Choosing a pattern can be fun especially if you have already done your homework and know what is in and what will never go out, such as the little black dress. You can find a wide variety of dress patterns online or at your local fabric store. When you have the dress design in mind, pattern books can offer an interesting amount of variations of the particular basic design.
The skirt part of a dress may appeal to you more on one pattern then the next and the bodice may appeal to you more or sleeve style, neck line, etc. You can take these different aspects of a dress, incorporate them into one, and create your own design/pattern. When looking at a variety of patterns, keep a pencil and some paper handy to jot down pattern numbers and ideas to make it easier for you when you are ready to commit. Often times, out of date pattern books can be picked up at fabric stores for a very little price if not free. This is a great way to start a library of different ideas.
Dressmaking patterns are full of various figure types. Figure types are grouped according to height and proportion and based off two main measurements –height, and neck to waist length. Choose your pattern(s) to suit your figure type. Too find your figure type stand in front of a mirror in just your under garments that would typically be worn under your dress. Take your measurements of bust, waist, and hips. Get someone to help you take your measurements of height and neck to waist length.
Neck to waist length should be taken from your backside for best fitting bodice. Compare these measurements with that of a size chart. For example, if your bust measured 36 inches, waist 27 inches, and hips measured 38 inches you would be looking at a dress size of woman’s 14. Choose your pattern sizes accordingly. When your measurements fall between two categorized sizes, always choose the larger size of the two. That leaves you room for making alterations to make your garment fit you perfectly.
