FAQ Our favorites!

People ask questions of us 

on whatever posting they land. 

 We seem to answer them on those pages thinking

 that is where they will check back for our answer.

Wouldn't you like to see some of those

QUESTIONS and ANSWERS?

Here are Fonnell and Ann's favorite Questions and Answers. 

Maybe you will find some valuable information here.

QUESTION: Where do I use the bust measurements 

and where do I use the hip measurements? 
ANSWER: Bust measurement is used in all parts above and 

including the waist.That includes collars, necklines, sleeves, front and 
back upper bodice pieces. Hip measurements are used for all pattern 
parts below the waist as in skirts, pants and shorts.

QUESTION: How exactly should I take my bust and hip measurements? 
ANSWER: If you check out this link : http://www.lutterloh.com/ you will 
find a couple videos that should explain this more clearly. 
It is a little different than you would regularly take measurements.

QUESTION: Can I buy a replacement for my Lutterloh tape separately 

or do I have to buy the whole kit?  
ANSWER: We are not a Lutterloh System dealer 
but if you check out the links in our sidebar you should find a dealer that you could ask.

QUESTION: Where can I buy new Lutterloh patterns? 
Can I buy them individually?
ANSWER: Please check the links in our sidebar for a Lutterloh dealer. 
Lutterloh Patterns are sold in quarterly supplements of 40 patterns to a booklet. 
They are not offered for individual sale through Lutterloh.


QUESTION: Where can I buy older or vintage Lutterloh patterns? 
ANSWER: The U.S. and European Lutterloh websites offer many of the 
older supplements dating back about 20 years. 
For supplements or whole kits older than this watch for offers 
on Ebay, Etsy or other popular auction sites. 
Prices vary be sure you know what older kits are selling for.


QUESTION: Will the Lutterloh company draft a pattern from my own 
design or a photo?
ANSWER: They never have been known to do that but you could 
always ask them.


QUESTION: Can I give you a pattern number and year so you can 
look at what I'm working on?
ANSWER: Many people do this however we would have to buy 
every pattern and we just can't do that. We are not part of Lutterloh 
so we have no way to have everyone's pattern. Sometimes we get 
lucky and can find it in one of our books. Mostly we can't.  
Please send us a copy of your pattern so we can help answer 
your questions.


QUESTION: Can I use the Lutterloh scale and tape measure to enlarge 
other small scale pattern drawings?
ANSWER: No, the Lutterloh System uses a formula based on the 
Golden Rule to enlarge only their patterns. There is no way of 
knowing if other drawings are drawn proportionally correct.


QUESTION: Do I have to make a vest and 
where is there a pattern for this vest?
ANSWER: It is a fitting vest. Once it's made you will make adjustments 

to make the bodice fit you better and the vest even goes past your 

high hip so you can adjust this. The goal is to note every change you make.

You will make these same changes in every Lutterloh pattern. 

The Vest is a fast discovery way to fitting, you may just start making 

patterns you like but do paper fit, and note every change you make in 

the first few outfits. We have a posting listed on the right that helps 

you take your vest pattern a step further. Check it out! 

 Check with a Lutterloh dealer for a pattern, we have those dealers 

listed on the right sidebar.


QUESTION: My pattern looks askew on the paper once I’m done enlarging

 it. Should I still use it?
ANSWER: Remember that each person will use their own measurements 
to draw their pattern. Because we each have our own combination 
of bust to hip ratio this will sometimes cause the pattern to tilt away from 
the original tiny drawing. As long as you are following the directions 
carefully for drawing out your dots and connecting them your 
pattern should work just fine. Check out our links on the right 
sidebar to find a post on drawing out your patterns. 
Trust the system and make sure to paper fit the pattern.


QUESTION: Is there an index for Lutterloh Patterns somewhere 
or do I have to flip through all my patterns to find the one I need?
ANSWER: Unfortunately there is no master index for the huge collection 
of Lutterloh Patterns spanning nearly 80 years. However since more than 
half of those have been published on individual pages there is no stopping 
you from categorizing them in your binders in whatever order you like.


