Hourglass Patterns©: Taping printed pattern together.

It does not happen often, but occasionally a customer will say that a pattern is not aligning correctly.  Here are some common things to look for:

• Did you print the correct pattern for your printer?  Some patterns are formatted for USA paper and others for A4 paper.  If you do not print the correct format it will not line up.  All my pattern covers are color coded with the paper version.
• Did you Print at 100%?  It will never align without the correct print settings.  
  
  
  
• "There's a gap of missing print between the connection keys."  Yes....this is how it's designed so you don't have to overlap pages to put the pattern together.  My objective here was to give you a pattern that can be assembled quickly and can be stored easily.  
• The paper was not placed in the printer neatly.   This will cause some misalignment.
• Did you measure the connection box?  Did it measure 1"x1"?  If it did not, then the pattern will not go together as designed. New patterns have a 2"x2" box, this is denoted on the 1st page of all my patterns.
• It's also important to note that some of my patterns have sizes 4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26,28.  That's 13 sizes on one pattern!  It's best to trace out the pattern with a contrasting ink color so you can easily see the size.  With all those lines intersecting, it can get confusing.  This ensures you make not mistakes and you're cutting out the correct size.  Plus you will be filling in the non printable area simply by tracing out the pattern.  My new patterns are graded from XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL (7 sizes).

1st page of my patterns:  

This is how all my new patterns look on the 1st page.  Before you print all pages, which for some of my patterns can be as many as 30 pages, I suggest you print just page 1 and 2 and tape them together by abutting the edges.  Now follow the directions and measure the connection key, which is a 1" x 1" box.  This must measure 1" x 1".  Newer Patterns will have a 2" x 2" box. 

1"x1" box or 2"x 2" box.  Check the pattern.

2"x 2" box

Here's an actual pattern after taping it together.  The box measures 1" x 1" and I'm showing you how the pattern will have a "non printable gap".  

Hourglass Patterns©: Balaclava Pattern XS-XL

 I'm finally back from a long break.  Covid has affected my family deeply with the death of my beloved brother.  Grief had sapped me of all my energy.  But I realized quickly that I needed focus on my creative outlet to get me out of my slump.  So I started the new year doing alot of small projects to get me back to work.  I've regraded 3 of my patterns:  Turtle Tunic, V Neck Dolman, and Drape Neck Top.  These are now available in Sizes 4-28 (my new standard sizing)  And I finally completed my balaclava pattern, which is now available on ETSY:  Hourglass Patterns: Balaclava XS-XL.  I now have a Balaclava II:  Balaclava II XS-XL

Please stay safe, and if your family has been affected by covid, please know that you're not alone in your grief.  I share your pain everyday. 

Hourglass Patterns© Learning: Full Tummy Adjustment for a Skirt

Here's a pictorial of a Full Tummy Adjustment for a Skirt. You will need to adjust the pattern to add a little height to the Front. When you have a prominent tummy you need more fabric to cover the Front. You will need to make a sloper to ensure your adjustments are correct. Also pay attention to the side seams. They must divide the body to give good visual balance....so they should hang straight down perpendicular to the floor, dividing the body into two equal sections. Shop my patterns on ETSY:  http://ow.ly/nzFV30jfr8M
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Hourglass Patterns©: Perfect Peplum

Finally got to wear my new perfect peplum top.  Great top if you want to hide a few extra pounds gained during the lockdown.

Hourglass Patterns©: Date Nite Dress

Hourglass Patterns©:  Date Nite Dress

New pattern on my ETSY Store:  https://rb.gy/vwkdna

I finally got to wear my new dress out for dinner last nite.  It felt good to actually get dressed up again.  This dress is made of Double Brushed Poly.  It features waist and back contouring, as well as bust darts.  So simply put you can get a very customized fit from this pattern.

Hourglass Patterns© Learning: Correct Shape for Sewing Any Project with Square Corners

No More Dog Ears....Here's an easy fix:

Do this with all your sewing projects that have square corners.  A small change like this will bring your craft sewing to the next level.  Remove those floppy ears on your pillows and coaster for much better looking products.

Crafting During Quarantine: Using up your fabric remnants

Like everyone else, time on my hands means "clean up" for the sewing room.  This was such a great craft project I decided to make it into a pattern.  It's so easy to make:  2 Pattern Pieces, approx. 6.5" (depending on the thickness of your hair) of 1/4 Elastic, a small amount of fabric and 10-15 minutes.  This is a great way to use up your 100% silk scraps.  I plan on digging into my remnants over the next few weeks and make quite a few for the summer.