Question regarding printed patterns

I have spent some time looking over patterns (diagrams) from the 19th century.
Looking at how they were made and the fact that ladies HAD to convert (draft)
the given pieces based on their own measurments ensured a proper fit. (How the
heck do you do that anyways?? For the life of me I cant figure out how to take
a piece and not only size it correctly but still have it look like it should
shapewise! Cliff notes source anywhere. I have seen so many dresses I would
love to recreate for costumes and such, heck even everyday wear too.)

Then I got to thinking of the patterns that are available today. Yeah they are
convient to use but we have to end up altering them anyways right ? There is
usually something about the pattern and fit that has to be adjusted. And some
companies are becoming natorious for being awful fits (simplicity from what i
have read from most ladies) Then I got to thinking about the cost of patterns
today. Most have price tags of $15 and up. However how many of us actually
pay that price ?? Most of us dont even consider buying patterns until they are
..99 (I think I have only 4 patterns out of approximatly 200 that I paid more
than .99 and those were less then 7.00 at that)

Do you see patterns as we know them pretty much becoming a thing of the past
and people going back to making garments the way they used to (after all we
pretty much do that now to an extent in some cases).

Just something that got me thinking and wondering lol
Tammy

"Frosty772" wrote in message
...

I have spent some time looking over patterns (diagrams) from the 19th
century.
Looking at how they were made and the fact that ladies HAD to convert
(draft)
the given pieces based on their own measurments ensured a proper fit. (How
the
heck do you do that anyways?? For the life of me I cant figure out how to
take
a piece and not only size it correctly but still have it look like it
should
shapewise! Cliff notes source anywhere. I have seen so many dresses I
would
love to recreate for costumes and such, heck even everyday wear too.)

Then I got to thinking of the patterns that are available today. Yeah
they are
convient to use but we have to end up altering them anyways right ? There
is
usually


Interesting wondering, Tammy. I know a lot of people have gone to pattern
drafting software. That's something you might want to look at.

www.wildginger.com has free demos of their products. NAYY. But I have used
a couple of their programs and I like them.

Another is http://www.livingsoft.com/ They also have free demos. Don't know
a thing about these. I've not tried them at all. I've heard other folks
say they are wonderful though.

The initial outlay for something like that (Patternmaster or Dress Shop) is
steep. But, before too long, you've used it enough to have paid for it.
What I mean is, say you make 25 things with it in the first year you own it.
If those patterns were full price, say $12 each, that's $300 right there.

As for pattern drafting books, there are plenty out there. Here's a few:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/se...=patternmaking

Off on the left side, you will see "High Fashion Sewing Secrets..." by
Claire Shaeffer. I have that book. Love it. And it talks a little about
pattern drafting. It's a great reference book to have on the shelf anyway,
IMO.

Sharon

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"Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of time and just annoys the
pig."