Slopers?

[Darny]

Anyone here design their own kids clothes, and if so have you gone as far as making slopers for them?
I'm sick of "hacking" patterns so they actually FIT A as he's not a standard size (I had to do the same for my older 3 too - lucky L is a very standard size) and wondering if I made a sloper if it would make it easier - I never follow standard patterns these days anyway so it's not like I would have to worry about that, show me a pattern and I'll show you all the changes I'd make
I never knew anything about pattern drafting way back, but I'm getting quite interested in it now....... another hobby

[Claire]

sorry I have no idea what that is! Maybe ask on pattern review?

[Darny]

LOL, yeah, I just thought with the number of crafty people here there might be someone who did.
A sloper is basically a base pattern without any seam allowances which you use to make all your patterns from, so you get the exact measurements of the person you are making for, draft out something which would fit, then use that to make a pattern you can sew up.
I'm still reading up/ figuring bits out, but it sounds like it'd be useful for Mr non standard size... I just dunno if it's worth all the work

[mamacas]

the 'tecnical' term is ' a Block' i used to have them in my size (pre children ) from when i did my design deploma 12 years ago.

have never bothered to do them for the kids as they grow to fast

i use the 'draping' method now as its quicker but it does take patance and there are more mastakes

[Lilly]

I've read all about how to do it, but I can't see myself ever getting the time to do it anytime soon It would be nice to try one day!

[Petals]

Yeah by the time I had finished drawing it then it wouldn't fit any more, they grow so fast at the moment. For me, I make everything for the eldest and if it doesn't fit then there are another two to try. How lazy am I?

[Darny]

Yeah draping just sounds like a recipe for mistakes with my kids
I might give it a go and see if it's worth it - I used to just take a basic Kwik Sew pattern and adjust it, but I've found A needs so much adjustment for some items I might have well drawn the darn pattern from scratch!
(Finding time will be the challenge yes )

[sjl]

I've never made a sloper for children's clothing as G seems to fit stuff pretty well but I used to have adult slopers when I was having a go at designing stuff for myself.
I'd just give it a go and see how it works for you. I guess what I'd be wary of is the amount of time it takes to get them right, although children have less curves (generally speaking!)so they may not be as complicated.
The lovely Modern Pattern Design book (Harriet Pepin, 1942) has a section on Children's clothing, including drafting children's slopers. It' available free online at http://vintagesewing.info/1940s/42-mpd/mpd-12.html.
(one of my favourite sites!)

[shorty]

There are a couple of books at the Te awamutu Library on pattern drafting. One is on childrens clothes and it is brilliant- goes through all the measurements to take to make slopers/blocks and adjustments needed to make diff styles. Cant remember who its by but can find out if you need more info. If I had time to get into that I would definitely think about buying it.

[Darny]

Yes please on author and title shorty, that'd be really helpful.
I'm reading the vintage site now, really interesting and not that hard in reality

[sjl]

Also if you want something more modern then this is the other one I remembered at some odd hour this morning.
Metric Pattern Cutting for Children's Wear and Babywear By Winifred Aldrich
http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=-viD ... gn&f=false

I think there is also a Children's Pattern Book by Natalie Bray - I used her Dress Pattern Designing Book when I was trying to teach myself.

I'll be interested to see how you get on.

[Kieransmum]

http://www.ikatbag.com/2010/07/drafting-part-i-overview.html
Is this any good for you?

[Darny]

yup read the whole ikat bag tutorial, love her blog.
I really want a book, I like hardcopy, I find screens annoying to read lots of info from

[shorty]

Metric Pattern Cutting for Children's Wear and Babywear By Winifred Aldrich
http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=-viD ... gn&f=false

Thats the one i was thinking about that is in the library

[Darny]

Sweet, I'll have to check if our local library has it, looks awesome