More options? I have gone ahead and made a playlist of all of my sloper and block related videos, which can be found here: ua-cam.com/video/weIdvU0g4tk/v-deo.html And in the description above there are links directly to several fitting shell patterns and other similar options!
Thank you so much for making a playlist on slopers and blocks. I started drafting my block from your other video based on standardized measurements. My first try with a size 18 was weird everywhere so I am working out my second try with a size 6 and a full bust adjustment. It's nearly perfect. This video is helping me immensely to work out the very few fit issues I have now. I appreciate you so much for sharing this information and for all of the tips and tricks you pass along!
Freezer paper is my favorite, I don't cut the pattern out at all. I just lay the pattern out on a light background, place the "wax" side down on the pattern and trace away with a felt tip marker. You end up with a pattern that can be reused for a long time.
OMFG!!! I used so sooo much wrapping paper when I was adjusting a corset pattern! I've never met anyone else who uses it for pattern paper. I have actual pattern paper as well as some tracing/drafting paper, but I didn't want to use those Expensive Papers on a bajillion drafts of a corset while I worked out the fit 🙃 and some leftover rolls from Christmas were an absolute lifesaver during that project. (Also, not gonna lie, I really like turning over my pattern peices and seeing the pretty tartan that would have been the outside of a gift)
I DID IT!!! I made my bodice block! I watched this video ages ago thinking “I’ll come back to this later…” and that day has finally come. 14 (I think) versions, 10 metres of calico, and a million weird fit issues later…and it is finally perfect. Or at least, perfect enough lol. With this, I shall be unstoppable. I would not have even considered this to be possible without your wisdom and guidance. Thank you for everything you do!
It looked fantastic for only a 3rd mock up. I like to remove the seam allowance from the neckline and armholes because I can visualize better where it needs to sit. And one thing I think is worth doing: sew your mock up and wear it for a few hours. The wrinkles in it will show you things that will need fixing but didn't show when you were just trying it on. This is particularly useful when you have a skirt mock up attached to the bodice. Walk, bend over, sit down, cross you legs, do what you'd normally do. It will show if you need to shorten or add to your waist and even on the side seams. The way it fits and feels will tell you a lot about adjustments that need to be made.
32G short waisted person here who tried to do this 6 years ago and gave up when the armscye started to look like a little cup hook. Surely not! But, yes! It’s a thing! I can do this!
I did it! Yesterday I drafted my own bodice block from scratch--as you show in one of your other videos, and today I drafted trousers! Yay! I wouldn't have tried without you, Bianca. Thank you. After a lifetime of ill-fitting clothing both bought and made. After giving up in tears over ever fitting a pants pattern to me, I finally see light at the end of the tunnel. I know mock-ups are not easy, but I'm excited!
As a complete beginner *and huge fan* I have been going through this process. I really appreciated you saying that it didn't need to be perfect - I struggled with perfectionism and that was the push I needed to wrap up sooner rather than later. My sloper is close, hopefully after these changes it will be close enough
I don’t even remember who said this to me but someone once told me “done Is better than perfect because perfect is never done” and that has stayed with me for Ever
I was watching your videos about making a basic pattern. Great idea as I often was unhappy with several clothes that I sewed. But the other day I was in a thrift shop and tried on a blazer that fit beautifully. It was an 18w, Talbot, with tags still on. In a print and fabric I would not wear. Today I went back and bought it. I am going to try using it to make a pattern.
As a woman with similar proportions to you, this video was an inspiration. I have attempted making clothing, never with a successful fit. I'm going to put the effort into developing block patterns; thank you for giving such detailed instructions and encouragement to stick to the process. Thank you so much for all your generous efforts.
This is so detailed, I am learning so much from you 😍 knowing how patterns are manipulated to accommodate larger bust size, esp on an hourglass shape, is great. I can relate and that makes a lot of retail clothing difficult unless it is very blousy. Also, this knocks out the "Why darts?" question, really demonstrating their usage.
@@TheClosetHistorian Yes! And this one was super helpful for me because I chronically have extra fabric just above my bust, (what you were explaining at the 20ish minute mark with that mock-up) and have given up several times on different projects because I just couldn't work out how to fix it.
So I can't bring myself to cut up yardage to sew back together into a quilt. But I bet I CAN make mockups out of pretty quilting cotton, then cut those up to make quilts! Thank you for the instruction and the inspirational 💜💜💜
Bought this fitting shell pattern, did all the maths, didn't fit. Now I know why. Thank you for making the instructions finally make sense! You're wonderful!
I’m late to the party but thank you so much! I had given up on sewing after my last dress was ok but had demon bust darts that would not sit flat. Now I think I’ll try again thanks to your wonderful tutorial.
I've tried to do this on my own and wasn't ~super~ successful so I'm extremely grateful for such a helpful video! Thanks for breaking this down for us newbie sewers so we have something to start slashing and spreading with you in the future! ✂️ 🪡
I have made several fittings for myself, and I had never thought to leave the front part open. Rookie stuff. Thanks for the tutorial as always it is very detailed.
Got 5 minutes into this video, paused, ordered one of these patterns, and then returned to the video. I look forward to giving this a try! Thanks for another motivating and informative video!
