How to Shorten a Bodice Pattern

 Get out your ruler and a good sharp pen, pencil, or marker.

Draw two parallel lines, the distance apart being the same distance you would like to shorten the bodice by. Make sure your new lines will be perpendicular to the grain line. In this case, that is center back. How much to shorten? Subtract your actual back waist measurement by the back waist measurement listed on the pattern for the size you are making. If your back waist measures 16" and the pattern is made for 17", then make your parallel lines 1" apart.

Create a fold along the bottom line be folding the pattern under, just temporarily.

 Now unfold and bring that bottom line up to match the top line, creasing the pattern for an exact match.

Pin or tape in place. Notice that the side seam and dart lines now have a jog in them. Those need to be corrected. Place a ruler along this line, matching each end of the ruler with the end points of that line. Draw a NEW cut/sew line. This new line should run between the jags. This is called TRUE, or truing the line. Now alter the front pattern pieces in the same way, shortening in the same location as  the back.

Facebook 500 giveaway and year come and gone

This quick post is to say 

Thank You!

Since reaching 500 "likes" I posted a giveaway. Out of 32 entries, Sandy Beyer of Texas is the winner of a free pattern. Thank you to Sandy and everyone else for entering the giveaway, and thank you for allowing me share with you on Facebook.

This past year has been really eventful with a kick off in February teaching classes at the Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA, at the Rocky Mountain Sewing Expo in Denver, CO, and taping an online class for Craftsy.com called "Flirty Day Dress." I expect this class will have more than 1000 students by the end of the year, most of them international (Thank YOU!).

We've seen the interest in Vintage style grow, adding several new stores and vendors. It's exciting to see them grow and prosper, providing us with the vintage inspired fabrics and specialty products that we want. Please support them as you can.

Next year will be some of the same, and also a few new event. I'll be at the Sewing & Stitchery Expo in February again, with a class and trunk show on combining pattern brands. I'll also be teaching a sewing machine class, sharing some "tricks" and techniques to use with the old timer machines. I'll also be attending a wholesale show and fashion show. I've applied to teach at the American Sewing Guild Conference in St. Louis, MO during the summer, and I'm helping to put together a Sewing and Design Retreat, along with other members of the Independent Pattern Company Alliance (IPCA- see patterncompanies.com) to take place sometime during the year. I will let you know how it all works out, but in the mean time, have a WONDERFUL and safe Holiday!