Need Assistance

[Lady Kaalyn]

I am so so sewer and am looking for an easy project to get me started.  I have made a peasant blouse to go under my corsett but am looking for something a bit more creative.  Can anyone recommend a simple plus size pattern that would be a good starting point and easy to make.  Or if any of you sewers near Dallas are willing to give me a basic lesson in sewing I would greatly appreciate it. 



Thanks

[Dinobabe]

You can never have too many bloomers (or harem pants is this case)!
Choose a double sided fabric and you have two pants for the sew of one.

http://www.simplicity.com/p-2230-costumes.aspx

[isabelladangelo]

Petticoats or skirts are always necessary and super simple.  Just take 4 yards of fabric.  Cut off a 3" strip from one end so you get a 3" x 45" strip.   That strip is now your waistband.  Pleat the rest of the fabric to the waistband, sew up the one seam to the point you can still get in it (typically 8" from the top) and you have...a skirt!

[gem]

Well met, Kaelyn!

Can you tell us a little more about the sorts of things you're interested in making--what you have in mind that might be "more creative" than what you've already made?

Isabella's suggestion of a skirt is really good, and last season my favorite new ensemble was "just" a skirt and smock to go with my corset, but it looks like this. You can get pretty creative with good fabric and embellishment! I made this particular skirt by cartridge pleating 4 yards of black linen to a waistband (similar to the method Isabella describes), but since you're a new seamstress, you might benefit from working with a pattern. (I think it's good to be able to do both.) Did your peasant blouse pattern come with a skirt, too? My favorite skirt pattern is out of print now, but something like Simplicity 3623 has a number of basic pieces you can work with.

Hats and bags make quick projects that don't require any fitting, and you can play with fabric and embellishments. We have a thread right now for easy, quick projects here; there might be some ideas you can use!

[GryffinSong]

I LOVE harem pants. Haven't made any yet, but they're definitely on my to-do list. I'm thinking that if they're worn with a simple Turkish coat (also fairly easy to make I think) it makes a nice change from the typical outfit.

[Wickedvox]

Greetings Lady Kaalyn! All of the suggestions are good ones. I particularly back Isabella's skirt idea. Also, aprons are just a rectangle with a waist tie! If you're looking for head wear, cauls are just a circle with a band.

I made the Simplicity 2230 as a beginner and it is *so* super easy. You'll want to make ten pair! You can shorten them if you like. Also, the skirt for that pattern is easy, but uses a lot of material--not good if you're on a tight budget. The blouse is also easy and *very* comfortable.

There is always confusion and frustration when starting out, so don't hesitate to ask. Everyone here is *very* generous with tips, tricks, and helpful advice.  And probably all of us have made any of the big three costume patterns!  Good luck! And pics! We want pics!

[GryffinSong]

A search on simplicity 2230 brings up a blouse for me ... any pointer to the exact pattern you're talking about? I'm in a similar boat to Lady Kaalyn, although I know how to sew. I'm wanting simple ideas to get my garb closet started, so am following this discussion closely.

[gem]

I think this is the pattern they mean:

http://www.simplicity.com/p-2230-costumes.aspx

The link says 2230 (I don't know why!), but the actual pattern number is 5359.

HTH!

[GryffinSong]

I think this is the pattern they mean:

http://www.simplicity.com/p-2230-costumes.aspx

The link says 2230 (I don't know why!), but the actual pattern number is 5359.

HTH!

Awesome. Will pick it up next time I'm out. Thanks.

[Butch]

The 4059 doublet is pretty easy for mens garb, if you wanna experiment for someone else!

[GryffinSong]

The 4059 doublet is pretty easy for mens garb, if you wanna experiment for someone else!

Ooh, I like that. I might make it for myself, for days when I want to be an archer in the SCA. I'm told there were a fair number of women who dressed like men, so gender doesn't necessarily have to match outfit. Might be fun to adapt that for steampunk events too. I'm going to a steampunk ball to benefit Multiple Sclerosis research, which has me learning about that kind of costuming. Not sure its my thing, but I have several people in my life with MS, so I may attend this ball annually. Will need garb.

edited to add: Joann Fabrics is having a sale from February 15-18. Their Simplicity patterns will be 5 for $5 ... a good time to stock up.

[gem]

A lot of us here--me included!--have made S4059. It is a great pattern. If I make the doublet again, I will flatline it with canvas. The one I made my FIL last summer looks nice, but I wish it had the solidity of the garb I've made myself.

That said, I'd think twice before trying any of the pieces *for myself* again. It's very much drafted for a male body, and even sizing all the way down to the XS, I still had significant size issues with the shirt (my embroidered smock). For reference, I generally take a pattern size 12-14 in the Big 4, so I'm not really an extra small person! YMMV, but some of the things to look out for when adapting men's patterns: Length of sleeves, width of shoulders, room in the hips, scale of details like collars/cuffs/etc. At a huge generalization, if you find that men's ready-to-wear mundane clothing fits you OK, then you might have good luck with a men's (or unisex) pattern.

All that aside, though, I am DELIGHTED with the pieces I've made from that pattern; they gave *exactly* the results I was looking for--which is saying a lot!

***
Kaalyn, are you still with us? Are we giving you any information or ideas you can use? Looking back at your first post, I see that you did ask about plus-size patterns... which is an area I'm afraid I don't know a lot about at the moment. I know we've had a few threads in the past about that, though, so I will see what I can dig up!

[GryffinSong]

...If I make the doublet again, I will flatline it with canvas...

What does "flatline" mean? Thanks.

[Lady Kaalyn]

yes I'm still with you.  I have simplicity 2596 and 3809.  I don't remember which one but i love the blouse pattern in it, I have made a white blouse from it and frankinpatterned it to a chemise.  I find my issue is I start a pattern that's not so simple and then get so confused on what to do next.  I can make a basic skirt and shirt and have done so many times...  I will have to post some what i have done.   but I would like to move on to a bit more complex things like a basic corset. 

[skitter]

I'm in Dallas, and could probably help you muddle through . . . I'm also interested in making a corset!  I'm considering taking a class, actually (but the minimum number of students for it is 2, and I can't convince my one other sewing friend to take it with me).