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Sizing for Encore Designs Patterns
All Encore Designs patterns are multisized. You can trace and cut several sizes from one pattern, or easily create a custom pattern using multiple size lines. Generally, vests, coats, and wraps run size XS- XL or XXL, and blouses, shirts, and jumpers run 6-24.
There is a vast difference between ready-to-wear sizing and sizing for sewing patterns! If you wear a size 2 today in ready-to-wear, 20 years ago you probably would have worn a size 8 in ready-to-wear. "Vanity sizing," as it is called, has been a prevalent practice among clothing manufacturers in recent years. It was adopted for one reason only: to make you feel good about the size you wear. If you wear a size 8 in ready-to-wear, you probably need a size 12 sewing pattern. Don't be distracted or offended by your pattern size! Take good, honest measurements, then choose the corresponding pattern size.
How do you choose when your measurements don't match exactly? If the difference between your chest and bust measurements is 2" or less, use your chest measurement as your bust measurement for blouses, shirts, and vests. If the difference is more than 2", use your bust measurement. If you're making pants, shorts, or a skirt, use your hip measurement.
Body Measurements
Encore Designs uses standard commercial pattern company body measurements (see table below) to create patterns. We are well aware that there has been great controversy recently about how accurately these measurements reflect the "real woman" of today. These measurements were developed in the 1940s and many things, including the shape of our bodies, have changed in sixty years. Commercial pattern companies are working to update their measurement charts to reflect body changes over the years. Until they publish and begin using new measurements, we believe it's more confusing and frustrating to create yet another measurement chart for you to figure out, so we use commercial pattern company measurement charts to maintain consistency.
Measurement Chart Used to Develop Encore Designs Patterns
Size
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
28-1/2
29-1/2
30-1/2
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
30-1/2
31-1/2
32-1/2
34
36
38
40
42
44
46
23
24
25
26-1/2
28
30
32
34
36
38
32-1/2
33-1/2
36
38
40
42
44
46
48
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
15-1/2
15-3/4
16
16-1/4
16-1/2
16-3/4
17
17-1/4
17-3/8
17-1/2
17-5/8 9-3/8
9-5/8
10
10-3/8
10-7.8
11-1/2
12-1/8
12-3/4
13-3/8
14
21-1/4
21-1/2
21-7/8
22-1/8
22-1/2
22-7/8
23-1/4
23-5/8
24
24-3/8
A Word About Ease... All patterns
have wearing ease and design ease built in. Wearing
ease gives you just enough room to move in the garment. The amount is
pretty standard from pattern to pattern and company to company (2-3" in
the bust, 2" in the waist, 3-4" in the hip). Unfortunately,
you as the consumer, can't really "see" wearing ease because it gets
lumped in with design ease. Design ease is determined entirely by
the designer. It is the ease that gives the garment shape—or no shape, as the case may be! Commercial patterns
build in a lot of design ease, often making a finished garment far larger than
you expect it to be. Most Encore
Designs patterns have moderate design ease; they are not boxy or baggy
nor are they uncomfortably close-fitting. Study the line
drawings of each pattern to determine how "full" the garment is.
Our closest fitting pattern is the Town and Country princess-line vest, #104.
Our roomiest patterns are the Essentially Everything Evening Wrap, #105 and
the Scalloped Shirt, #102. Encore
Designs . 2527 225th Pl. NE . Sammamish, WA 98074 Copyright 2001, 2002, 2003 Encore Designs.
All rights reserved.
26
XS
SM
Med
LG
XL
XXL
Chest
46
Bust
48
Waist
40
Hip
34-1/2
50
Waist
to full hip
9
Back
waist length
Bicep
15-5/8
Shoulder
to wrist
24-3/4
Toll-Free: 1-800-868-3003
Phone: 425/868-3077 FAX: 425/898-8447
email: debbie@encoredesigns.com