This video was 51 minutes long??! Um...totally felt like only 20 or so. Truly a testament to how valuable this information is and how well presented. As Molly Brown might have said, "Dip me and fry me!" 😁
So I drafted my own bodice block. It wasn’t bad for the first draft. Your tutorials really helped me to see that its a process. Being a curvy and petite woman, it has been very helpful to watch you share the process of creating patterns. Thank you. I subscribed a while ago.😊
I own this pattern, and the way you did your fba is exactly how they show you how in their directions. 😊 Thank you for sharing this and taking the time to encourage others to just do the thing! Do the work... No matter how much we want a perfect pattern handed to us, it will still require work...That only we can do with our own bodies. But, I think it's half the fun, learning what myself actually looks like and needs to achieve the goal silhouette from my clothes. 💚
Great work - and so generous of you to share this info on the process. As a 51 year old cis man just getting into sewing and keen to try making my own blocks, your video has made me really excited. Thank you TCH!
I had not thought to take some of my waist dart and transfer it to the side seam! My darts were becoming unwieldy and couldn't figure out what to do with them. Definitely going to try that with my next mock up of my block. Thank you!
I’ve been adapting patterns on the hoof for years and since I’m not a perfectionist I’ve been more or less happy with the results. But I learnt so much this morning: far better than starting the day with the “nonsense” all around us ... thanks! SO helpful ! I’m off to the market for a couple of metres of deadstock sheeting to make slopers. Finally!
I really like the geometry and process of this! I started playing around with trying to make my own blocks. I think I'll try again using this method instead and see how it goes! Thank you so much for taking the time and walking us through this in such detailed steps
How lucky you are to have that beautiful hourglass figure! With a WAIST! I am lime green with envy - I’ve NEVER had one. It does make sewing easier, just sew a straight seam on both sides. Thank you so much for a very informative video.
I enjoyed watching your video. I’m a beginner, so much of this is intimidating, but you’ve really inspired me to learn more and hopefully I’ll be able to grow into making my own block patterns because, even as a beginner, this seems to be the obvious solution to well-fitting clothes. I would love to wear well- fitting and flattering clothes. So, for now, I watch you videos like TV, but hopefully someday I will be making my own block patterns. Thanks for sharing.
This video has been INCREDIBLY helpful! I'm just starting to improve on my sewing and in doing my first full bust adjustment I made two versions and it still didn't fit. I got so frustrated and have set it aside, but now, knowing that it took you seven versions, I am inspired to go back and keep working on it. Thank you!
I have found, like you, that keeping each sample (in case you have to back track) is very helpful~ doing this has saved me lots of time whenever I’ve needed to “start over” for various reasons.
Thank you very much for your videos. You are right - make your block pattern fit it then sew from that and learn that skill. I just hate to waste fabric but that is what those old worn sheets were kept for - sewing practice. I sewed for decades. I was 36B back then and just had to watch the lengths of sleeves etc. Bodys tend to change over the decades so ... time for a new approach. I could alter my bady --- but that is not a reasonable quick or likely fix LOL. thanks again. You are inspiring. I did stretch and sew and the worst I did was fry fabric in the dryer a few times. My best guess is that I need block patterns for woven and a different one for stretch knits. I am not sure if you can just size up or down for a knit vs woven. experimentation will tell. Thank you again. Your videos are still blessing and inspiring us.
You probably won't see this since this video is from a year, but I'm going to comment anyway in hopes that you may. 😁 Woof, it took 2 days to follow along with you and make my own block that I made with just my measurements, but only 2 tries!! I'm a beginner sewist and stopped sewing for a year because absolutely nothing was coming out even halfway decent on me and it was heartbreaking. Then, I found your channel and have been avidly consuming your videos and seeing all the things about the patterns that just never would have worked, no matter how hard I tried. So I decided to use my birthday weekend to follow your guidance and make a bodice block to remedy the ridiculous situation that is my pile of patterns. I just finished today, so I haven't made anything yet, but I can't wait to make something now and hopefully it'll come out at least wearable. Next I'll be following your guide on a pencil skirt block. Would you ever consider a video for a pant block?? If that's a thing... Or, would you ever consider making a merry widow?? I'd much rather make my own one day rather than she'll out a gross amount of money for something that likely wouldn't even fit me anyhow. I'm 5'10 with a long torso and tummy issues from losing 80lbs, so I don't fit any general shape now, lol. Which is why I greatly appreciate your guidance in finding how to make things that work for me and not some mystery model clothing companies has decided is the ideal shape. Thank you ever so much. ~Evie
Thank you Evie! I hope you stick with pattern drafting as it indeed opens all the doors! I am less experienced with trouser drafting as I am more of a skirts and dresses person myself. I may do some corset making sometime, but not any midcentury shapewear, as lingerie seems very fiddly to make to me!
@@TheClosetHistorian I definitely will. Using patterns just doesn't make sense now. I'm obsessed with the Empire waste wide leg trousers from the 50s(I think) that I saw the head librarian wear in the Magicians from Netflix, but don't know where to begin trying to make some. Learning how you go about the corset process would be amazing too. I have a pattern and a corset that fits okay, so learning how to make it fit properly would be great too. Whatever amazingness your wonderful mind comes up with is always great too. 😊 Happy New Year! 💜
This is helpful and encouraging- the number of times I’ve just given up when I couldn’t get a bodice pattern to fit! I didn’t realise that the seventh time was the charm!
