Sew Fitting: West Houston
I had so much fun visiting Wild Women Stitchers I decided, one week later, to visit another Neighborhood Group! When you click on Neighborhood Groups on our ASG Houston website you will find photos of some of the group activities. Sew Fitting, under Twila’s leadership, had some interesting photos of draping fabric on half size dress form mannequins. I think that must have been a fun meeting!
On the calendar, for the day I wanted to attend, the topic was about copying an existing garment on paper to produce a new pattern. This!… was right up my alley! From now on I will reach out to the meeting leader the day before, or better yet a few days before. Twila embroiders some super cute name tags for each of her meeting attendees. She told me if she knew I was coming she would have made me a name tag as well! Well Twila, I’ll probably be there for your next meeting, April 23rd!
Meeting the Sew Fitting Group
I really didn’t know who I would meet going into the Trini Mendenhall Community Center on Wirt Road and I was a bit nervous. First off I have to say… how lucky are the people who live near this community center?! It seems like an incredible facility for meetings and programs in the neighborhood. I’ll be checking to see if there is a similar facility near me. I followed people walking into the building, around a corner and down the hall and easily spotted our ASG members in a classroom. I introduced myself and swiftly overcame the awkwardness of being a new person in the group. Everyone was so nice and welcoming!
There were 11 members in attendance. We went around the table and introduced ourselves and talked about how we got started sewing and how long it has been. Some of the members I remember meeting before and some faces were familiar but I’d never formally met.
I remember Norma from the annual meeting. There were two Terri’s at the meeting and, remarkably, I *think* I remember one from the 2018 retreat at Camp Allen I attended. She loves to make skirts and I remember she made several knit skirts at the retreat. Joann was a friendly face as I know her from my regular NG meeting in the Woodlands where she also attends. I was thrilled to meet Merlene face to face. I remember her distinctive tunic of polka dots and stripes at the Annual Meeting where Michelle summarized the 2024 Tunic challenge and presented a ‘fashion show’ of member’s makes. There were also other ladies who have a rich history with ASG and had some interesting stories about sewing, machines and travels involving sewing and fabrics! It was great meeting everyone.
Conversation and Sew and Tell
Copying an Exiting Garment to Make A Pattern
I’m sure we all have a favorite garment we’d like to make with new fabric or in a different size. Twila presented ways to copy the garment onto paper. It would be great to have a paper pattern for making the garment again as it wears out or we outgrow it.
Possible Methods to Copy Garment
- Layer garment on pattern paper and use stiletto tracing wheel to outline seams, leaving an impression on the paper. The stiletto tracing wheel could damage the fibers of the garment if used directly on a wearable garment.
- Layer garment onto pattern paper. Push pins along seam to get impression on paper.
- Layer garment on top of carbon tracing paper which is face down on top of pattern paper. Trace seams using a (non-stiletto) tracing wheel. The carbon paper will leave an outline of the garment on the pattern paper.
- Lay silk organza on pattern and draw seams with erasable pen. After tracing onto tracing paper, the silk can be ironed and used again.
- Best method to copy garment is to take the garment apart and trace individual pieces. If cutting garment apart at the seam lines remember to add seam allowances to the completed pattern.
- If the garment is symmetrical you only have to copy one half. Take note of pattern symmetry whether color blocking or asymmetrical hems. You may have to copy more pieces than just half the garment.
- For all instances be sure to add appropriate seam allowances. Inspect the garment if unsure about SA; i.e. 3/8”-1/2” for main body of garment but 1/4” SA for collar, collar stands and possible 1/4” to 3/8” SA for necklines.
I was motivated to come home and copy a dress my daughter loves. I’ll post my experiences in garment copying when I am finished.
Have you copied garments using any of these methods? Do you have other methods for copying garments? Please share with us your experience in reproducing favorite garments! We would love to hear from you and see PHOTOS!!! Your successful copy could be featured on the blog!