In August, 2018, Islander Sewing Systems acquired Fashion Patterns by Coni and we are pleased to be the ones that carry on her product line and legacy. Although Connie is on hiatus, her products speak for themselves. We invite you to enjoy our newsletter, products and Facebook Live program, Tuesday's at Two. Connie Crawford is a licensed designer for Butterick Patterns and the retired owner of Fashion Patterns by Coni which specializes in patterns for mature figures in sizes 8-20 and 1X-6X. She is a nationally recognized lecturer, fashion specialist, educator and author of several DVDs, sewing and pattern textbooks, including Patternmaking Made Easy. Connie has been a production patternmaker/designer in the Los Angeles fashion industry and taught patternmaking and fashion design classes for 23 years at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. Drawing on her 35 years of experience, Connie created her own pattern line with true-to-body fit for mature and plus size women.
Great video.I bought a dress form today and padded it out just like this video. I dont know if anyone else who has done this found it confronting to see their body shape in front of them. I know I have. Its very strange.
thank you sooo much for this vedio. I was struggling to create drest forms with different body shapes for a school project. all the methods I did was so time consuming. this is fast and easy. thank you again
For CS1201: 1” Seam allowance at side seams. All other seam allowances are 5/8”. For CS1301 or CS1302: Seam allowances are 5/8” on all seams. There is a 1 inch extension at center front, which is noted on the pattern.
Hi Marcia: I think you are asking if the bust level line is parallel to the waistline tape. The bust level line should be parallel to the floor. The waistline tape is always follows the natural waistline of the customer. Many times, the waistline dips down in the front. Hope this helps. Connie
I'm so glad to find your chanel :) you are truly a master at fitting. I'm going to open a bridal boutique but sadly in fashion school they only teach you to work with small sizes and the real challenge are larger sizes when it comes to fitting :/ anyway :) I'm so very thankful to find you. Please forgive my bad English I'm mexican
Hi Cecilia: Thank you so much for your comments on my RU-vid video. I am now doing webinars to bring more and more people this information at very small costs. We offer the blouse slopers/blocks (darted and princess styles) so that people, like yourself, can use them to make designs for private customers. These would be perfect for you in making bridal gowns and having the correct bust cup and shoulder information before making the design. Good luck with your business. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Much love, Connie Crawfrod
Thanks for your nice comment. We have a sale going this week. Be sure to check our facebook page for the latest promotions: facebook.com/fashionpatterns/ Happy Sewing & Patternmaking!
Hahaha... talk about optical illusions... I got distracted for a second, and when you started putting the buttons I for a split second thought you were on the floor!. Thanks for the video <3!.
H Cathy: Thanks for viewing this video. You might catch my webinar on December 14th. Also, next year I am scheduled to do a full video on pattern fitting and design. Thanks, Connie Crawford
Thanks for the great information on interfacing! Can you tell me what pattern you used for the jacket you are wearing in this video and in the other video on interfacing (the blue jacket). They are gorgeous!
Hi JoAnne: The jacket pattern that I am wearing is my Butterik pattern B6110. The blue jacket pattern is now discontinued. We try to keep extras of each design (which we did), but that pattern is also sold out here. Hope this helps. Fondly, Connie Crawford
Connie, thank you SO MUCH for this video! I have been sewing for about 50 years, and I never knew all you taught me in this video! Of course, I am always looking for any new techniques to improve my sewing, and this, to me, is really a big one!
Hi Virginia: Thank you for your nice comment about my interfacing presentation. I have been giving this information in my lectures all these years, but it seems that the videos is the best method of getting information to everyone. These are part of my learning skills from the fashion industry. When I started in the industry 50 years ago, I couldn't believe the "tricks of the trade" that I learned directly on the job--this interfacing is one of those tricks. I guess I should get out the rest of this program on video. Thanks again for your nice comment. Connie
Hi Brenda: We use satin back crepe with the shiny side inside. You can use any medium weight woven fabric to make the samples. I always use polyester based fabric so that the sample does not shrink when pressing. Thanks, Connie
Thanks for the questions. When you glue a pattern the liquid from the can distorts and shrinks the paper, which makes the pattern totally wrong. We actually like to use an inexpensive press on interfacing (our 7927) to press on the back of the pattern. Then we staple it to the manila paper or lightweight poster board.
Gaining this knowledge makes me feel so much more confident in regards to changing up patterns. Your instructions are clear and easy to understand. Thank you so much!
Finally! No duct tape, no body castings. Simple and clean. I was on one video on how you can make your own dress form. The video was about 2-3 minutes long and it went as followed. "How to make a dress form, buy one." I have an odd body shape so buying one that fits isn't that easy. Now I can get one that fits close but modify it. Clear simple instructions, great camera shot instead of a blurry low quality shot from halfway across the room, step by step instructions. Thank you!
Connie, this has to be the best video dealing with this subject ever. My problem was that I have made lots of dress forms for others but could never get one made for me.
great video to follow, nancy is now MY size , thankyou... do you have a video tutorial for the "arm" that you pinned to the dressform, as i would love this too, TIA
What a fantastic method of making a fiitted dress form! I have been walking around with a desire to make one myself for quire some time but didn't know where to start. This method looks much better and cleaner than duck tape-method. Can't wait to put it in practice. I live in Europe and unfortunately the dress form and a princes seam pattern used in this video, are not availible here. Will have to adjust to that. Thank you very much, Connie for this great video! I will watch all of your video's and will check the web site.
Thank you so much for this! This has helped my understanding a great deal and now I have more confidence in choosing interfacings for my projects, especially rayons. (And the sequin fabrics are absolutely beautiful, *swoon*) :-)
+Er Ba Yes. The custom dress form method (DVD) will work for making a man’s form. I have a woman in Michigan who makes period costumes for children’s, men’s, and women’s. She used this method to make the bodies for many customers and has saved her a lot of money because this method works and is an inexpensive method for a form that works just like a professional one. Don’t forget to put a finished shell on it to get it completed. For a man, a knit tee shirt finished very tight over the form will work.
Where does one find the pieces of foam or cotton (whatever it is you use to enlarge specific areas) in order to buy them? I already have a dress form but like the one lady, I have more padding in certain then I use to have.
+Dottie Cummings Hi Dottie. Batting and dress form supplies can be found at Fashion Supplies Inc. Here's the web address: www.fashionsuppliesinc.com/fashion-pattern-kit.html
I enjoyed this video very much. I am a complete beginner with draping. I was confused about one part and would welcome input: do you hold the (purple) knit pattern taut when transferring it to the pattern paper like it was on the dress form? You used the phrase "let it snap back like a rubber band" and I wasn't sure when in the pattern making process one would do that. It seems that it wouldn't fit right if you cut out the stretched outline. Sorry if this is confusing. I look forward to watching and learning more from you. Thanks.
+Susan Richardson The knit fabric will return to its original shape once you remove it from the dress form. I developed CS1207 so that you don't need to learn this draping technique. Most beginners have a difficult time getting the master patterns correctly made. However, once you have viewed the video, you can use CS1207 to cut out, put it on the dress form and draw in the style that you would like for yourself (neckline, yokes, add pleats, etc.) This is the method that designers use. Hope this helps, Fondly, Connie
