Patterns, how many do you really need?

I was reading this post on Myrna's blog today, http://blog.myrnagiesbrecht.com/2011/09/i-dont-need-another-pattern.html and it started me thinking, or rather, it crystallised some ideas I've been considering for some time. That is, how many patterns you really need.


I have a lot of patterns but haven't made all that many of them up. I frequently find myself very disappointed when I make a new pattern up because it fits badly, even after I have carefully flat measured and calculated and measured every bit of myself and the pattern. Admittedly, I do have a better success rate with Marfy than with other companies. When I buy a new pattern I am often disappointed to find that, once I get into the envelope, its quite similar to a pattern I already own, and that existing pattern could have been used as a basis for creating the same look, without the endless fitting muslins. I am often put off by the idea that there will be so many muslins... given the amount of time I have available to sew, that I don't buy really current looks because they will be out of fashion by the time I've managed to persuade them to fit. So I actually end up buying variations on the same classic style pattern over and over again.

I am increasingly turning to a small sub-stash of patterns I've altered to fit successfully and trying to use those as a basis for other designs. However, my creative vision and my time available to sew or fiddle with tissue is very limited so the changes are often much less adventurous than they could be. This is not the way to improve skill, wardrobe versatility or to keep one's clothing reasonably current in style.

Nevertheless, I've hung on to lots of patterns that fit poorly but haven't been quite sure why since they weren't being used. Until I read Myrna's post, I hadn't really thought of those patterns as forming part of my research material for new looks but of course they are better than snoop shopping or fashion magazines because I can open the envelope and see the kind of shaped piece I need to be creating from my TNT basics or find out how to create the detailing.

I love all those couture detailing books out there and own several, yet still continue to just churn out items that are within my existing skill set rather than challenging myself to add such details to a well fitting pattern.


In terms of snoop shopping, its arguably the detail that makes the garment, and I see plenty of details that I like but then can't seem to find a way to incorporate them into my garments successfully. I tend to aim low with my "reproducible details" and only try things that I can clearly see how to do. Or can find the notions to achieve. Those lovely couture technique books come into their own at this point, if only I can remember to consult them, and not be intimidated by them.


This sounds like a whine, but it really isn't. I think I have realised that actually, I've been a lazy so and so for quite a while and need to get a bit more creative with the patterns I have, particularly some of the Marfy's that I know fit me. I also need to bite the bullet and make up some muslins for the frankly divine Marfy patterns I bought last year that have superb and unusual details but which have yet to see the light of day. I am thinking particularly of the rather challenging trouser pattern which has fourteen pieces to it. I have a clearer idea of how to alter a Marfy than any other pattern line, so its a good place to start from. But I also need to pay more attention to the details in the shops and train my mind to note them in a useful and constructive way instead of going "ooh, pretty, wish I could afford it/fit into it/had the skill to make it", and then walking away and making yet another straight skirt with a small split at the back, or my fourteenth version of the Burda funnel neck because I can't get up the energy to really think about how to realise the details on the source garment.


Another issue I have is that current in shape and style isn't always what suits me. I mostly choose to ignore current and go for "suits me" because I think I look and feel better if I do that. I rarely challenge myself to try on a different shape or style of item and I should do this more often since how else can I find out what would suit me?

I have concerns that I am starting to make wardrobe choices more suited to a person twenty years older than I am currently. Whilst I don't want to be "mutton dressed as lamb", I don't really want to be "lamb dressed as mutton" either and I am at a bit of a crossroads, age wise. Its difficult to know whether I need to jolt myself out of a rut or whether it isn't a rut but a style decision and one I should stick with because it works for me. I think its the latter, but am not confident of this.

So, Myrna, if you are reading this, thank you for your thoughtful and insightful post, It has given me a lot to think about and I am hoping that as I work through these ideas, my desire to sew, and to alter and amend patterns, will return. But, with the exception of Marfy, I don't plan to buy any more patterns for a while.