So here is me before and after my bodice block alterations
Bodice muslin fitting
Posted by on May 7, 2012 11 Comments
Adjusting standard block. Part Three.
Posted by on April 23, 2012 Leave a Comment
Welcome back to standard block adjustments!
In this part I’ll adjust front and back length, draw correct shoulder lines, new back dart and bust dart.
Previous posts on this subject are:
I have also added a video at the end of this post.
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Me and standard block
Posted by on April 5, 2012 12 Comments
Finally, I got around to my standard block adjustment! Without much ado, let’s begin.
As a base I took a Close Fitting Standard Bodice Block in size 14 as drafted by W. Aldrich in “Metric pattern cutting”.
The creative license. You have one.
Posted by on February 2, 2012 8 Comments
Close fitting bodice block/sloper
Posted by on September 3, 2011 12 Comments
There are many ways to get a bodice block…
You can go to websites that offer free instructions on how to draft a block.
You can buy a book on patternmaking, or enrol in a patternmaking course.
There are many drafting techniques and even more books written on the subject, some methods are very complex and require significant number of body measurements and subsequent calculations.
Every single measurement and calculation in pattern drafting is in direct connection with other measurements and calculations, because of this even a slightest mistake can and most definitely will escalate and lead to a major fitting problem. In the end the miscalculation may lead to a waste of time, effort and materials used.
Here are some personal experiences:
“…a pattern is drafted by scratch using the most exacting of standards. It’s very clinical and scientific. Everything is measured with a ruler to the greatest degree of precision possible, much like an engineering drawing, using a drafting square and a scale formula. It’s extremely complicated, and everything must be checked and double-checked. There are slightly different methods you can use, but they all involve a lot of measuring and calculation. When you are taught this for the first time, you feel as if you’re studying nuclear physics, rather than pattern drafting.”
“…Yes, the traditional process of pattern drafting is complicated and mysterious. Sparsely explained diagrams dizzy us with geometry and jargon.”
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“ …I spent several days straight working on trying to draft a basic block that came somewhere close to fitting me, and despite consulting various sources the formulas just never worked right. I’ve taken college patternmaking and draping, and I understand how it works – I can swing darts all over the place! But all of the basic block instructions I can find end up completely wonky when drafted to my measurements.”
I don’t have to tell you what happens when you use a flawed pattern, we have all been there. None of us ever wants to go there again and we don’t have to.
Let me tell you more about close fitting bodice block.
A close fitting bodice block covers you from neck to hips. It gives you a standard shape and a standard system that can then be adapted in myriad ways to produce all sorts of garments.
Once the block pattern is drafted, you can make up the result in fabric and check the fit. Any changes can be transferred back to your block pattern to save effort later and give you a well-fitted pattern that you can use again and again.
Most professional dressmakers and tailors have blocks in all sizes ready, because adapting a block is much simpler and faster than drafting one to client’s personal measurements and the result is just as good.
Having a block that fits you will liberate you from commercial patterns which, as many of us have found, often cannot be relied upon for accuracy.
Ask yourself – How much work does it take to alter a commercial pattern and make it fit? How much time do you spend doing it? How many times have you done it? Do you have to do it over and over again?
Would having a personal bodice block solve these problems?
The single most freeing skill that a sewer can have is to learn to draft his or her own patterns.
And so I am offering you a close fitting bodice block already made, tested and tried, true to standard measurements, ready to be adjusted to your individual figure. No calculations, no mistakes, drafted to standard industry measurements, professionally digitised and graded – a perfect base to start building your own patterns and experiment with your own design ideas. No wait, no fuss, no snail mail – ready to be downloaded this very minute.
Spend more time designing and less time calculating.
Express your creativity.
Enjoy the freedom of drafting your own patterns.
Order now
Instructions:
- Take your Bust, Waist and Hip measurements and compare them to the measurements given in Standard Body Measurements chart ( given in cm ) below. Select size with the measurements closest to yours
- Select your size from drop down menu and order your standard block
- Follow the instructions to prepare your block for use
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