How to “Personalize Your Pattern†Heather Barnett â€"â€" Clothing Specialist How many times have you said to yourself. “I'll never wear this dress because it doesn't lit me prop» crlv". or “I've made a dress from this pattern ï¬ve times now. Isn‘t there some way I can make it look dif» l‘crent’I" Now there is a way to achieve perfect ï¬t and update your old patterns â€" Personalize Yonr Pattern! Personalize Your Pattern is a new Senior Traintng School (‘ourse being offered by the Home Economics Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The traintng school. composed of Leaders from women's groups in the County. is an actionrpackcd two day learning experience concentrating on two areas â€" how to achieve perfect ï¬t and how to make simple design changes using old patterns. In the section on ï¬tting. the Leaders learn such basic inlormatton as the suitable style and line I‘m various Iigure types, what body measurements should be taken for proper ï¬t and how to measure the ligure and tissue pattern accurately As well. three methods ol lilting and the alterations t'or common Iigure prob- lems are discussed The designing section (and the mml l'unil L‘IWCCIP lratcs on how to update the patterns you already have by learning simple design principles, Wouldn't you like to know how to move bodice darts front one loca- tion to another. how to convert darts into tucks or gathers. and how to make Stmple neckline changes? The Leaders are also shown how to combine various patterns cg. taking a sleeve and collar from one pat- tern and putting them into another Skirt designing is also emphast/cd in the course and the Leaders learn how to design ï¬ared and pleated skirts from a basic A- ltnL‘ skirt. liasyvtovlhllow instructions are also given for designing the very popular quarter Cll'ClL‘ skirt. It is so easy to make because personal body measurements are used. 28 What is the Summary Day Project? Any garmcnl can be made â€" dress. skirt. blouse,jacket etc. ‘ Wm, either a knitted or woven fabric. It is importam mu: the garment ï¬t as well as possible. using the int-iii n. taught in the course. Making simple design Chan, the garment is optional for those who wish to their creative talents. ‘ lt't he Why was “Personalize Your Pattern“ cri- At‘ter reviewing the most frequently asked-tor hi the clothing section found that most ladies were ested in simple designing and achieving proper garments. Indeed. it was surprising to learn that i . women were already redesigning patterns on ! own, The object of the project then. was to pr some background knowledge in ï¬tting and dest; and to show beginner designers just how east simple pattern changes could be. Because this in ï¬rst time a course of this type had been olTero clothing section was a little apprehensive about well it would be received. However any doubts soon squashed as Leaders' and participants' resp have been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Many tive talents have been rejuvenated resulting in I fully redesigned patterns which ï¬t perfectly, Two Summary Days have been held so far 7 in York and one in Niagara â€" with tremendously cessful results. Sewers who previously had been lrated with their attempts at ï¬tting commented ‘ after taking the course. it was the ï¬rst time the} completed a garment in which they were truly sau- wilh the ï¬t. Those who decided to redesign their v terns too, were rewarded with a “personal†and t ionable took. The most popular designs were the s. i the quarter circle and converting the basic A-lir‘ a flare skirt. They were tried in both short and 1 versions with smashing success. Comments on the project? Encouraging thusiasm for “Personalize Your Pattern“! Even tho many had been SCWing for years. they found that course gave them a broader understanding of pan:- From York East with |24 participants came 0 ments such as “This was the ï¬rst time I’ve complete garment in which I was truly satisï¬ed with the ï¬t Miss Barnett continued to say. “Many deslg‘ from the manual had been tried. They had been 2' cuted very well and continued to enhance the look the garment. l was especially pleased that two or iii! had had the courage to try changing the basic dress a princess. This design is fairly difï¬cult and involve lot of time. Mrs. Hunter (the leader from Laskayl 6‘1 P1“ PlEats in her princess dress and the overall to" was terriï¬c.“