Brand new sewist here! Thought I was going to focus mostly on home decor type stuff but you know....rabbit holes.... Anyway, I wanted to add that I got a pretty good sized roll of brown craft paper from Dollar Tree (purchased for a completely different project lol)!
The amount of time this must have taken you to share thia process... you are amazing! My life won't take me into schooling for this stuff for a while, and while I have pattern drafting books to reference, it simply isn't my learning style. These videos are immensely helpful to follow along or reference. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed. Thank you so much!
insane how I watched you two years ago and I’ve literally just completed my bodice block. I’m so grateful to your channel for opening me up to quite literally a whole new world.
This was absolutely fantastic! I have the exact same measurements as what you read out at the beginning, so I was picturing all the work I would need to do. But, my last few sewing efforts have been absolutely abysmal with the store bought patterns fitting me poorly. Time to try to make my own bodice block , thank you
Thank you for showing this. I just picked up one of the butterick patterns that was pretty much a block and now I can use your video to help modify it for myself and also for my oldest child
THANK YOU! This is exactly what I needed! You've made a daunting task actually approachable. You truly have a gift for explaining these things to get to the best fit.
I loved seeing how you were able to wrangle this bodice into a block! I really like the pinning seams/darts instead of sewing idea!! I've watched a couple of your other videos and will be returning for more. Thanks!!
THANK YOU!! I just purchased a secondhand mannequin with THIS plan in mind but I didn’t know what it was called!! Never had any luck with set patterns. So excited!!
Well, I did it and it worked wonderfully! Now I have to find YT videos on how to use it to create stuff. Thank you for the excellent tutorial and funny comments. I watched many of these bodice block videos and your video was by far the BEST! Love all your videos.
Bravo! If you encourage even a dozen or more sewists to develop their custom blocks your effort will have moved the hobby forward. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Your videos have help me to be a better sewer. We have been in lockdown here in Sydney for the last 4 weeks and I have spent this time trying the perfect my bodice block. It has been so helpful to see that it can take longer to achieve the perfect fit . This video could not have come at a better time as I was about to give up. Thank you so much. 🥰🥰
Honestly I think just getting the green light on what you should/ shouldn’t, can/ can’t in this process is what I really get out of a video like this. Knowing that these mishaps or mistakes or variations are supposed to occur is so comforting to watch play out in real life. I tried making my own sloper from measurements and the bust was too high. I think I’ll revisit it with a bodice block pattern like you just demonstrated and see how that goes. Thanks again!
@@carolynellis387 I’m not sure. I’ve heard the term but I’m not an expert in UK terms to say what it means. I understand a sloper to be the base pattern tailored to your measurements onto which you make changes to arrive at a new design. I think sloper and bodice block are interchangeable terms, but I’m going off of what I’ve heard on UA-cam. I always thought a toile was like a muslin (which is also confusing), which is when you attempt a pattern using “practice” fabric before using the better fabric intended for that garment. I hope that helps, but maybe you can teach me what a toile is? 😊
@craftynekoLM thanks for replying and for your explanation I was confused by terms but your explanation made me understand what sloper is Yes, you're right a Toile is muslin/calico actually made up of the pattern as far as I understand, fitted with measurements obviously from a sloper(!) Then, as I'm a complete amateur in this, taken off dummy or person, and readjusted?
@@carolynellis387 Yes, that’s my understanding of it too. The toile/ muslin comes after the sloper is adjusted into the pattern I want. The toile/ sloper process can take a long time if you keep needing to adjust and tweak it to fit you 😅. Thank you for writing back as well and confirming what I thought a toile was. That was very kind 😊.
@craftynekoLM well at least we've cracked that definition I'm in UK, Bianca really puts things in perspective sewing wise. I can tell she's loads of experience and common sense with her subject
Learning so many things! But one of the really satisfying ones was that I'm not the only introvert who would never have a 'sewing/fitting buddy'. Still think you and I are friends... from afar. Looking forward to learning more from you!
My God !!! This is an AWESOME video. I am headed right now to the playlist you created. Thank you so much for all the instruction. You're degree has served you (and me, Haaaa) very well indeed.
Really love your delivery. Thanks so much for your clearly spoken and explained clip. I'm an industrial machinist who makes gymnastics crash mats by day, but really wants to learn to make fitted clothing.
I came across this video in search of a "pattern drafting course for beginners" video. I have this same pattern that I purchased for a fitting class on Craftsy years ago to alter it to fit my body. I did a few muslins but I have many fit issues that I could't perfect such as tilted pelvis/hips, sway back, smaller than standard arm scye, and a "few extra inches" in the mid-section. My biggest fit isue with ready to wear pants is the inseam is never long enough and I;m not tall, I'm 5'5 but they always sag in the crotch. A few years and some extra weight later, I am inspired to pull this pattern back out and give it another try with this video. I haven't watched the full video yet but I intend to watch ALL of your videos. I wish you could come over and help me when I get stuck, but I will search all your other videos for an answer or post my question for you or the followers to chime in. Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge.
This was so incredibly helpful. And perfectly timed for me to find. I have about 6 weeks off this summer before the fall semester begins and the craziness ensues. I just finished a 2-dart and princess block pattern thanks to you! I can’t wait to see what I can create before school starts back up (for my kids AND for me 😂).
I'm putting off watching the from scratch video because I need to take the time and actually do it. But this, this is just hanging out with my sewing friend and maybe something interesting or useful happens to click. Thanks!
