Measurements vs Dress Size

I am rather new to sewing and am having a bit of  trouble.  I just found this forum and thought I'd ask my question here.

The first dresses my daughter and I sewed turned out wonderful, BUT we had trouble.  We made them (same patterns, Simplicity)  according to the sizes as listed based on our measurements.  I measured out at a 14 and my daughter at a 12.  When the dresses were done they were massive on us.  We proceeded to rip them apart, cut them down size by size until we got the sizes that actually fit - sizes 6 and 8. 

Now we're starting on some skirts.  I'm not wanting to rip the skirts down again like the dresses, that was a lot of time wasted.  Again, I measured at a size 14 (Butterick).  This skirt has three panels to the front so I can't exactly take the pattern itself and hold it up to my body to see just how big an 8 is vs the 14. 

I have called one friend who suggested I cut the fabric out to size 8, my mom is afraid to advise me for fear of wasting beautiful fabric, I called JoAnn's and they put me on hold then hung up on me after 10 minutes.     I live about 45 minutes from town so swinging by the fabric store is rather out of the question.

Any recommendations would be nice.  Thanks.

Lisa

The finished garment measurements will be printed on the pattern pieces. They almost always have the waist, bust and hips.

Another idea is to check a pattern review site like http://sewing.patternreview.com/
Usually in the reviews, the reviewer mentions if the pattern is true to size, runs big or runs small.

Amy

A suggestion - buy very inexpensive muslim and cut and roughly sew up the skirt (not including hems, elastic waists, zipper, etc) to see how it fits.  I have some saved some old cotton sheets for this very purpose too...to cut them up and use the fabric to try out patterns before using my precious fabric to do so.  ~ Sandra

I just came on here to ask the same question. According to the pattern package I should be a size 14, but normally I wear a size 6-8. Not sure what I'm going to do. ..

alpinemountain, that is true of me, also. I wear a 6-8 in crtw clothing and a 12 in commercial patterns. It's just different.

Good to know! Thanks.

You can also "pin-fit" the pattern - we used to do this in Home Ec when I was a kid. 

Take the pattern pieces and pin them together along the seam lines, like the bodice front and bodice back.  There will only be a half of a bodice, but you can put it on, line up the centers on the center of your front and back and see how it would fit.  This works especially well with multi-sized patterns so you know before you cut!

This may be a little off topic but it does have to do with patterns/measurements.  I worked in a sewing factory for a couple of years and something I learnt is to always try on your clothes before you buy them.  The factory was given a certain number of items to make in each size, but they were usually minus or plus a couple in each size.  So what did they do?  Swap size tags over.  I saw it happen every day.  So that size 12 you can't squeeze into might actually be a size 8 or vice versa!

I've been sewing for over 40 years and patterns have never run "TRUE TO SIZE!!!!!!" I have always been frustrated by that.  Make sure you fit the pattern pieces to you --pinning the front to the back-etc.  Making a mock out of inexpensive fabric is a good idea, especially if the pattern is one you think you will make again. In my experience I have found that Butterick and Simplicity run smaller than McCalls.  I prefer McCalls patterns for better fits.

Thanks so much for all of the tips.

Another suggestion is to overlay a garment that already fits to check fit. 

I find that most of the patterns (Simplicity, Butterick, McCalls) all have more ease in a garment than I generally wear.

I hear you!!  I always have this trouble.  I have been sewing all my life from these patterns, too.  One person mentioned making a "muslin" first.  I usually get whatever fabric is on the clearance to do this because sometimes it is even cheaper than muslin. And I don't worry about finishing edges, etc.  I also suggest reading what the seam allowance is in the pattern.  It should be included in the pattern piece that you cut out, so don't cut extra for seam allowances.  I tend to sew a smaller seam allowance than the pattern suggests and then my whatever is always too big.  I also "alter" as I go by turning it inside out and trying it on, pinning,etc. at various points of the process.  There are some great books (check the library) and even classes on how to properly alter patterns- if you want to go that far.  Maybe at some point.  You can make your own patterns, too.  Search You Tube for how-to's.  Just know that your frustration is not your own doing...everyone feels your pain in this matter : )

I've been sewing most of my life.  Pattern sizes are always off.  My youngest sister wears a 4 or 6 but in pattern sizes is a 10 or 12.  Most of the time I can go by the finished size on the back but I always double check by measuring the pattern pieces.  I also try things on frequently so I can catch any issues before it's all sewn together. 

Patterns really can't be consistent with sizing for RTW clothing, because RTW sizing is constantly changing and varies hugely from one manufacturer to another. Especially recently, RTW clothing manufacturers have been scaling down their numbers. I had been wearing a size 6-8 in pants for a while, and last time I went shopping, the pants that fit me were labeled size 4. I hadn't gotten any smaller! In general, our generation is overweight. The "womens" section, even at Walmart, is at least as extensive as the "normal" sizing. The marketing people know that a woman isn't as likely to buy size 16 clothes as she is to buy size 12 clothes, even if they are the SAME size. That marketing trend has been occurring across the board, in all price ranges.

I think the numbers on the patterns are at least consistent. If you look at the pattern pieces, you will find finished garment measurements for bust, hip and waist. You need to take "ease" into account when looking at those numbers - if your bust is 36" and the finished garment measurement is 36 1/2", the blouse is likely to be uncomfortably snug!