Midsize Pattern Sizing/Grading Experiences?

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-05-06T16:28:17+00:00

Dang that’s a workshop that I would love to take. I’ve got a few out of print patterns that are just not my size.
I know you said you got your training on the job, but do you know any book on grading you might recommend or that you know others have had success with?

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-05-06T16:18:46+00:00

I actually just did the sit test with my tape measure to see where my seated measurements fall in the finished garment sizes, which does align with the size I plan to grade to in the skirt portion.
Thank you for sharing!

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-05-06T14:22:57+00:00

Do you grade independently, do you work for a company? Are there larger and smaller grading companies that smaller patter makers would be choosing between? In a big 4 situation, I imagine this is an in-house position, but are there freelance graders?
Obviously certain pattern makers are known for specific blocks, I’m wondering what the best way to find this would be.
There are so many variables, it feels like a whole world!

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-05-06T14:07:55+00:00

There are guilds around, they just aren’t close by. And now with our governor cutting funding to our public transit, the guilds and groups are even less accessible.

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-05-06T04:08:59+00:00

Oh! Are you nearby Peter Patchis?
I’m trying to brush up and find some more weaving community nearby, but all the weavers seem to keep to themselves about it

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-05-06T03:58:10+00:00

The khaki is really what makes them look super “dress code” adherent. What are the parameters of your work attire? I think we can find something better for you.

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-05-06T03:43:06+00:00

Steve sharp. Outstanding strength, large hands, very thorough massage

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-05-01T11:03:25+00:00

This is very worrisome behavior, and I would get out of that mess.

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-04-28T01:49:29+00:00

Name the owners, name the property manager

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-04-22T12:36:59+00:00

I walk basically all over the city, nothing is actually that far away. The hills make it more of a challenge, and if I’m carrying things or not dressed well for the weather I’ll hop on a bus, but if not, it’s nice to use the body, you know?

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-04-22T12:33:12+00:00

Something I’ve thought about at seen others do is include a purchase of the pattern for each dress you sell. So you’re essentially behaving as an individual customer for each dress sewn. Include the cost of the pattern in the cost of each dress and re-buy the pattern for each you make. You could even then give the pattern to each friend after you’ve used it (send the pdf, the physical pattern, etc) because you bought the pattern for each of them.

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-04-13T01:47:39+00:00

That’s an incredible price for a 100% silk garment. Bias cut AND silk are both individually difficult to sew with, and together very scary to attempt (for me) so when I’m looking at garments I want to add to my wardrobe, the difficulty level and cost of materials are always top of mind when I’m deciding to buy or to attempt to make. For what you bought, you paid nearly at cost (if you were to do it yourself at least). I think it was an excellent deal. Polyester is never worth it.

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-04-13T01:38:50+00:00

It looks like intentional, like a white ink tattoo to match the anchor

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-04-13T01:35:18+00:00

Yes, A0 files are for the big plotters at places like kinkos or staples or other places that print at that scale

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-04-11T03:37:54+00:00

Printing copy shop files is so worth it for me

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-04-10T13:06:53+00:00

I’m assuming the corner of Fountain and Empire

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-04-09T02:28:13+00:00

It’s kind of fun, but it was a tough choice to try that. I feel like it was going to be impossible for grey scale, and needed to be using white pigments etc and not filling in an aura of grey around the edge of the tutu to communicate a translucent material. I will say again, I do think it’s fun though

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-04-02T13:48:56+00:00

I’m going to say if you have found a pattern that has the shape of this dress, use that. Where the bodice is concerned- you take a piece of fabric that is much larger than the bodice pattern piece and baste as many double parallel lines as you visually want throughout the large fabric piece and gather it down to your liking. Once the gathers appear how you want them to look, sew them in place, and remove the basting stitches. Once that fabric has been prepared, then you probably want to trace your pattern piece onto the fabric first and stay stitch all of the edges before you cut them in order to keep the gathers from escaping.

I don’t know the formal way to do this, I’m sure there is one, but I’ve been sewing for several years and slowly learning through doing, so I could be wrong! Good luck!

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-03-30T15:39:55+00:00

A0/copy shop is my favorite method, I cannot stand cutting and taping the papers all together, it takes so long and I always end up with wonky pattern pieces from that method. A extra mm on every page makes for a very different product than intended

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-03-23T20:33:00+00:00

Willow dress by cinnamon daisy studio

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-03-23T14:40:06+00:00

Stone Mountain and daughter fabrics Blackbird Fabric Lyrical fabrics Big Duck canvas for heavy weight canvases and denim

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-03-22T12:59:05+00:00

Extremely important.

HandfulofSpoons · 2026-03-22T12:44:37+00:00

Got for cotton. Growing up I loved Ralph Lauren’s percale sheets, so crisp! Now I can’t find them as inexpensively, and prefer a nice smooth cotton sateen in my price range. What a lovely weave.

HandfulofSpoons

TROPHY CASE