That was very helpful! Thank you for showing the steps for fitting. Seeing what you were looking at and how you adjusted and then transferred the results to a new paper version was exactly the parts I was struggling to understand on my own.
I own the Vogue fitting shell pattern. I took it out of the envelope, cut out the bodice and sleeve pieces. Then I started separating the instruction pages, got frustrated. Tried to make sense out of all of that, got a horrible headache then politely folded up the pieces put them back in the envelope and put it away to work on later. That was more than a year ago. This is helping more in the first half hour. Thanks!
Thankyou for taking the time to share your knowledge. I received my second hand shell pattern from ebay yesterday. Today I started following your instructions. Start stop , reverse ,fast forward. I even got hubby to connect my iPad to the tv in my sewing room to see more detail. I’m feeling confident after I’ve just cut muslin no 1. Tomorrow I’ll try it on . Fingers crossed
At this point in my life, I can design and fit for my own body with my eyes shut. But I cannot always do so for another person. I think I am going to buy one of these fitting patterns to fit to my sister, and one for my daughter-in-law.
I've been wanting to make my own blocks, so I'm grateful for your videos on how to do them. I think I might have to steal mom from her sewing for a weekend to give a hand with the fitting.
Thank you so much Bianca. I never found anyone with my same bodytype (very similar to yours) and so I couldn't figure out how to fix the problems I had. So thank you again for showing all the complete process and the explanation for the fixes you made. :))
I recently bought Winifred Aldrich’s pattern making book, and I was so disheartened by the first bodice draft I made that I gave up. I hadn’t even considered that I could just pin it, instead of sewing. I’ll revisit it as soon as I finish the video. So thanks! This was really helpful.
Update: I’ve made three versions, and I’m starting to like the fit! In the next version, I’ll slash and spread to move one of the darts, and then I’ll be ready to sew the first version.
thank you so much for this, I just finished drafting a block from my measurement and couldn't for the life of me figure out what to do with my weird upper armpit dart. As someone with a similar curvy body shape, this is so helpful!
I am just now discovering your videos. I love your delivery and the way you talk through things. Thank you for sharing with us your talents and skills ❤
Thank you! JDGlow, the shade is called 365 www.jdglowcosmetics.com/collections/galaxy-eyeshadows/products/copy-of-anomaly-galaxy-1 They make the best shimmers!
this is so helpful!!! also, i was thinking "her highlighter looks so good!!!" and 3 seconds later you mentioned it and i found myself laughing alone hahaha
More options? I have gone ahead and made a playlist of all of my sloper and block related videos, which can be found here: ua-cam.com/video/weIdvU0g4tk/v-deo.html And in the description above there are links directly to several fitting shell patterns and other similar options!
Thank you so much for making a playlist on slopers and blocks. I started drafting my block from your other video based on standardized measurements. My first try with a size 18 was weird everywhere so I am working out my second try with a size 6 and a full bust adjustment. It's nearly perfect. This video is helping me immensely to work out the very few fit issues I have now. I appreciate you so much for sharing this information and for all of the tips and tricks you pass along!
Tip from someone who drafts their own patterns: a lot of wrapping paper has a 1" grid on the back, and is very cheap right after Christmas
Freezer paper is my favorite, I don't cut the pattern out at all. I just lay the pattern out on a light background, place the "wax" side down on the pattern and trace away with a felt tip marker. You end up with a pattern that can be reused for a long time.
OMFG!!! I used so sooo much wrapping paper when I was adjusting a corset pattern! I've never met anyone else who uses it for pattern paper. I have actual pattern paper as well as some tracing/drafting paper, but I didn't want to use those Expensive Papers on a bajillion drafts of a corset while I worked out the fit 🙃 and some leftover rolls from Christmas were an absolute lifesaver during that project. (Also, not gonna lie, I really like turning over my pattern peices and seeing the pretty tartan that would have been the outside of a gift)
Be sure to measure the grid squares on back of wrapping paper. I made the mistake of assuming they are 1" squares.
@@lowriderchik oh yeah, definitely do that. (mine were indeed 1" squares but now I see that one can never be completely sure)
Also goodwill sells wrapping paper as well
I DID IT!!! I made my bodice block! I watched this video ages ago thinking “I’ll come back to this later…” and that day has finally come. 14 (I think) versions, 10 metres of calico, and a million weird fit issues later…and it is finally perfect. Or at least, perfect enough lol. With this, I shall be unstoppable.
I would not have even considered this to be possible without your wisdom and guidance. Thank you for everything you do!
Congratulations! Now the actual fun begins after the pain 😅❤
It looked fantastic for only a 3rd mock up. I like to remove the seam allowance from the neckline and armholes because I can visualize better where it needs to sit. And one thing I think is worth doing: sew your mock up and wear it for a few hours. The wrinkles in it will show you things that will need fixing but didn't show when you were just trying it on. This is particularly useful when you have a skirt mock up attached to the bodice. Walk, bend over, sit down, cross you legs, do what you'd normally do. It will show if you need to shorten or add to your waist and even on the side seams. The way it fits and feels will tell you a lot about adjustments that need to be made.
Such a great tip!
Smart
What a great idea and makes sense the mock-up is going to be ironed when you start and then relax as you wear Thank you for suggesting it!
Thank you Leonardo! And those are some excellent tips for sure!
