That looks slightly 'professional' doesn't it!?? Whilst choosing fabric (cheap cotton stuff!) for my friend's Wedding Bunting, there was one of these 'French Curve' things on the Spotlight counter. I was like 'What's that?' and the shop assistant was like 'A French Curve' and I'm like 'But what does it do?' and she was like 'You make your own patterns and you'll never have to buy patterns again'.
People of the internetz: IS THIS TRUE? I got it straight away (but as you can see I finished the bunting - no it's not underpants, as my friend thought! - and the French Cruve is still in its packaging) but am skeptical!
The bunting turned out lovely though!
Now for this week's theme of Sew Weekly, I found an OLD "Quick! Butterick" pattern in my stash! As it's a Stash Busting Theme, I have NOT tried this one, and I'm getting fonder each week of the shirt dress, so perhaps will give this a whirl!
LOL, no a French Curve is a fantastic addition to a sewing room. But it won't mean you can stop buying commercial patterns (unless you have also studies Pattern Making and have a variety of other 'essentials'). It will help with alterations though.
ReplyDeleteHee hee, I don't know much about French Curves, but that lady was an excellent sales woman! I like the pattern you are going to be working on, and I'm very curious what the "Bonus Time-saving Shortcut" is!! Do let us know!
ReplyDeleteI love a shirt dress! So easy and summery. Each week I am becoming more inspired to learn to sew! Soon...soon!
ReplyDeleteAll the mystical stuff the french curve is supposed to be capable of... I'd like to see how it pans out for you. And am curious too about that bonus time-saving shortcut...!
ReplyDeleteI have heard of french curves but have no idea what one does! When you work it out feel free to let me know.
ReplyDeleteI think a french curve can be very practical to use when you are drawing your own patterns. Not that it draws them for you, ofcourse, I think the salesperson was a bit overly enthousiastic in her sales attempt *grin*
ReplyDeleteBut you do draft your own patterns now and then, don't you? So this will probably be a lot of help with that.
Excellent sales technique there :). I use my french curve all the time for tracing patterns, and altering, so you might find it handy even if you don't start drafting everything from scratch.
ReplyDeleteOh we were doing the same project today - I showed off my bunting on my blog too - Snap!!! That French Curve sounds interesting
ReplyDeleteKeep me posted about that French Curve changing your life - I may need to invest in one of those puppies.
ReplyDeleteThat's hilarious - I'm about to go and buy a french curve tonight! I was lamenting my messy attempts at making a vintage pattern fit me when it was a size too big. I also did some internet research and found this: http://sensibility.com/tips/how-to-resize-a-pattern/
ReplyDeleteIt terrified me a bit at first but reading through it a few times it really doesn't look that bad! I'm almost excited now about giving it a go (and hopefully salvaging what's left of the dress I couldn't get to fit!)
I have that same pattern - it came from my mum who actually made it a couple of times I think - I remember a green one and a blue patterned one.
ReplyDeleteGotta love those Spotlight ladies - most of 'em don't know what they're talking about at all! A french curve is useful though, especially for grading a smooth line between sizes on a pattern (like from the waist out to the hip), but I mainly use it for fixing up commercial patterns because drafting your own is a big undertaking
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