Welcome to March!
This is going to be a great month, I can feel it! I plan to pick up my sewing pace, and try a few new things. The first of which, is to sew a sloper. Yes, a sloper. I have been studying a lot of my fit books, and reading about the usefulness of a sloper, and I am convinced to give one a try. I figure if there is anything that can decrease my chances of having to sew multiple muslins in the future, I would give it a chance.
What is a sloper? "A basic pattern developed on paper by drafting or in cloth by draping, but with seam allowances omitted, used as a tool to create other patterns." (dictionary.com)
Here are my reasons for wanting to sew one:
1. For use as a fit guide to patterns I sew
2. As a foundation for eventually drafting my own patterns
3. To get a better understanding of my fit issues/and figure out how to troubleshoot them
Last Friday I took advantage of the sale going on at Hancock Fabrics, and picked up Vogue 1004, a pattern block specifically for slopers.
I originally wanted to get Mccalls 2718 by Palmer/Pletsch (on sale 5 for $7), but the store I was at did not carry it. I almost leaped for joy to find the Vogue pattern because you have to purchase only one size. I got size 12 since my bust measurement put me closer to this size.
When I opened the envelope I was surprised to see the amount of detailing in the pattern envelope! It looks very thorough, and takes you through the process step by step, from building a profile of your body via your measurements, understanding wearing ease vs. design ease, constructing the shell, and altering it. I'll also use a lot of the instruction from my Craftsy "Sew the Perfect fit" class to aid with the alterations/fit.
For some reason, I don't see slopers mentioned much in the sewing community. I know there are local classes I can take to develop a bodice or skirt sloper, but I have never heard of anyone who has found them invaluable. If you use/have used/tried to make a sloper, please let me know, and share your experience with me. The possibilities from having a sloper intrigue me, yet I wonder how practical it will be in the end.
For my next project, I will be sewing Burda 6910, View A (though I also love View B):
Even though this shirt looks "easy as pie," (or SUPER EASY, as it states) I am not going to take a chance. I will make a muslin just to be 100% sure I will like the end result. I am also going with short sleeves because the weather has started to show glimmers of sunshine and warmth.
Stay sew-filled!
First color me jealous at glimmers of spring! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat fabric are you using for the top?? I think that one is next for me too. After I finish buttonholes on my shirt.
I see ALL the time where sewers are using their slopers to make fit changes to a pattern before they start cutting. Have fun!!!
Love the burda pattern! I've had a sloper pattern for forever but have yet to try it out. It would definitely save me the trouble of hunting through patterns looking for a design element when I could just draft it myself.
ReplyDeleteFor the top I plan on using my orchid colored cotton jersey from Fabric Mart. It is bright, and fun for spring.
ReplyDeleteI know you will make an amazing version of this top, Nakisha. Some of the other reviews I have seen on Patternreview have been good, too.
And thanks for the info on other bloggers having success with slopers. That excites me even more!
I just finished cutting about the pattern for that Burda 6910. I'll be watching you closely since after I looked at those Ikea-like instructions I knew I was in over my head.
ReplyDeleteI think this is going to be so pretty in Orchid! Can't wait to see how it turns out! God luck!
ReplyDeleteMajor Oops...Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteA sloper is a fantastic idea! I know many people who use this but I have not had the time to make one yet. It sounds like a great plan to work on the sloper and have a fun, easy project on the side.
ReplyDeleteIt will make a great spring top!
Thanks, Annie! I tell you, I have been working on this sloper, and am getting more and more excited as I see it coming together. I am hoping it won't be too difficult to fit my body. I plan on starting Burda 6910 this evening.
ReplyDeleteI am waiting for your results and experience with the sloper. I have the same one, but I think it's too big now.
ReplyDeleteMy pattern making books have you make line and then you copy it to make adjustments for other styles. It is a starting point to create designs,and used to make sure a pattern will fit by comparing. I'm tempted to do one with you.
I too have seen peeps write about using their slopers. At the ASE last fall I went to a class about slopers and I definitely see the value--looks like they'd be super helpful for determining right away if a pattern will fit or not.
ReplyDeletep.s. meant to add that I just don't have the energy/desire to make a sloper but maybe someday!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kyle! Making this sloper has proved to be labor intensive, but I sooooo hope it is all worth it in the end!!
ReplyDeleteI kept reading around about slopers but had no idea what they were. I'll give myself a few more months of practice before I think about it lol
ReplyDelete