your
SEWING
GUIDE
86(^) sewmag.co.uk
Only two pattern pieces are required
for this pretty dress
Get to grips with the
dressmaking basics!
Editor, Jennifer Ward
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Art Director, Phil Dunham
Designers
Gemma Eales, Cat Morton
& Fiona Palmer
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Photography
CliQQ Photography, cliqq.co.uk
Models
Kirsty R (cover), Jennifer Bird, BMA models,
Katie B, Gingersnap, Lauren McAvoy, @Nevs,
Archie Barber-Riley
Stylist, Boo Hill
Hair and Makeup, Dottie Monaghan
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Published By
Aceville Publications Ltd
21-23 Phoenix Court,
Hawkins Road, Colchester,
Essex CO2 8JY
© Aceville Publications Ltd. 2017
All projects from this issue and the FREE online patterns are for
personal home use only and cannot be sold or used for commercial
purposes. All patterns that are featured in Sew are reproduced in
good faith that they do not infringe any copyright. The publishers
are not responsible for any safety issues arising from any items
created from projects contained within Sew magazine. While all
possible care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of all projects,
we are not responsible for printing errors or the way in which
individual work varies. Please read instructions carefully before
starting construction.
who does what...
THE PERFECT FIT
The key to successful fitting
is taking accurate body
measurements to ensure you
get the right size for you. Pattern
sizes aren’t the same as high
street clothing sizes, so don’t
be tempted to skip this stage.
Once you’ve taken your
measurements, compare them
to those on the pattern envelope.
You can then make any alterations
that are necessary.
Cut out the tissue paper
according to the size closest to
the measurements you have
selected, choosing the best fit
(for dresses, blouses and jackets)
in the bust and shoulder, as this
area is harder to adjust. If your
waist or hip measurements are
out of proportion according to the
standard pattern size, then simply
graduate in or out to reach
the relevant waist or hip lines
to your size.
l Measure yourself in your
underwear, preferably in the
bra you will be wearing.
l Use a new tape
measure as they can distort
out of shape over time.
l Ask a friend to help
you, especially with tricky
measurements such as your
back-neck to waist, and height.
l Be honest with your
measurements and remember
that pattern sizes are totally
different to ready-to-wear
high street sizing.
l Use your measurements
to help you adjust the pattern
to fit your shape, not forgetting
to take the required amount of
ease into account.
HIGH BUST
FULL BUST
WAIST
HIPS
TAKING YOUR
MEASUREMENTS
Measure while wearing the usual
underwear you will be wearing and
hold the tape measure comfortably
snug, but avoid pulling tight.
HEIGHT Standing against a flat wall without
shoes, measure from the floor to the top of
your head.
HIGH BUST Measure directly under the arms,
straight across the back and above the bust.
FULL BUST Take the tape measure around
the fullest part of your bust and straight
across the back.
WAIST Tie a length of narrow elastic around
the waist and let it settle naturally at your
waistline, then measure over the elastic.
Keep the elastic handy for future garments.
HIPS Measure around the body at the fullest
part. This is usually 18-23cm below the waist.