QUESTION: Ease, everyone asks how much ease is in each pattern. 
Ease is how much space the pattern allows for movement in the garment.
ANSWER: There was much less ease in the fashions of the 1950's, 1960's 
and 1970's. Ease seems to be growing in the Lutterloh patterns. 
The style of a fashion will denote less ease also. 
I've never seen a pencil skirt with but a little ease. 
Knit fashions in Lutterloh can't tell how stretchy your fabric is so ease 
will be greatly determined by how far that fabric stretches against a ruler. 
We have several postings on our right bar about ease. 
You should find them all useful.


QUESTION: Can you explain how to calculate the yardage needed 

for the pattern I'm making?
ANSWER: Most of the patterns have two numbers right under the 
fashion drawing. That is the amount of fabric it would take to 
make that garment if your bust is 92 cm If your bust isn't that 
size you can learn more about fabric calculations at this posting 
on our blog:  http://sewingnhumming.blogspot.com/2009/07/fabric-requirements.html


QUESTION: Is there something Fonnell would like to tell us about Lutterloh?
ANSWER: YES! no pattern, including Lutterloh patterns know how long

 you want your sleeves, your pants, your skirts, your tops, your dresses. 

Only you know so paper fit every pattern you make. 

How do you paper fit? Lay the paper pattern up to your body.
It is only half a pattern so the center should reach your center, 

the sides should meet your sides. I don't put seam allowances on

my patterns until I lay them on the fabric. I can clearly see when a 

pattern is not wide enough and I can clearly see when I want something 

longer or shorter. I can then take my pattern back to my paper roll 

and tape changes to it or cut and remove parts and paper fit again. 

I'm working alone so I pin the patterns right to my clothes 

I have on to look at all angles of the fit.

QUESTION: Is there something Ann would like to tell us about Lutterloh?

 ANSWER: Yes, although we enlarge the Lutterloh patterns to our
unique measurements rarely will any pattern fit without at least some
personal alterations.  By making the fitting vest first each person can 
discover which alterations will achieve the best fit for them.  
If you are new to altering your patterns to get the optimal fit, 
your best resource would be a reference book detailing 
these alterations.  It is usually recommended to start from 
the top of the pattern and work your way down doing just one 
alteration at a time.  This may require a few test garments or 
"muslins" but the time is well worth it since these will

be the same alterations you will make for each Lutterloh pattern thereafter.

There are a few recommendations for fitting books at the end of this post:

http://sewingnhumming.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-lutterloh-system-symbols-page.html

The Lutterloh System Symbols Page Revisited

  The Lutterloh Patterns have always used a symbols page to mark their sewing instructions and pattern pieces. We get lots of questions from users of these patterns that I hope to explain here.

   Here is a photo of a symbols page from a 2014 supplement of Lutterloh patterns. The most recent addition to the chart is the bottom symbol that looks like an outline of a dress form which indicates these patterns are for very slim figures. You might wonder, how slim are we talking about? I wanted to be sure so I e-mailed Frank Lutterloh of Fashion Unlimited and asked for clarification. I was told that for these patterns to be the most effective they should be used for ladies with a bust measurement of no more than 90cm. The fuller figure symbol of the dark dress form will appear on patterns that are most suitable for ladies with a bust or hip measurement of at least 110cm.

   The XXL system, which is a completely different system with it's own unique measuring scale, should only be used by those with a bust or hip measurement of at least 130cm. Many have found though that if they are close to the lower limit of the XXL set that the full figure patterns can work just fine with perhaps some more generous seam allowances. I am mentioning these measurements in centimeters because we should all be using the scale to draw the patterns so it's just easier to start with the number we will use on the scale.

   Just remember that both design ease and wearing ease are built into all the Lutterloh Patterns. I have heard that some feel the full figure patterns have less defined curves overall (more ease). This would explain why many of the FF patterns will still work for the XXL size woman yet some who fit into the XXL size range find the XXL patterns too loose. I've also noticed that the slim figure patterns have less pronounced hip curves. However, they are also narrower all over leaving less room (or ease) for much bust or hip curve. With more distinct pattern size ranges for different figure types we will find some overlap into the patterns designed for each figure type but of course the average size pattern range will fit the greater number of people.

   Now I'd like to address some of the FAQs that are posted as comments to our blog. Many of these can be answered with a better understanding of the symbols page.

