[belindarama]

I need some advice and reassurance please!

I have recently returned to sewing after a 10 year hiatus. After some successful little girls' dresses I want to make something for myself.

I have a Lisette pattern and according to the measurements I need to make a 14, euro size 40. I am a pretty small person. I vary between a 6 and an 8, occassional 10, in ready to wear stuff.

I feel a bit uncertain and don't want to start cutting it out if it is wrong. Does that sound right?

It could be a blessing in disguise as I picked up the larger size pattern by accident, 14 is the smallest in the pattern I bought so it would save me having to buy a new one.

Thanks.

[Bathsheba52]

Most patterns err on the generous size - after all, you can take things in, but not let them out, once the fabric is cut. So by all means cut it according to the pattern size you've worked out, but be prepared for major alternations.

Do you know the site patternreview.com? You could search the pattern there and see if anyone has any handy hints.

[Schmig]

Patterns vary a lot from brand to brand. Go by the measurements for the size compared to your measurements. Don't worry about what size it says. I think last time I did a lissette I was a bigger size than the clothes size I normally wear.

[YodaTheWrinkledO...]

I just made up a skirt from a pattern and made it a size bigger than I normally wear, although the pattern measurements indicated that I should have gone up 2 sizes. The pattern measurements were right - I had to let out the side seams to the max to eventually get it to fit.

Can always make it smaller, can't always make it bigger.

This post has been edited by YodaTheWrinkledOne: 06/12/2012, 08:49 AM