So helpful Thankyou
I'm discovering this 2 years after you posted this, but I thank you very much for this video
I am into my 55th year of sewing and this is the first doable block-pattern lesson I have ever come across! Thank you.
32G short waisted person here who tried to do this 6 years ago and gave up when the armscye started to look like a little cup hook. Surely not! But, yes! It’s a thing! I can do this!
I did it! Yesterday I drafted my own bodice block from scratch--as you show in one of your other videos, and today I drafted trousers! Yay!
I wouldn't have tried without you, Bianca. Thank you.
After a lifetime of ill-fitting clothing both bought and made. After giving up in tears over ever fitting a pants pattern to me, I finally see light at the end of the tunnel. I know mock-ups are not easy, but I'm excited!
As a complete beginner *and huge fan* I have been going through this process. I really appreciated you saying that it didn't need to be perfect - I struggled with perfectionism and that was the push I needed to wrap up sooner rather than later. My sloper is close, hopefully after these changes it will be close enough
Thank you! You are nearly there!!
Perfection is the enemy of done ✅. My mantra in the sewing room is by Samuel Beckett, try once fail, try again fail better.
Perfection fleeting evermore less stagnate than what compromised it to settle just enough.
I don’t even remember who said this to me but someone once told me “done Is better than perfect because perfect is never done” and that has stayed with me for Ever
I was watching your videos about making a basic pattern. Great idea as I often was unhappy with several clothes that I sewed. But the other day I was in a thrift shop and tried on a blazer that fit beautifully. It was an 18w, Talbot, with tags still on. In a print and fabric I would not wear. Today I went back and bought it. I am going to try using it to make a pattern.
As a woman with similar proportions to you, this video was an inspiration. I have attempted making clothing, never with a successful fit. I'm going to put the effort into developing block patterns; thank you for giving such detailed instructions and encouragement to stick to the process. Thank you so much for all your generous efforts.
This is so detailed, I am learning so much from you 😍 knowing how patterns are manipulated to accommodate larger bust size, esp on an hourglass shape, is great. I can relate and that makes a lot of retail clothing difficult unless it is very blousy. Also, this knocks out the "Why darts?" question, really demonstrating their usage.
Yes "why darts" quickly becomes "need dart here, and here, and over here..." 😂 Thank you Rebecca!
@@TheClosetHistorian Yes! And this one was super helpful for me because I chronically have extra fabric just above my bust, (what you were explaining at the 20ish minute mark with that mock-up) and have given up several times on different projects because I just couldn't work out how to fix it.
Couldn't have said it better myself!
It is SOOOO nice to see pattern adjustment tutorials from someone who is more along the line of my body type. Thank you! Great tutorial!
Thank you Kim!
You attacking that parchment pattern paper with those scissors really got across just how much you detest them lol
So I can't bring myself to cut up yardage to sew back together into a quilt. But I bet I CAN make mockups out of pretty quilting cotton, then cut those up to make quilts! Thank you for the instruction and the inspirational 💜💜💜
Bought this fitting shell pattern, did all the maths, didn't fit. Now I know why. Thank you for making the instructions finally make sense! You're wonderful!
Its when you start making big changes to a pattern and you think: this can't be right? My body can't be so weird?
My armscyce looks very weird, but it works...so who am I to complain 😂
I’m late to the party but thank you so much! I had given up on sewing after my last dress was ok but had demon bust darts that would not sit flat. Now I think I’ll try again thanks to your wonderful tutorial.
I've tried to do this on my own and wasn't ~super~ successful so I'm extremely grateful for such a helpful video! Thanks for breaking this down for us newbie sewers so we have something to start slashing and spreading with you in the future! ✂️ 🪡
I have made several fittings for myself, and I had never thought to leave the front part open. Rookie stuff. Thanks for the tutorial as always it is very detailed.
Anything that makes the process even slightly less annoying is needed 😅
Got 5 minutes into this video, paused, ordered one of these patterns, and then returned to the video. I look forward to giving this a try! Thanks for another motivating and informative video!
Thank you Deidre! I hope the pattern behaves!
Illuminating, educational, with humour peppered throughout. Thank you.
Thank you Rochelle!
This video was 51 minutes long??! Um...totally felt like only 20 or so. Truly a testament to how valuable this information is and how well presented. As Molly Brown might have said, "Dip me and fry me!" 😁
Just made my first shirt and I'm so happy with it. Thank you a million. Such a clear educational and helpful video. You are amazing
Hooray! Good work! First of many projects to come I'm sure!
So I drafted my own bodice block. It wasn’t bad for the first draft. Your tutorials really helped me to see that its a process. Being a curvy and petite woman, it has been very helpful to watch you share the process of creating patterns. Thank you. I subscribed a while ago.😊
I'm glad to hear it!! I hope you enjoy the pattern drafting adventure!
Yes your highlighter looks amazing
I own this pattern, and the way you did your fba is exactly how they show you how in their directions. 😊 Thank you for sharing this and taking the time to encourage others to just do the thing! Do the work... No matter how much we want a perfect pattern handed to us, it will still require work...That only we can do with our own bodies. But, I think it's half the fun, learning what myself actually looks like and needs to achieve the goal silhouette from my clothes. 💚
I KEEP coming back to this, especially now that I’m in fashion school.
Thank you SO MUCH for this information out there ❤
Great work - and so generous of you to share this info on the process. As a 51 year old cis man just getting into sewing and keen to try making my own blocks, your video has made me really excited. Thank you TCH!
