Looking for a pattern.

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  • Hello, everyone.

    I didn't quite want to make a thread on here since this seems like an issue I should be able to solve myself easily, but I can't and it's making me crazy.

    I found [url="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/vintagepatterns/images/2/26/CCF04102013_00012.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20130411194110"]this pattern[/url], which is perfect for a cosplay I want to make - that black dress looks exactly like what I want.

    I can't find this particular pattern anywhere, but I thought I'd be able to find a similar pattern without too much difficulty. However I'm just not sure what to search for. I'm really rubbish at modifying patterns, though I don't mind making the skirt narrower if necessary (just no important seams, so to speak).

    Any ideas? I'm in Sweden, so if it's a physical copy they'd need to ship worldwide.

  • Well, it's a vintage pattern (literally) but a seamed sheath dress like that is not exactly an unusual shape. Even if the original pattern in the photo is from the 1950s or 60s, those kinds of dresses have never really gone out of style.

    The odds of finding that actual pattern even on an out-of-print seller's inventory or eBay is...slim to none. Your odds will be much better if you find a similar pattern from a much more recent decade, whether it's out-of-print or not. Search terms like sheath dress, I've seen the same seams and shaping in 90's/2000's bridesmaid or formal dresses from Simplicity and McCalls. Even Vogue, which is international.

    At the same time, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if there isn't an in-print pattern of the same design right now. My roommate was looking for something similar seam-wise for a Morticia and we ended up having to mod something with much more skirt flare.

  • Simplicity has this sheathe dress that is almost exact. They also offer printable patterns, so you wouldn't have to worry about shipping
    [url]http://www.simplicity.com/simplicity-pattern-8345-plus-size-dress-top-and-skirt-by-ashley-nell-tipton/S8345.html[/url]

  • [QUOTE=CapsuleCorp;5062904]Well, it's a vintage pattern (literally) but a seamed sheath dress like that is not exactly an unusual shape. Even if the original pattern in the photo is from the 1950s or 60s, those kinds of dresses have never really gone out of style.[/QUOTE]
    I know! While I didn't think I'd be able to find this exact pattern (1960s), I at least thought I'd be able to find something similar and it was so frustrating that I couldn't. But now I know it's called a sheath dress. That should make things easier, thanks :)

    [QUOTE=DlGlT;5062906]Simplicity has this sheathe dress that is almost exact. They also offer printable patterns, so you wouldn't have to worry about shipping
    [url]http://www.simplicity.com/simplicity-pattern-8345-plus-size-dress-top-and-skirt-by-ashley-nell-tipton/S8345.html[/url][/QUOTE]
    Holy moly, that's almost perfect! It does only seem to come in plus sizes, and I'm about two-three sizes smaller than the smallest size on the pattern. Is it just a matter of making it smaller by tracing a new line inside it, or would it be tricker than that (i.e different shapes altogether)?

  • The 'average' size will have a different pattern number, but it's very rare that they produce a plus size without a corresponding average one. (usually they produce the average, then look at them to determine which ones can be scaled up for plus sizes best). Just keep looking.

  • Whoops didn't notice the sizing. Here's a few other options if your bust is smaller than 40"
    [url]http://www.simplicity.com/pattern-8163-misses-and-plus-amazing-fit-special-occasion-dress/8163.html[/url]
    [url]https://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7050[/url]
    [url]https://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6893[/url]
    [url]https://butterick.mccall.com/b6453[/url]
    [url]https://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7161[/url]

    Ebay and etsy are great places to find patterns if you don't have a local shop that carries them.