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