Thank you Joe!
You are a fabulous teacher. I like a little laugh when lm learning.
Thank you!
I had not thought to take some of my waist dart and transfer it to the side seam! My darts were becoming unwieldy and couldn't figure out what to do with them. Definitely going to try that with my next mock up of my block. Thank you!
Knowing that this is a thing that exists is going to change my life
I’ve been adapting patterns on the hoof for years and since I’m not a perfectionist I’ve been more or less happy with the results. But I learnt so much this morning: far better than starting the day with the “nonsense” all around us ... thanks! SO helpful ! I’m off to the market for a couple of metres of deadstock sheeting to make slopers. Finally!
I really like the geometry and process of this! I started playing around with trying to make my own blocks. I think I'll try again using this method instead and see how it goes! Thank you so much for taking the time and walking us through this in such detailed steps
Thanks Jessie!
How lucky you are to have that beautiful hourglass figure! With a WAIST! I am lime green with envy - I’ve NEVER had one. It does make sewing easier, just sew a straight seam on both sides. Thank you so much for a very informative video.
I enjoyed watching your video. I’m a beginner, so much of this is intimidating, but you’ve really inspired me to learn more and hopefully I’ll be able to grow into making my own block patterns because, even as a beginner, this seems to be the obvious solution to well-fitting clothes. I would love to wear well- fitting and flattering clothes.
So, for now, I watch you videos like TV, but hopefully someday I will be making my own block patterns. Thanks for sharing.
This video has been INCREDIBLY helpful! I'm just starting to improve on my sewing and in doing my first full bust adjustment I made two versions and it still didn't fit. I got so frustrated and have set it aside, but now, knowing that it took you seven versions, I am inspired to go back and keep working on it. Thank you!
Considering I apparently have nearly identical measurements to you, this was incredibly helpful!
I have found, like you, that keeping each sample (in case you have to back track) is very helpful~ doing this has saved me lots of time whenever I’ve needed to “start over” for various reasons.
Thank you very much for your videos. You are right - make your block pattern fit it then sew from that and learn that skill. I just hate to waste fabric but that is what those old worn sheets were kept for - sewing practice. I sewed for decades. I was 36B back then and just had to watch the lengths of sleeves etc. Bodys tend to change over the decades so ... time for a new approach. I could alter my bady --- but that is not a reasonable quick or likely fix LOL. thanks again. You are inspiring. I did stretch and sew and the worst I did was fry fabric in the dryer a few times. My best guess is that I need block patterns for woven and a different one for stretch knits. I am not sure if you can just size up or down for a knit vs woven. experimentation will tell. Thank you again. Your videos are still blessing and inspiring us.
You probably won't see this since this video is from a year, but I'm going to comment anyway in hopes that you may. 😁 Woof, it took 2 days to follow along with you and make my own block that I made with just my measurements, but only 2 tries!!
I'm a beginner sewist and stopped sewing for a year because absolutely nothing was coming out even halfway decent on me and it was heartbreaking. Then, I found your channel and have been avidly consuming your videos and seeing all the things about the patterns that just never would have worked, no matter how hard I tried. So I decided to use my birthday weekend to follow your guidance and make a bodice block to remedy the ridiculous situation that is my pile of patterns.
I just finished today, so I haven't made anything yet, but I can't wait to make something now and hopefully it'll come out at least wearable. Next I'll be following your guide on a pencil skirt block.
Would you ever consider a video for a pant block?? If that's a thing... Or, would you ever consider making a merry widow?? I'd much rather make my own one day rather than she'll out a gross amount of money for something that likely wouldn't even fit me anyhow. I'm 5'10 with a long torso and tummy issues from losing 80lbs, so I don't fit any general shape now, lol. Which is why I greatly appreciate your guidance in finding how to make things that work for me and not some mystery model clothing companies has decided is the ideal shape. Thank you ever so much.
~Evie
Thank you Evie! I hope you stick with pattern drafting as it indeed opens all the doors! I am less experienced with trouser drafting as I am more of a skirts and dresses person myself. I may do some corset making sometime, but not any midcentury shapewear, as lingerie seems very fiddly to make to me!
@@TheClosetHistorian I definitely will. Using patterns just doesn't make sense now. I'm obsessed with the Empire waste wide leg trousers from the 50s(I think) that I saw the head librarian wear in the Magicians from Netflix, but don't know where to begin trying to make some. Learning how you go about the corset process would be amazing too. I have a pattern and a corset that fits okay, so learning how to make it fit properly would be great too. Whatever amazingness your wonderful mind comes up with is always great too. 😊 Happy New Year! 💜
23:16 That modesty display was creative. The expressiveness shown got a chuckle out of me 😄.
This is helpful and encouraging- the number of times I’ve just given up when I couldn’t get a bodice pattern to fit! I didn’t realise that the seventh time was the charm!
Yes that is the unfortunate truth 😂 The reward at the end of the battle is worth it though!!
Brand new sewist here! Thought I was going to focus mostly on home decor type stuff but you know....rabbit holes....
Anyway, I wanted to add that I got a pretty good sized roll of brown craft paper from Dollar Tree (purchased for a completely different project lol)!
Your sloper making method and demonstrations are very helpful. Thanks.
