Vogue patterns and their strange quirks.

[OpheliaButcher]

So there's something I've noticed about Vogue patterns, while generally fabulous for the price and ease of use (I highly recommend their corset patterns) I find there's always one small detail that looks fine on the pattern, but when the garment is completed is absolutely horrible and a time consuming to fix. On a jacket from them the lapels weren't wide enough, on the corsets the front modesty panel makes it hard to hide the hooks and eyes, and on an aviators cap I was making yesterday even with taking the artistic license to use a 3/8ths seam allowance instead of 5/8ths it came out about 3 inches short.

I'm wondering if I'm nuts or if anyone else has noticed these sorts of things with modern patterns? I have some vintage ones that work beautifully, and I find what usually works best is to cut apart something I already like, but sometimes that's not an option and I'm tired of having to budget another 4 hours per piece to fix a quirk....

-Ophelia Butcher

[Lasairfion]

Have you considered detailing relevant modifications and sending a copy of said plans to them? I am sure if it is trouble for you, it is trouble for many others. You never know, they may know of the problems and be looking for someone to add to their design team. No loss to try.

[Tinkergirl]

Havne't come across it myself yet, but if I do then I'll definitely let you know.  I read a review of the aviator hat pack pattern, and they didn't seem to have any troubles (except that they cap wasn't stiff enough).  *shrugs*  Sorry I cannot help.

[gpalmer]

Between being cheap and having to alter every commercial pattern I come across, I barely use the things these days.  I have better luck either draping/drafting my own, if I know how to make that sort of garment already, or fiddling together period patterns.

Grace D. Palmer

[Vincent Théière]

I know what you mean, I have issues with patterns all the time.  I think modern patterns sometimes try a bit too hard, while older patterns were made nice and simple, but that's just me dribbling.

[heresyoftruth]

I have had problems with Vogue patterns in the past, and tend to steer clear of them. Like gpalmer, I am cheap, and have had to redo too many patterns to use them much these days. I try to hit the dollar sales, so if the pattern is a total bust, and I have to rework it, I am not out too much more than my time.

I have taken to doing up a muslin (or cheap flat sheet) copy these days before starting on real fabric because of my distrust of commercial patterns I haven't used before.

[Nebutron]

I concur with doing a "muslin" to check fitting (and quirks) before cutting into the expensive stuff.

Neb

[Insanity]

patterns always work for me, but they're always a somewhat generic shape and fit, so I end up altering them anyways. I mostly just get them to alter.

[Flynn MacCallister]

... I'm glad you mention that with Vogue: I thought it was just me being dense and/or making mistakes when I was modifying it to fit.

Then again, maybe it is just that. ^_^

And yea: we were taught in textiles at school to always do a muslin/calico mock-up, particularly when you're working with moderately expensive fabric.

[morriganslayde]

If I recall, Vogue doesn't come with a seam allowance in their patterns at all.  Easy fix, as the tip of a measuring tape is the perfect length.