02 September 2013

Pattern Puzzle - RETRO SHRUG

Here is the anonymous shape that was posted on our Facebook Page.  A self-drafted rectangle with three notches - that's all they got!  And they were very creative with the information.  Have a look at the comments!  And this is the Vintage Pattern (now reissued as Simplicity 8452) that started me off on a quest to make and understand how a simple, self-drafted rectangle shape becomes this elegant top?!?  


You'll find all the pattern making detail on the website blog.

6 comments:

  1. Nicely done. I have a feeling Knipmode covered something similar a while back (i.e. using a square) but using jersey for this is definitely the enlightened approach XD

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  2. Hi theperfectnose. Thanks for dropping by and for the info. I will look up Knipmode and follow.
    Single jersey without some kind of elastane will not be successful in this style or for the Retro Wrap. Really has to be two-way stretch because you are working across the grains. Are you going to made one?

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  3. I have seen pictures of this but could never figure out how it worked. I'm certainly going to try it!
    The style is kind of similar (but completely different) to a shrug-from-rectangles I designed myself a few years ago ( http://petitmainsauvage.blogspot.nl/2011/11/as-promised-cardigan-how-to.html )

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    1. Had a look at your blog… Love the cardigan pattern directions. These strange shapes all seem to come our of the earlier part of the last century. absolutely fascination to me. Have you seen the Retro Wrap post and The Patent Blouse post? I am now working on some samples for the Patent Blouse for a new post. :)

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  4. Thank you for the link to my retro wrap post!
    I've also made this top and blogged about it here: http://petitmainsauvage.blogspot.nl/2014/08/freeform-retro-top.html
    I made an alteration to the pattern: By the shortening the center back seam to 19 cm, it becomes much easier to wrap the front and to wear it as a top rather than a shrug without tucking it into a high waistband.

    And I also find these strange shapes fascinating. I think they came into fashion with early 20th century orientalism because I've seen similar shapes in fashion drawings from the 1910's. Of course, those designs don't place a focus on the waist.

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    1. Hey, great post and thx for the links. Also great idea to give yourself more waistline by reducing CB seam. On me the 24cm is only just long enough to reach my back waist. So much depends on the individual back length measurement I think. And finally a huge thank you for testing so many of our ideas and spreading the word. Much appreciated. :)

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