The amount of time this must have taken you to share thia process... you are amazing! My life won't take me into schooling for this stuff for a while, and while I have pattern drafting books to reference, it simply isn't my learning style. These videos are immensely helpful to follow along or reference. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed. Thank you so much!
Thank you Ann ❤
insane how I watched you two years ago and I’ve literally just completed my bodice block. I’m so grateful to your channel for opening me up to quite literally a whole new world.
This was absolutely fantastic! I have the exact same measurements as what you read out at the beginning, so I was picturing all the work I would need to do. But, my last few sewing efforts have been absolutely abysmal with the store bought patterns fitting me poorly. Time to try to make my own bodice block , thank you
"Sooo you're gonna just... be afraid." 😅 Thank you for sharing your knowledge
Thank you for showing this. I just picked up one of the butterick patterns that was pretty much a block and now I can use your video to help modify it for myself and also for my oldest child
THANK YOU! This is exactly what I needed! You've made a daunting task actually approachable. You truly have a gift for explaining these things to get to the best fit.
Thank you!
I loved seeing how you were able to wrangle this bodice into a block! I really like the pinning seams/darts instead of sewing idea!! I've watched a couple of your other videos and will be returning for more. Thanks!!
THANK YOU!! I just purchased a secondhand mannequin with THIS plan in mind but I didn’t know what it was called!! Never had any luck with set patterns. So excited!!
Hi. from England. Thank you for doing this video. Yes, there are plenty of other videos on the subject but I like the way that you explain things.
Thank you Christine!
Working my Block! Thank you for showing how to transfer the muslin changes. I needed that!
Well, I did it and it worked wonderfully! Now I have to find YT videos on how to use it to create stuff. Thank you for the excellent tutorial and funny comments. I watched many of these bodice block videos and your video was by far the BEST! Love all your videos.
Thank you!! And good work!!! ✨
Bravo! If you encourage even a dozen or more sewists to develop their custom blocks your effort will have moved the hobby forward. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Your videos have help me to be a better sewer. We have been in lockdown here in Sydney for the last 4 weeks and I have spent this time trying the perfect my bodice block. It has been so helpful to see that it can take longer to achieve the perfect fit . This video could not have come at a better time as I was about to give up. Thank you so much. 🥰🥰
i'm also in Sydney and doing the exact same thing! 😍
Thank you so much Carmen ❤
YOUR AMAZING!!! Thank you so much for getting back with me so quickly. I am learning so much, you're an amazing teacher and illustrator.
Thank you Diana!
Really love how you show everything you do! Invaluable for a sewing noob like me. Thank you!
Honestly I think just getting the green light on what you should/ shouldn’t, can/ can’t in this process is what I really get out of a video like this. Knowing that these mishaps or mistakes or variations are supposed to occur is so comforting to watch play out in real life. I tried making my own sloper from measurements and the bust was too high. I think I’ll revisit it with a bodice block pattern like you just demonstrated and see how that goes. Thanks again!
Is sloper an American term for a toile which we use over here in UK?
@@carolynellis387 I’m not sure. I’ve heard the term but I’m not an expert in UK terms to say what it means. I understand a sloper to be the base pattern tailored to your measurements onto which you make changes to arrive at a new design. I think sloper and bodice block are interchangeable terms, but I’m going off of what I’ve heard on UA-cam. I always thought a toile was like a muslin (which is also confusing), which is when you attempt a pattern using “practice” fabric before using the better fabric intended for that garment. I hope that helps, but maybe you can teach me what a toile is? 😊
@craftynekoLM thanks for replying and for your explanation
I was confused by terms but your explanation made me understand what sloper is
Yes, you're right a Toile is muslin/calico actually made up of the pattern as far as I understand, fitted with measurements obviously from a sloper(!)
Then, as I'm a complete amateur in this, taken off dummy or person, and readjusted?
@@carolynellis387 Yes, that’s my understanding of it too. The toile/ muslin comes after the sloper is adjusted into the pattern I want. The toile/ sloper process can take a long time if you keep needing to adjust and tweak it to fit you 😅. Thank you for writing back as well and confirming what I thought a toile was. That was very kind 😊.
@craftynekoLM well at least we've cracked that definition
I'm in UK, Bianca really puts things in perspective sewing wise.
I can tell she's loads of experience and common sense with her subject
I like the way you think.
Appreciate this video and all the information you supplied in the description.
Learning so many things! But one of the really satisfying ones was that I'm not the only introvert who would never have a 'sewing/fitting buddy'. Still think you and I are friends... from afar. Looking forward to learning more from you!
I recently bought this same pattern, so I’m very happy to have this video walk-through of how the whole process will work. Thank you!
My God !!! This is an AWESOME video. I am headed right now to the playlist you created. Thank you so much for all the instruction. You're degree has served you (and me, Haaaa) very well indeed.
Just looking at ordering a shell pattern so this was right on time! Thanks Bianca
I did watch this when you first posted it, but I'll definitely be rewatching over and over as I fit my own patterns. Thank you Bianca xo
Really love your delivery. Thanks so much for your clearly spoken and explained clip. I'm an industrial machinist who makes gymnastics crash mats by day, but really wants to learn to make fitted clothing.
I am beyond appreciative for these tutorials! I think with all my modifications I always have to do, it will be self-drafted for the win!
