Petite Plus Patterns

Colleen · Sawyer Brook Staff Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 17

Has anyone used the Petite Plus Patterns?
I am thinking about picking up the skort and the shapely shirt. I was also looking at the Princess seamed blazer...
Just wanted to know if anyone has had experience with them!
Thanks!
I was thinking the Hideaway fabric would work up nicely in the shapely shirt pattern![/img]

Jane in KC · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 6:41 pm Post subject:

Hi, Colleen - I've used that brand of pattern in the past, although not the ones you mentioned. To be honest, I thought they were just sort of "big," if you know what I mean.

It isn't that I'm not big enough for them, unfortunately, but I did not feel they had sufficient style to make them worthwhile. I guess when I spend money on great fabric and then spend the time it takes me to sew something up (I'm VERY slow!), I want to end up with a pretty or classy garment, not just something that goes around me without binding.

Of course you have to understand that I'm kind of borderline tubby, just like I'm borderline short. I've found that means I just have to work harder to get the look I like; it doesn't mean I can't use regular patterns. I hope that makes sense. JMO.

I sure don't consider myself a "savvy sewer," but I do love fabric and patterns and sewing. Thanks for starting this forum. I've always had a great deal of respect for the people who work at SB, and it's great to have another opportunity to profit from their expertise.

Lois · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:56 pm Post subject: Petite Patterns

I am not a Petite so I don't have personal experience. However I have talked to several women who have used the Petite Burda patterns, both the packaged patterns and from the magazine Burda World of Fashion. They have very good luck with the fit and I love the styles. I've seen a few I'd like to grade up to a standard misses size because design lines. They always have several seams allowing for fine tune on fit.

Colleen · Sawyer Brook Staff Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 17

Thanks for your imput and advice Jane and Lois!

The 2 patterns havent come yet, but I saw the Shapely Shirt made up on the Petite Plus site and it was very cute. The skort I picked up because I love skorts, but I prefer a wrap front, so Carole is going to work wtih me to modify that one! I have an old Talbots denim wrap skort--one of my fav's--we can use that as a model.

We get the Burda book here, I will have to look at it more closely! I did feel that of the Burda pattern mags I have seen, that they follow the fashion trends very closely. For years everyone here has raved about the Burda patterns for fit.

Jane in KC · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 11:51 pm Post subject:

Hehehe - Now I will have to look at their skort pattern! My daughter lives in Florida, and for at least three years now she has gotten me to make her skorts to wear to work.

When we first started this, I thought, "No problem." I have PMB (Pattern Master Boutique) and figured I could use it for the skort. However, their skort pattern uses the wrap-front and Missy wanted just a plain front skirt attached to the shorts at the invisible zip in the CB seam. There weren't any options for different style skirts in PMB for the skort, so I ended up just making a pattern from an old skort Missy sent me. Then, by the time the next year rolled around, I had managed to lose the pattern! So I got some practice doing it all over again.

But I really would love to have a REAL pattern that meets her requirements, so as I say, I'll have a look. We just feel that the wrap skirt is a bit more "sporty" than the plain one, although both are nice. Not having a decent pattern hasn't kept me from buying several pieces of pretty cotton and Lycra from SB and putting them aside for skorts. Wink

Jane in KC · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 10:02 am Post subject:

Well, I did look at the skort pattern, but although it isn't a wrap, it doesn't have the skirt all round, either, so it wouldn't work for our needs. (I guess their reasoning is that they are trying to offer a pattern to help disguise the tummy.)

One thing I did remember as I looked again through their patterns, though, is that the necklines are very nice. They are varied, but not excessively wide or deep. I appreciate that because for some reason, the big three patterns have become progressively bad about that. Maybe I'm just being an "old lady" about this, but I like a little modesty! Of course, I expect another reason for my "prejudice" is that my lifestyle is so devoid of "occasion" dressing where a revealing neckline might be more expected.

alexa · Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Benicia, CA

I have many of the Petite Plus Patterns and I love them. My favorites are the jeans and jeans jacket. My friends can't believe that I've sewn my outfits myself. PPP are easy to understand and easy to sew. When I get stuck, I can call PPP and Kathleen answers my questions and works out my problem with me. Most importantly, PPP fit me - I'm 5'2" and definitely a plus size. No more Vogue, McCalls or any of the others for me. Also, PPP are flattering. I've discovered you can be plump and look OK if your clothes fit nicely.
Alexa