CONTOURED WAISTLINES:

Looking at the current fashions, so many skirts and trousers are equipped with a contoured waistband! So many times we want to make a trouser or skirt without darts, but would have preferred to have a contoured waistband…...and can’t find the exact pattern!

Now you can decide…… do you want it on the hips, just below the waist, on the waist or above the waist. Make your own and enjoy!

    Choose your favorite pattern that you know the fit. Trousers or skirt.

    Decide what width you want the contoured waistband to be.

 Cut that piece off your basic pattern, fold the darts close and it will form a shaped band.

   Some times the darts don’t extend to the bottom of the band and you will have creased marks in the paper and the pattern won’t be flat. Extend dart line to bottom of band cut open but not through on this line fold dart out nice and flat.

  You might need to reshape the side a little , fit paper pattern and recheck.

 

  Check the top measurement - allow some ease to your  preference. If needed shape more on sides.  

  Be careful too not make it too low....specially hipsters at back pattern.

  I always measure it from the top of the pants. The width I want to take off to the contoured waistline, but be very weary when using a hipster pattern when doing this.

  If using a hipster pattern but you want the contour to be wider, take the amount off where you would like the band to start and extend at the top to make it wider.

  An easy waistband sample to try out is using rib trim, add to trousers and check to see if you didn’t do it too low.

  Those lucky ones with the tiny waists this is a good option into the fitting of a contoured waistline.

Tips on sewing the contoured waistline

  To improve the finished appearance of this style you need to interface it well, sometimes both pieces, depending on fabric choice.

  It is also important that the upper edge of the contour be stabilized further. To do this use cotton twill tape stretch it slightly and then stitched within the seamline.

(The stretching of the twill tape eases the upper edge, allowing it to cup closer to the figure, giving a more professional finish. The tape will prevent the upper edge from stretching during wear)

ONLINE CLASSES & PROJECTS

We are planning to develop & compile more Sewing Classes & Projects for 2007. Would you be so kind to put forward some ideas? Is there a specific sewing or pattern making topic you struggle with that you want us to cover in a class or project? If we use your suggested topic for a class or project...you will be able to enrol for that class/project at no cost. Thank you in anticipation. 

We have also added an Online Video, demonstrating the Lutterloh Pattern System, on our website. You can view it HERE if you want a refreshing course

 

SEWING TIP

Always fit your paper pattern. Remember the only thing that could happen to the pattern whilst fitting is it might tear! Luckily it won’t cry or shout at you so just repair it with some cellotape! The time spend on fitting the paper pattern will save you heaps off sewing frustrations!

ENJOY THE SEWING JOURNEY!

 

SUPPLEMENT NO 262 (Autumn/Fall edition)

The most recent Supplement number 262 (Autumn/Fall) is now available. In there, you will find the following interesting patterns:

A Riding outfit trousers, blouse and jacket all using stretch fabric!

 Skirts:

As if Marcus has read my mind! A beautiful contoured waistband with skirt cut on the bias.

Two four gore skirts - A flirty retro look swinging skirt, and a straight pencil skirt to do some interesting trims or topstitching on.

Interesting gathered wide skirts. One which they have sewed on elastic, gathering it again giving you the look of a tiered skirt.

Trousers:

Most with facings, some with darts pleats all sorts, different lengths and widths of leg shaping. The one I find interesting has a slit in the back bottom half, good one for the young.

 Dresses:

Raglan sleeve or sleeveless with nice tie collar, with nice frill on one side of the dress.

Square neck dresses, sleeveless one with nice cowl at the back.

A Low V-neck loose dress using stretch, that can be worn if pregnant or do the interesting belt going with the dress, very comfy look!

 Tops - All sorts:

Princess line - almost off the shoulder with collar or without, which is a good in between weather option for casual or evening.

Shawl collar evening blouse, with tiny little pearl button opening and interesting belt.

Cross over shawl collar using stretch fabric with a tie belt front.

High collar blouse with frills.

 Jackets:

Double breasted, Zip fronts, Shawl collar with peplum.

Military look with high collar double breasted with peplum very chic!

Fuller figure:

Jackets - Princess line going into the armhole with zip closure.

Princess line going into the shoulder with buttons closure and high collar added epiluettes on shoulder giving you a military look, quite funky.

Empire jacket with shawl collar.

Empire cross over blouse or jacket .

A-line skirts.

Denim yoke three quarter trousers.

Smart/ casual trousers with pleat in front.

The 40 patterns are available at US$21 plus shipment. You can also subscribe for a full year and receive 4 supplements of 40 patterns each for US$63 plus postage. To order please go to ORDER and follow the instructions.

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