I came across this video in search of a "pattern drafting course for beginners" video. I have this same pattern that I purchased for a fitting class on Craftsy years ago to alter it to fit my body. I did a few muslins but I have many fit issues that I could't perfect such as tilted pelvis/hips, sway back, smaller than standard arm scye, and a "few extra inches" in the mid-section. My biggest fit isue with ready to wear pants is the inseam is never long enough and I;m not tall, I'm 5'5 but they always sag in the crotch. A few years and some extra weight later, I am inspired to pull this pattern back out and give it another try with this video. I haven't watched the full video yet but I intend to watch ALL of your videos. I wish you could come over and help me when I get stuck, but I will search all your other videos for an answer or post my question for you or the followers to chime in. Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge.
This was so incredibly helpful. And perfectly timed for me to find. I have about 6 weeks off this summer before the fall semester begins and the craziness ensues. I just finished a 2-dart and princess block pattern thanks to you! I can’t wait to see what I can create before school starts back up (for my kids AND for me 😂).
You’ve just increased my understanding of the process ten-fold. Thank you!
Thank you Kathryn!
I'm putting off watching the from scratch video because I need to take the time and actually do it. But this, this is just hanging out with my sewing friend and maybe something interesting or useful happens to click. Thanks!
That was very helpful! Thank you for showing the steps for fitting. Seeing what you were looking at and how you adjusted and then transferred the results to a new paper version was exactly the parts I was struggling to understand on my own.
I own the Vogue fitting shell pattern. I took it out of the envelope, cut out the bodice and sleeve pieces. Then I started separating the instruction pages, got frustrated. Tried to make sense out of all of that, got a horrible headache then politely folded up the pieces put them back in the envelope and put it away to work on later.
That was more than a year ago. This is helping more in the first half hour. Thanks!
Your tutorials are always packed with so much helpful info & tips! Thanks, as always, for sharing your process !
Thank you Diana!
Very Helpful information. I'm glad you shared how many muslins you made to get it right. I keep thinking I'm being dense for needing so many.
Thankyou for taking the time to share your knowledge. I received my second hand shell pattern from ebay yesterday. Today I started following your instructions. Start stop , reverse ,fast forward. I even got hubby to connect my iPad to the tv in my sewing room to see more detail. I’m feeling confident after I’ve just cut muslin no 1. Tomorrow I’ll try it on . Fingers crossed
I need to get around to doing my proper block adjustment. I have the same fitting shell pattern in my stash.
Thank you for imparting some of the 'Tribal Wisdom'. Every teacher can give you something new.
At this point in my life, I can design and fit for my own body with my eyes shut. But I cannot always do so for another person. I think I am going to buy one of these fitting patterns to fit to my sister, and one for my daughter-in-law.
Have had the Vogue sloper pattern for years now …. After your video: I’m ready to whip that puppy out & get to work! Thanks for the inspiration!
I've been wanting to make my own blocks, so I'm grateful for your videos on how to do them. I think I might have to steal mom from her sewing for a weekend to give a hand with the fitting.
Thank you so much Bianca. I never found anyone with my same bodytype (very similar to yours) and so I couldn't figure out how to fix the problems I had. So thank you again for showing all the complete process and the explanation for the fixes you made.
:))
My classes are from so long ago and my shape have change quite a bit… thank you so much for the reminder
Very informative! Thank you so much. While I'm not a beginner, I've never drafted a sloper for myself but have wanted to for a while.
It's certainly worth a try!
I’m so making this! Who doesn’t want to be comfy and fabulous!
This was so amazingly helpful in demystifying a place to start and some of the basic techniques. Thank you for this.
Thank you Crystil!
Saved to watch again later with the idea that I might actually put this to use at some point. Great tutorial!
Thank you!
Very novice sewer. Thanks for sharing all this information... never heard of a block patter until today and it makes a lot of sense!
Wow, this was so helpful! I can not thank you enough for your detailed description, you're an awesome teacher!
Thank you Cheryl!
Thank you for sharing your experience, knowledge and talents. 💚
I recently bought Winifred Aldrich’s pattern making book, and I was so disheartened by the first bodice draft I made that I gave up. I hadn’t even considered that I could just pin it, instead of sewing. I’ll revisit it as soon as I finish the video. So thanks! This was really helpful.
Update: I’ve made three versions, and I’m starting to like the fit! In the next version, I’ll slash and spread to move one of the darts, and then I’ll be ready to sew the first version.
thank you so much for this, I just finished drafting a block from my measurement and couldn't for the life of me figure out what to do with my weird upper armpit dart. As someone with a similar curvy body shape, this is so helpful!
This is fantastic. Thank you. I have watched 2 others but things that confused me before, finally clicked with your video. Thank you
Thank you!
I am just now discovering your videos. I love your delivery and the way you talk through things. Thank you for sharing with us your talents and skills ❤
Thank you Jenna!
Brilliant! Thanks for letting us know it’s NOT one and done.
Your eyeshadow is GORGEOUS!
Thank you! JDGlow, the shade is called 365 www.jdglowcosmetics.com/collections/galaxy-eyeshadows/products/copy-of-anomaly-galaxy-1 They make the best shimmers!
Thank you so much. I have struggled trying to take up a pattern that just doesn't fit. This makes so much sense to me to have my own measured pattern.
this is so helpful!!! also, i was thinking "her highlighter looks so good!!!" and 3 seconds later you mentioned it and i found myself laughing alone hahaha
Ha! Thank you!