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Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about my "Talk Back Thursday" post. I got SO MANY excellent ideas that it is taking me a while to compile everything - but it is coming. :)
In the meantime, here's a new Friday Confession for you...
So, true confession time: I have the Lutterloh system, but I rarely use it...
It's not that I have any particular problem with the system. The idea is actually pretty cool. You get hundreds of mini-patterns (all of the pattern pieces for one outfit fit on a piece of paper that is smaller than 8x10). You use a special tape measure to "blow them up" to your size by extending the tape measure along the marked lines to make dots, and then connecting the dots to draw the full size pattern.
The aspect that I think is really clever is that you can make different sized patterns, but not by changing the ending point of your tape measure, but by changing the beginning point! The mini-patterns give you the ending points you use on your tape measure to expand the pattern. And the special tape measure has this extra component with different starting points, and you use the size you want to pick the appropriate starting point.
I guess I just like things that turn normal thinking on its head. ;)
The other significant aspect of this system (in my opinion) is that the assembly instructions are pretty minimal, so you need to have some pre-existing knowledge and skill - it's not really suited for beginners.
Anyways, I have the system and hundreds of patterns, but I rarely use it. Not sure why - expanding the patterns isn't really any harder than tracing the Burda magazine patterns... But going back and looking through my pattern book isn't quite as much fun as getting a new pattern magazine in the mail! ;)
So, how about you? Have you heard of Lutterloh? Have you tried it? Do you have the system? Do you like it? Use it regularly? I'd love to hear about any/all experiences with this system!
9 comments:
I"m just like you. I bought this system about 5years ago - it's a brilliant idea. I have made one t-shirt which was a complete disaster - I think I must've mucked up my pattern drafting.
I often look through the patterns, I've bought a couple of extra supplements, I've photocopied some pattern pages so I didn't have to put pins in the originals and yet I still bought a new Burda magazine yesterday! :)
I suspect part of it is I don't trust the artists sketches to be true representations and I can't guess off such a tiny pattern diagram how it will actually look. It would be helpful if there was a short description alongside the sketch. I probably just need to bite the bullet and use it and build up some sort of confidence in how it works.
I've heard of it but I don't have it. Linda(Danvillegirl Sewing Diary) used it recently. I think I'd reather learn pattern grading rather than buy a system. I'm the kind of person that wants to know the theory of WHY it works. It's the engineer/librarian in me :)
I've never heard of this, until just now when you mentioned it. Just googled it- this system sounds fun.
Can you do some designing with it or is it only for sizing???
I attended a class where the system was presented and wanted it very badly but money prohibited purchasing at the time. I've thought about it but have still not made a move.
I actually was approached to sell this system at my studio a couple years ago. I didn't do it because it was way too much money for the system and the split wasn't good. They were making most of the profit for me doing all the work selling it.
Really, all this system is is the basics of pattern-making. It's like a sloper where all other patterns are made from. It's an easy way to understand patternmaking. I can teach it without having the system but I don't because most people want to learn the basics and patternmaking is more advanced and takes time to learn.
Ya know, I don't know why the past few weeks I can't use my google account to leave a message. I know I'm signed and have made other comments on other blogs but for some reason when I post on your blog it won't let me sign in. Can you figure out that one for me?? LOL Have a great weekend Gwen!
Cindy, Learn2Sew
I took a class long, long ago and loved the idea. But just like the computerized pattern-makers, I don't want to use their patterns. I want to use my patterns and use this system to correct the fit. Do you think that's possible? And it seems as though it would be a much easier way to grade vintage patterns, but I don't have the time to figure that one out. (Sounds like maybe Cindy has the answer to this!)
I haven't heard of Lutterloh until somewhat recently, via various sewing blogs. So obviously, I haven't tried it! (I did try a similar pattern enlargement thing, sort of, with a book of historical costume patterns that I was using to make a Lord of the Rings-based costume several years back. Which served its purpose, but didn't fit quite as well as I'd hoped.
I too bought this system when a client showed me hers. I have loads of the supplements but I have never even started. They recommend starting with the vest pattern to get the best results but it always seems like being 30 pounds less would get me better results...ha ha. One day maybe?
http://fitforaqueen.wordpress.com/
I want it, but the price tag is a little steep for me and like everything else, I can choose to get it or I can pay a bill. Bills win blast it. Someday.
I do have about 12 vintage books on the system, just need the rest of the crap to do it, which is the tape measure and when ebay pops one out for under 25 bucks, I'll make some of the ones I do have (I have the rulers off HSN that I got for free, so go figure that one out).
My mom has it, hasn't used it...and I did the pattern for her, and it came out fine (she's fluffy so she got the plus sized stuff) and the whole of it was pretty easy. The garment came out like the picture and for what it was (a pantsuit) it was good for that.
I like the vintage stuff, A LOT, the modern things aren't to my taste so much. Some of it is okay, but not okay enough for $100 to justify getting it. When I get the rest of the things to make them up, I plan on at least 10 garments, albeit altering some design elements to suit my own taste. (Sarah, you can't really design much with it without kind of having to draft things or find different components in the system to blow up, at least that is my limited experience with it.)
Oddly, I am not much of a Burda fan, although I have several magazines, and a jacket I am eventually going to make when I get settled in from my move.
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