I was working with isn't behaving as predicted or wanted, and it's going to be an age before I can start work on the real garment.
And I have all this cheapie muslin lying around....
So I decided to draft the pattern myself. It's good practice at something I don't usually do (store bought patterns save time), and I'll get a (hopefully) immaculate fit besides. More details at the site in a few days; but I've got a basic sleeve done and hope to do a fitting tonight or this week.
June 20: Mission accomplished! I completed a draft sleeve using the instructions in Pattern Making for Fashion Design, and attached it to my already-existing "body block". I swear, I don't think I've worn this comfortable of a tailored sleeve in my life - the seam falls right at the shoulder and doesn't pull or gap the way almost every other pattern I've made does!
So, I'm on the right track. I think I'm liking a more "hourglass" type silhouette; the next step is using my body block to drape a princess-seamed block to build the jacket body from.
August 12: After taking a break to make a short, fun project, I went
back to the Vogue pattern muslin today with some trepidation (fitting
and drafting are the least fun parts of sewing, IMHO). Maybe I lost or
gained weight, but it seemed to fit and move correctly today. So I now
have a workable muslin!
However, I've been advised by a friend that a pattern company, Petty Chapman, has a proper 19th century dolman pattern. I'm looking at the finances to see if I can have him pick one up for me and send to, as I suspect I might get better results if I use a period pattern.
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 14 |
 Fitting the pattern.... |
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