Replies

1. 
   carolfresia | Feb 02, 2005 09:55pm | #1

   Hi, Barb,

   The new line of Threads patterns issued by Simplicity have, indeed, been developed with us. The first two patterns are out now, with more styles to follow throughout the year. We've worked with Simplicity on selecting the designs and on writing the pattern instructions--Threads provided some special tips there to help sewers get the best results when making these garments. We've had a wonderful time learning how patterns are designed and made, and are delighed with the outcome.

   Now if I can just ever get to my sewing machine, I really want to try the dress/coat ensemble for spring.

   Carol

1. 
   SewNancy | Feb 03, 2005 09:17pm | #2

   Considering that patterns from the big companies haven't updated their construction methods in a million years this should be a welcome addition for those learning how to sew.  I'll have to take a look.

   Nancy

1. 
   sanpancho | Feb 17, 2005 11:21pm | #3

   Dear Carol,
   Would you please consider developing a classic
   dress shirt pattern? A pattern that could be used
   with David Page Coffin's "Shirtmaking" would be so
   useful for novices; I'm sure that there would be ####demand for such a pattern. Thank you for the
   opportunity t give input.
   Sincerely, sanpancho.

1. 
   carolfresia | Mar 01, 2005 12:08am | #6

   Dear sanpancho,

   I'm assuming you mean a men's dress shirt? I'll definitely pass that word along. Meanwhile, I was out of town last week and returned to find the latest four patterns, which are nice but not for men! There's a skirt assortment, child's dresses, a pants/blouse/skirt/jacket wardrobe, and a wedding gown.

   Carol

2. 
   user-474140 | Feb 20, 2005 12:35am | #4

   I was looking at patterns yesterday and went to check out the Simplicity/Threads patterns, and to my dismay, could not findany! There was a picture on the inside front cover of 1 such pattern -- is that it, so far?Rob

1. 
   user-474140 | Feb 23, 2005 09:25pm | #5

   Hi,

    

   I checked again and found them.  I would love some blouse patterns!

    

    

1. 
   carolfresia | Mar 01, 2005 12:09am | #7

   Rob, I'll pass your suggestion along. I actually think there is a blouse coming soon, although I'm not sure of the schedule.

   Carol

1. 
   TashaGirl | Mar 05, 2005 06:07am | #8

   I decided to try out the coat in pattern 4699.  When I took it out to trace out my pattern I discovered that Simplicity decided to print the front pattern peice sizes10/14/18 on one print out and 12/16 on another!  WHAT WERE THEY THINKING????  How many people want to blend directly from a 10 to a 14??  or a 12 to a 16?  The back is printed all on one piece. And how many use just one size all the time?  I thought the one of the main advantages of a multi-size pattern was being able to blend from one size to another without tracing a pattern 2 or 3 times!  I was at an ASG meeting when we discovered this and the other women were unhappy and perplexed as well!

2. 
   carolfresia | Mar 08, 2005 05:43pm | #9

   I've encountered the same printing issue on patterns I've used (not these specific ones). I think--though I'm not positive--that this is done to minimize confusion in places where the multi-size lines get very close to each other. By skipping the intermediate sizes, those lines will be slightly farther apart and easier to distinguish. You do have to interpolate to go from one size to the next, but you can usually do so by drawing lines that are essentially "parallel" (not really, because they're sometimes not straight, of course) and between the lines you've got. On pattern pieces with fewer details, all the sizes can be nested more easily without losing clarity.

   One thing I do know is that there's a strict limit to how many sheets of tissue and instruction pages can fit inside a pattern envelope, and all pattern companies have to make careful calculations as to how to print the patterns most efficiently on the sheets. Since Simplicity tries to include several garments per package, as well as a coordinating bag or purse, they probably have to squash the pattern pieces onto the sheets pretty tightly. (That's also why instructions sometimes are done in that baffline way where you have to jump from View A to View D and back again--saves printing duplicate steps on the guidesheets.)

   Carol