FAQ'S
What’s the difference between retail clothing store sizes and home sewing pattern sizes?
Since there is no standard women’s garment sizing, this is a difficult question to answer. Generally, the home sewing pattern size fits 2 sizes larger than the ready to wear size. For example, if you buy a size 22 in the store, your sewing pattern size will most likely be 26. Best results are obtained by taking your measurements and looking up your size on our measurement chart in the Size and Fit Information section.
Do I order the size by measuring my upper bust measurement? I have small shoulders.
Measure your bust across the fullest point, and sew the size indicated by your full bust measurement. You may be experiencing large shoulders from other patterns and ready to wear garments simply because you are trying to accommodate your full bust. Our patterns come with the full bust adjustment done for you—it will accommodate up to a DD bust and still fit well in the neck line and shoulder line. Sewgrand Patterns are multi-sized, so you have the option of choosing the shoulder size you want, if you truly have small shoulders.
Do I need to sew a size smaller or larger than my body measurements?
With some European drafted patterns they fit too small , and I find a size larger fits me better.
The answer to your question has several factors: the actual body measurements used in drafting, the amount of wearing ease and the amount of design ease in the pattern, and your personal comfort level for how you like your clothes to fit. Each person has a different preference in the amount of ease she is comfortable with. Check the pattern description, as it contains information on how loose or tight the designer intended the garment to be. See the ease chart in the Size and Fit Information section for the numerical equivalents of the various types of ease.
What is ease?
There are two types of ease, wearing ease and design ease. Wearing ease is put in at the time the pattern is drafted. It is extra length or width added onto the body dimensions to take into account the stretchiness (or not) of the fabric. Ease must be added when woven fabrics are used, or you will feel like you are wearing a straight jacket. Ease will be taken away when some knitted fabrics are used, to prevent bagging. Examples are bathing suits and leggings. Design ease is put in to achieve the look the designer intended. For example, a pleated dress has extra ease put in to accommodate the pleats. See ease amounts in Size and Fit Information.
I am 5’11" tall. When are you going to bring out patterns just for us tall people?
Our patterns are "tall-able". All of our patterns have several lengthening/shortening lines, so you can lengthen them. These lines are placed so they do not interfere with design elements, such as side slits, bust darts etc. See What Do I Get When I Buy a Sewgrand Pattern? for a visual description. We will not be bringing patterns out especially for tall or petite people, because the market segments are too small for us to do this—and if we did, we would probably have to charge more to compensate for the lower demand.
I am 4’10". I can never find anything to fit. How can I use your patterns?
See the answer to 5 above.
I’ve always had to have two piece outfits, because I’m a size 24 on top and size 22 on the bottom. How do I wear one of your dresses?
Sewgrand Patterns are multi-sized, so you can sew one size on the top and redraw the lines to accommodate the second size on the bottom. Make sure you choose the correct sleeve size to match the armhole.
I’m a size 28. Can I still use your patterns?
The patterns calling for 2-way stretch knits will fit you, since they call for fabrics with spandex in them. See Online Catalog for Styles 203, 204, 205, 304, 305, 402 and 501. The patterns calling for woven fabrics probably will not fit you, unless they have a large amount of ease in them. See New for Style 504, since the design is very loose fitting.
I have never had any luck sewing pants. What can I expect from yours?
We use a European pants draft—it provides more length in the center back seam. This means you should get a better fit, because the draft accommodates extra length in the thigh and center back waist.
Why do some tops creep up and hit me in the chin?
This is due to one or more causes. They include a fuller than so-called average bust and a rounded upper back. Sewgrand Patterns have included the large bust adjustment and rounded upper back adjustment as a standard in all our tops and dresses calling for woven fabrics. Knits are more forgiving, and more often do not need these adjustments.
When are you going to bring out larger patterns. I am way out of your size range, and can’t find anything nice to wear. Help!
Good news is on the way! After our newest designs are completed, our next new project is development of basic patterns for larger sizes. The research and development is painstaking, so we hope you have patience. We would greatly appreciate feedback from you—which garment categories do you most need? Dresses? Pants? Which styles work best for you? Raglan tops? Big shirts? Gored skirts? Which elements do not work for you? Pockets? Round necklines? Register your input in the Suggestion Box now.
Can I use your 2-way stretch knit patterns for interlock, jersey and other knits?
Most likely no, unless your chosen knit has 100% stretch on the cross-wise grain. If you are confident with your pattern alteration skills, you can use them as a starting point, by making a test garment out of your chosen knit and altering the pattern from there.