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TheSloperLady
By Lauraline Grosenick,
CADTERNS Custom Clothing Inc.
http://www.cadterns.com
Q: Where can I get a sloper that will fit me?
A: Think first - when you picture a sloper, what does your mind's eye see?
A) Drafting paper and tools, pencils and erasers with a series of
mathematical and geometrical calculations and procedures to follow?
B) A neutral coloured illustration of a very plain basic dress on the
envelope of a tissue-paper pattern complete with instructions on how to sew
and fit it?
C) Computer patternmaking software for which you enter personal measurements
and get back details on the size and placement of lines and arcs to draft
the sloper either manually at a table or digitally at a computer?
D) Computer program that asks for your measurements and draws the sloper,
ready for you to print?
E) Stepping through a charged field in order to have all measurements taken
and slopers drawn, ready to carry away and use?
F) None of the above?
Each of these is a valid way in which to get a personal sloper drafted just
for you. The right way for YOU to do it may be a different way from the
right way for your friend to proceed. Note that it is tempting to describe
one system as better than another once one of you have achieved success.
What this more likely shows is that since different people have different
comfort zones it is important for each of us to find our own.
By all means work with a successful friend who will be a good
mentor-assistant on her choice while still basking in the glow of her
success. If you are not comfortable with computers and you are comfortable
with math, you would probably be more comfortable and therefore more
successful and satisfied with drafting the sloper using measurements,
formulae and defined procedures yourself.
Drafting isn't the only method used by all people in need of a sloper. The
classic method that has been used much longer than drafting a sloper is
draping it directly on the client or on their dressform. There are even more
definitions of fit and more ways to get slopers. Here we will limit
discussion to the main methods of drafting a sloper and pinch-fitting the
details. (Pinch-fitting resembles a last stage in draping, sometimes
referred to as tweaking or fine-tuning.)
Remember -
If it's worth sewing, it's worth sewing well;
and if it's worth sewing well, it's worth Fitting FIRST!
'Til next time then,
TSL (TheSloperLady)
Definitions:
Glossary of Terms
Articles:
Sloper Talk - Preamble
Slopers 101: "What is a sloper?"
Slopers 102: "Why would I want one?"
"Where can I get a sloper that will fit me?"
"How many measurements does it take to get a perfect sloper?"
"How CAN you tell when you’re done?"
"How can you use your fitted sloper to fit other patterns?"
"How can we make new patterns from our fitted slopers?"
Sloper Home
Biography
Lauraline Grosenick holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of
Alberta. She has taught secondary high school and adult education sewing and
patternmaking for more than 20 years in both private and classroom settings.
Teaching was one constant but not her only professional activity. While
free-lancing in theatre costuming, Lauraline designed and produced Growin'
Ups(TM) - a line of children's wear, using cottage industry manufacturing
strategy. As a pioneer of CAD for clothing, Lauraline initiated and
continues in the development and application of CADTERNS(R) Custom
Patternmaking Program - computer software for personal patternmaking. She
has published several small Computer Assisted Patternmaking booklets to
accompany custom patternmaking software.
CADTERNS is a personal patternmaking program for IBM and compatible
computers. It enables anyone to draft personal Ready-to-Style(R) slopers
(basic patterns) for the purpose of modifying existing patterns to fit or
styling new ones. CADTERNS Slopers can be made for any female figure ranging
from 4'1" to 6'8" in height and from 27" to 68" at bust or hip. Slopers for
skirt, pant, bodice, blouse and sheath can be calculated in mere seconds!
Every pattern made from a personal sloper is a pre-fitted personal pattern.
Do check out CADTERNS home page at http://www.cadterns.com. At this Website
you will find a wealth of information about personal slopers including
on-line lessons on personal patternmaking.
Having taught in a wide range of communities from isolated and remote
locations to large urban centres, Lauraline is pleased to add anywhere in
the world including a-computer-near you through the WWW as her current
classroom.
Lauraline AKA TheSloperLady
CADTERNS Custom Clothing Inc.
http://www.cadterns.com
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