Nancy has submitted an excellent report on her apron experience also.
See all the details below.
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I will start with a little background on myself. I am 40 years old and have been sewing on and off for at least 20-25 years. I am self taught and really started to sew a lot when I started my family. I made most of their baby & toddler clothes, Halloween costumes and some of my clothes as well. Now that my children are all grown up I want to start sewing again on a regular basis to make my own wardrobe. I am 5 feet tall, short waisted and a plus size. I have always had trouble finding nice fitting clothes in stores. So that is why I invested in the Lutterloh system hoping I can find patterns that are flattering to my figure, comfortable and fit like a glove. I have always sewn with commercial patterns and the only fitting I have done is basic shortening nothing fancy. I don’t really have any fitting or drafting experience.
When I first heard of the apron sewcial I thought this would be a great way to get my feet wet using the Lutterloh system. I drafted my pattern and figured I didn’t need to test anything out with an apron as it is pretty straight forward there shouldn’t be any fitting issues, WRONG lol. Once I had completed my apron I realized that there was extra material on either side of my bust that wasn’t very flattering. This issue is easily solved with adding a dart to the side of the bust. This would of been easier to accomplish in an earlier stage had I taken the time to check. So this shows that it is important to do a fitting, even for something as simple as an apron!
Another thing I noticed is when I looked at the picture of the pattern I selected I thought there were 3 front pieces. When I looked at the pattern pieces I saw there were only two, so the pictures are not always 100% true to the styling I guess.
They did not include the shoulder straps but that was simple enough to make myself. I just measured the length I needed and cut a strip 10cm wide, stitched it into a tube, turned to the right side and pressed it with the seam in the center back.
The one thing that I did modify on the pattern before cutting out my material was the length. I am only 5 feet tall so the original pattern length came down to at least my mid calf. I wanted it above the knee so I needed to take off quite a bit length wise.
Well let’s just say trying to take a picture of yourself in front of a narrow mirror on a door in a poor lit basement is a challenge. I tried my best but the pictures are not that great.
I can’t wait to see and hear about everyone’s apron project.
This project has given me a basic understanding of how the Lutterloh system works. I do think I need to make the basic vest, a shirt and a pair of pants and test out my fitting skills. Right now they are non-existent so I think I will be online with a lot of questions for everyone. I am looking forward to doing some more sewing in the coming months.
When I first heard of the apron sewcial I thought this would be a great way to get my feet wet using the Lutterloh system. I drafted my pattern and figured I didn’t need to test anything out with an apron as it is pretty straight forward there shouldn’t be any fitting issues, WRONG lol. Once I had completed my apron I realized that there was extra material on either side of my bust that wasn’t very flattering. This issue is easily solved with adding a dart to the side of the bust. This would of been easier to accomplish in an earlier stage had I taken the time to check. So this shows that it is important to do a fitting, even for something as simple as an apron!
Another thing I noticed is when I looked at the picture of the pattern I selected I thought there were 3 front pieces. When I looked at the pattern pieces I saw there were only two, so the pictures are not always 100% true to the styling I guess.
They did not include the shoulder straps but that was simple enough to make myself. I just measured the length I needed and cut a strip 10cm wide, stitched it into a tube, turned to the right side and pressed it with the seam in the center back.
The one thing that I did modify on the pattern before cutting out my material was the length. I am only 5 feet tall so the original pattern length came down to at least my mid calf. I wanted it above the knee so I needed to take off quite a bit length wise.
Well let’s just say trying to take a picture of yourself in front of a narrow mirror on a door in a poor lit basement is a challenge. I tried my best but the pictures are not that great.
I can’t wait to see and hear about everyone’s apron project.
This project has given me a basic understanding of how the Lutterloh system works. I do think I need to make the basic vest, a shirt and a pair of pants and test out my fitting skills. Right now they are non-existent so I think I will be online with a lot of questions for everyone. I am looking forward to doing some more sewing in the coming months.
Oh Nancy,
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I am so delighted with how the reports are telling us so much. That is why Ann and I choose a vintage, simple project. Vintage has some big challenges but as we are seeing in the apron we can solve them (with a dart in this case) I am glad you will be doing the vest and pants etc. If you work on getting them to fit correctly you will be able to use them to fit all the other Lutterloh patterns.
Hint on photos, if you have a timer and can find something high enough to prop the camera you can get your own photo without a mirror. If you want to send it to me for trimming (or head removal he he ) I am happy to do that for you.
Once again Nice Apron!
Gorgeous apron Nancy! Good that you caught that front seam issue.