   The photo above shows both a one piece and two piece sleeve. In red I have marked a notch that you could mark to indicate the top of the sleeve where it will meet the shoulder seam. For the sleeve on the right, even though there is only one cross mark to place your pin, you will cut these apart on the bold, solid lines to create two sleeve pieces. The red line I have drawn in indicates where you would mark across the two pieces, and mark notches if you like to be sure they match, before you cut them apart.

   Before you cut them apart you'll also want to mark the grain-line to get them the same for both pieces. If needed, to get a straight line to guide you in marking the grainline, you can draw a line across the pattern pieces at the corners where the armhole seam matches up. This line should run perpendicular to the grainline. Here is a link to a visual for this technique:
http://fashion-incubator.com/how-to-find-the-grainline-on-a-sleeve/
Make sure to mark the little "v" for the front of the sleeve and add seam allowances on any Lutterloh pattern.

   

   This next photo demonstrates a fairly new symbol, added in this century, to the Lutterloh System. The red box is drawn around the straight of grain symbol sitting next to the 90° angle symbol on top of the dashed line at the waist. All these symbols grouped together tells us we should draw the grain-line perpendicular to the waist. Normally the grain-line should run parallel to the center back or center front. Frequently these pieces are placed on a fold so the grain-line is obvious. When there is no fold we need to look for other indicators to find our straight of grain.  

   In the case of the bodice above, the green box is drawn around another example of the grain-line at a 90° angle to the waist because the side seam is not straight. On the bias cut skirt the 90° is replaced with a 45° to indicate the front and back pieces should both be placed with the straight of grain at a 45° angle to the fold or on the true bias.

   The bodice photo is also a good example of multiple pieces drawn from one cross mark. The front (A), the front side (AC), the front yoke (AL) and the front button placket (LL) are all drawn as one piece and then cut apart at the bold, solid lines. You would want to mark the grain-line and any notches you desire, indicated by the red lines at the princess seams, before cutting these apart. The placket has the center front marked on its outermost left line. The front yoke, placket and front bodice would all need their grain-lines marked before cutting these apart. The front side grain-line would be at a right angle to the waist. Again, be sure to add seam allowance to each piece separately.

   Finally, in this last photo there is no waist line to mark a 90° angle, and the center back is not placed on a fold. For these patterns you would align your straight of grain perpendicular to the bottom hem just below the arrow. There are no other symbols to indicate otherwise and the hem just below the arrow is a roughly straight line. In the case of the pants you can see the center front is marked on the fold for the fly so that could be one more line to follow along with a straight line for the crease going from the top dot to the bottom and at a right angle to the hem. As you can see there's lots of pattern information packed into those little symbols scattered all over your Lutterloh System patterns and these don't even scratch the surface of the issue of fitting. Those issues are far more personal to each user and need to be handled on a case by case basis.

   If there are any other symbols that are perplexing you please don't hesitate to post a comment and we'll try to explain them a little further. However, I have to say, there really is no substitute for a good, solid understanding of sewing terms and how to apply them. To that end I'll include a short list of my favorite sewing reference books. Everyone should have at least a couple of these in their library.

General Sewing and Construction:

• Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing
• Vogue Sewing
• Bonfit - Fashion Sewing Instructions

Fitting and Alterations

• Fitting and Pattern Alteration by Liechty, Rasband and Pottberg-Steineckert
• The Complete Photo Guide to Perfect Fitting by Sarah Veblen
• Fit For Real People by Pati Palmer and Marta Alto
• Fast Fit by Sandra Betzina

I sure hope you've found this post useful. Keep those questions coming and happy sewing!

Ann in Calif.

WELCOME

You are on the blog that talks about  EVERYTHING LUTTERLOH

I started this blog in 2009 after finding a collection

 of 1950's Lutterloh patterns

It was love at first sight

With my sewing friend Ann we present postings that should help you 

make your Lutterloh pattern & adjust your pattern

We have both tested so many of these sewing patterns,

 for ourselves, family, and friends.

We feel our experience lets us give you the best information
 to make that Lutterloh purchase, or find, work for you!

Soon we will be updating some of our pages 

We are drawing up new fashions and we want to test them

Time to start sewing before the holidays arrive!

Watch for our new up dates.