Thursday 29 April 2010

At Colette Patterns: 'Pattern Variations'

This week over at Colette Patterns I got a bit confessional and a bit needy. You see, until recently, I harboured something of a dark secret: I’m obsessed with making multiples of the same sewing pattern. I feel I have made a good case for justifying doing so, mind. All the hard work fitting your toile/muslin/first attempt, figuring the confusing instructions and of course the expense of the pattern in the first place: these are all good reasons to use the pattern multiple times.

‘So, what?’, I hear you ask, ‘You’ve made a couple of blouses from the same pattern before. And?’. I mean I’ve made, like, seven garments from the same pattern in the past, with more in the planning stages. Every successful sewing project I’ve had I’ve either repeated or plan to repeat. My concern is: when does economic sense turn obsessional? I turned to the readers of the Colette Patterns blog for assurance I'm not alone. Although, no-one at present has 'fessed up to seven multiples, I feel I have a kindred spirit in Brooke who has clearly fallen hard for Simplicity 2614!

13 comments:

EmilyKate said...

I feel you, definitely, on wanting to make multiples. especially if you have traced the pattern out from a Burda magazine for example, then done all the petite-ing( in my case) and various other adjustments... really though I don't make multiples as much as I should.... I devised a pattern for myself for undies, and have made approximately 137 pairs.

AnaJan said...

I've made a dozen of blouses using the JJ pattern from BurdaStyle and the BWOF 1/2008 blouse (just like you). I tend to alter the pattern every time - either I change a collar or the sleeves or I play with the seams' position.
You can see them all at
BurdaStyle

Clare said...

I have made multiples of the Vogue 8468 sleeveless dress because it's dead easy and works for summer and winter. I have about 6 versions of Vogue 4895 short sleeved top and I've made many others to give to friends / sisters - I think I can do this one with my eyes closed. I feel really boring every time I even contemplate making another but...I know I'll make them again! I don't think I'd be so inclined if they weren't so easy.

Anonymous said...

I think I would make multiples of the same pattern too :) You are in good company.

Can we see pictures of the seven different garmets?

anne maskell said...

you aren't alone! when ever I find a pattern I love, I tend to make 2-3 right away! It can be so difficult to find a pattern that fits well and looks good, I take advantage of it when I do!

Stacy said...

You're definitely not alone. McCall's 3341 is my tried-and-true skirt pattern. I think I've made eight of them. I've made them long, I've made them short...out of corduroy or faux suede for fall, out of linen or cotton print for spring. Get used to me and this pattern; you'll be seeing it a lot during Me-Made-May. :)

Adventures in Dressmaking said...

I love making variations on patterns! And it's so much easier once you've already cut the pattern out... then, too (hopefully), you know the right size and fit!

Amy said...

I think making multiples is a smart thing to do. If something works for you, you might as well take advantage of it!

Jodi Wade said...

I love Burda 7829. I had used it at least 6 times by the start of this year...


I have started one other dress with it that I can think of now. There may be more hidden away in my piles of half-finished garments :)

Brooke said...

Oh honey, you are so not alone. 3 blouses and 2 dresses made from the same pattern, and another 2 cut out and ready to go, just waiting for me to have some time to get to them.

And I want to do a maxi-length one in linen for a June conference in New Orleans. And THEN I am going to start looking at piping and tiny buttons on the bodice, a la one of the gorgeous Colette patterns.

Simplicity 2614, I wish I could quit you.*

* Lie.

Gail said...

I've recently made three versions of the same top (although they look significantly different from each other). Just when I thought I was over that pattern I'm considering making a dress using the same.

emily said...

Multiples are definitely the way to go - they let you be inventive and they stretch the money you paid for the original pattern, surely that's win-win?!

☮ midnightintern ☮ said...

I like the 'stick to what you know' method of sewing too.

Don't fret.

x

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