ReplyDeleteI'm horribly jealous of you all for coming so far. Sadly, I got stuck in some overtime at work. But I always had a plan. I'm going to make the one with ruffles, and put patchwork pockets on it. Then someone gave me a piece of brown linen that may be perfect for the body. Tonight I can get going.
that looks great, and I'm glad it was such an easy fix.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy, well done on your apron. I have an obsevation/question for you. On the luttlerloh illustration there is quite a high arch on the front of the apron compared to your made-up apron which is quite straight across the top edge. Is this a personal preference adjustment or is the illustration not accurate or could it be a measurement error. I am currently awaiting my lutterloh kit and can't wait to get to grips with the system. I am learning a lot from all the postings on this blog and would appreciate your comments. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI got a high arch in my pattern. I am larger busted and I have need of a dart as Nancy did. I'll let you know what I do as I go. I'm thinking of moving that extra ease around the arch down to the waist and use it as ease down there. I'll take photos and let you know what finally worked. Maybe I'll even switch patterns.
ReplyDeleteI do have choices.
Smiles
Ok! Here's where I am at, pattern drafted and cut out. I did a facing for the neckline of #247. My bodice darts seemed abit high on the pattern and I discovered it after the darts were sew- had pinned and checked and seemed ok but I tried on over different clothing and I was tired at the time, lol! The fabric behaves very differently to the tissue paper I used.
ReplyDeleteSo ripped out and tweaked the top to lower darts.
I too have excess on the sides and will add bust darts.
I am playing around with the fabric and learning with this one...the fabric is Christmassy with pine branched on white background-patchwork weight cotton. Old, old old from the stash and perfect to play around with. I figured if it was a total failure I can use the fabric for a christmas table runner or some cushions!!
But...it looks like it has potential.
The shoulder straps I made like a tube, turned the raw edged under and slipped the bodice shoulder seam into the tube, pinned and edgestitched together. May decorate the seam later.
Not sure I have enough fabric without some clever piecing of scraps for the back straps and may make some contrasting ruched trim for the shoulder seam from another fabric and use the same for the back ties.
I have sewn the criss cross straps on the back into the back side seams so they are permanent.
I will see what's in the stash I could use to finish the apron, only the additional darts, side hems and bottom hem to go.
Will be away this week but should have time to finish the last bits either before I go or when I get back-and by then we should have our laptop working again-we are waiting on a new battery charge unit and all my picture processing software is on the other computer...this one is an old dinosaur and is so slow I dare not try to play with photos here!
This is so much fun, working vintage style!
And Fonnell, thank you very much for the cd and patterns, they arrived at the end of the week! More fun to be had :)
Oh Stephanie you have given us so much to think about. You have a great apron on it's way I think. NOW everyone doing the apron needing the side dart, please tape it out of the paper pattern and save that fabric! you hopefully can see that it is too much when you paper fit the pattern....if not Stephanie and others have warned us....
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see your photos....good luck with the computer! yikes.
Hi Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI have to piece scraps to make my straps as well. I had enough of my accent fabric to make straps that go over my shoulder, but not enough for the whole strap. So I'm going to piece together enough of the base fabric to make the rest of the strap, and still keep the accent fabric going over my shoulders.
I've made progress. Everything's cut out. I've ruffled the top and sewn the front of the straps on. Next is to quilt the hexagon flowers to the pockets and do the ruffle on the hem.
Karen
Karen,
ReplyDeleteWhat a good idea to piece from different fabrics. I did my shoulder straps the same as the apron but I doubt there is enough for the back apron ties. Although there might be because I can piece and make them more narrow...
I can always make a nice contrast back tie and link it to the front of the apron with decoration as planned and I may add a pocket or two but have not committed myself to that yet. Generally I wear aprons during cooking so don't need pockets for that.
Either way I am beginning to feel a bit smug for using up some old fabric from stash and having fun with vintage pattern at same time.
Well, I've finally jumped into it and started my apron. Since this is my first Lutterloh project, I'm very shakey about it, but figured an apron was a good place to start.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I found out that it is a good idea to double check all of the dots. After I had removed the pattern I found that I had one dot wrong. Luckily this was very obvious when I started connecting the dots, but other times it might not be. I was able to line everything back up and correct my mistake.
Next, I found out I am WAY too short for these patterns. When I tried mine on, the armhole was coming clear down to my waistline, and since it wasn't that way in the drawing, I shortened the bodice area by 2.5". Then I still needed to shorten the length in the regular place by 1.5"
I don't know if it was because of these adjustments or not, but I then noticed that the line of the bottom of the apron wasn't matching the drawing at all. I studied it and studied it, and finally had to ignore the middle dot and just draw a straight line between the two outer dots. It looks like it will be OK now, but will know for sure when finished.
Next, I'll be cutting out the fabric and sewing it up. Wish me luck! I'll report back when done.
MaryAnn
MaryAnn,
ReplyDeleteOh do tell us which apron you are working on?
Page 93 Left to right #1 #2 #2
Or #247, 248 or 249?
Thanks!
Fonnell, It's page 93, #2, the one with lace (although I may not be using lace). MaryAnn
ReplyDelete