Feedback for a new idea....

[Abigail]

Ok, so its not really a new idea, I've done it before, but I am tweaking it a bit.

A couple years ago I did ebay auctions for custom bodice kits. After the auction, I email the winner a measurement chart. They fill it out and send it back with payment.

I then drafted cut out the bodice and lining in their size, send it along with grommets, boning and directions. All they had to do was sew it together.

I am tihnking of doing it again, but this time only for a muslin. Ok, not a muslin, I'll make it from Canvas, and include a dozen pieces of boning, and a fistfull of grommets. Oh, and the directions.

I know alot of wenches have a hard time finding a bodice pattern in their size or deciefering the damned directions. The pattern I concocted is so easy my friends 8 year old put a bodice together and hte directions are in ENGLISH, not Sewing-ese.

Ideas? Input? How much would you pay for this marvel? $25.00? $30.00? $40.00?? a million dollars??

I do a bodice workshop once a year for my local SCA group and it's $10.00, all the participants need to bring is 2 paper grocery bags, scissors, measuring tape, paper, pen, and 2 yards of canvas. And i have my friend the boning lady come along and help measure everyone and she sells boning. And I sell my handout and my knowledge. Afterall, when you make 300 bodices in one year, there is something REALLY wrong with you, or you are a wench....

Abigail,
who took her sewing machine to the shop today...

[moira]

i know a couple of people who'd buy em... not me of course, i suck at sewing anything more than a skirt... and besides, i'll just buy the perfect completed ones from you... what happened to your machine? did it get an ouchie?

moira

[Robin]

I know that I'd probably buy one, to get the sewing experience. I've just done some bloomers and a couple of chemises so far(besides several of the drawstring bags that I posted about earlier.) The hardest part is deciphering the directions, because I don't understand Sew-ese yet :P

I don't think I'd mind paying around $30, I'd have to really think about it, if it was more than that...but maybe, if the fabric was cute :)

[Mermaid]

If your workshop is $10 and they supply the canvas, boning and grommets---I would think the minimum you should charge would be $25!

And for those of us that do sew, and just like to get more and more and more patterns (for the closet full of fabric ya know)--think about that, if this pattern is so simple so easy.......I'd be interested just in your pattern!(especially since there is less of me than when I got 2 Pendragon bodices and made 3 others.....I'm thinking there are new bodices in my future!)

Merm

[Abigail]

i know a couple of people who'd buy em... not me of course, i suck at sewing anything more than a skirt... and besides, i'll just buy the perfect completed ones from you... what happened to your machine? did it get an ouchie?

moira

I've been power sewing!!! After the 10 linen tunics.... it was time for a tune up.

then back to the regular scheduled crack monkey sewing!!!



Abigail

[Nevada]

Sounds like a good idea to me...I am currently attempting to draft/alter a bodice pattern being one of those fluffy all around wenches that pattern makers seem to have forgotten exist....

[Beatriz]

It would definately be something I'd be interested in trying, especially if the price was right.

Suggestion for pricing: Figure out how much it costs you in materials. Figure out how much time it will take for you to draft the pattern/muslin. Play around with the prices you're considering and make sure that you won't be working for $.75 an hour!

Another thing to consider: will you provide sewing support?

[Abigail]

It would definately be something I'd be interested in trying, especially if the price was right.


Another thing to consider: will you provide sewing support?

Like a 24 hour phone support? Probably not, but email yes.

My pattern is damned easy to follow, no darts, no princess seams, no tucks or shirring.

Its two seams (one under each arm) and you line it (4 seams if you sew the shoulders shut instead of grommeting the shoulders).

The price for the dummy pattern is minimal since I buy canvas by the bolt for all sorts of fun projects.

If there are enough wenches here in San Diego who are interested in a workshop, I can do one. Not at my house, since I haven't alot of room, but I'll be doing one at an SCA war in May in San Diego, and probably in the fall too.

Abigail

[vanessa]

I would definitely be interested in something along these lines.... would there be a variety on the bodice line, the length, the shoulders (other than the grommet or sewn closed), etc.?

[Abigail]

I would definitely be interested in something along these lines.... would there be a variety on the bodice line, the length, the shoulders (other than the grommet or sewn closed), etc.?

My class handout which is part of hte directions has a section on how to use the bodice pattern for an Irish dress Or and Italian gown.

As for variety on the bodice line, do you mean pointed in front a la Eliz. vs. straight flat front like German and Flemish styles? If so yes, I make the bodice pattern pointed, but you can always either cut the point off or fold it to the waist line (marked on pattern) to make it a front front. As for the "neck" or would you call it boob line of the bodice, the directions tell you how to make the front "taller". BTW for those of you who don't sew, the answer is to just cut the neck higher than the pattern (You can move the pattern up after you have cut the arm curve and the top of the front strap to make the neckline higher if you feel uncomfortable cutting without a patten) . DO NOT MAKE THE FRONT STRAPS LONGER. Experienced seamstresses, don't laugh. Alot of people think thats how its done.


The should variations, are you suggesting sleeves? I don't do sleeves and since they require a completely different set of measurements and directions, if I did include them I would charge more. I have made sleeves for a couple of my personal bodices and while they look nice and are pretty easy to make, they require fitting by another set of hands. But that IS a good excuse to have a stitch and bitch....

Shoulder rolls and tabs (both waist tabs and shoulder tabs) are kinda an advanced sewing topic, and hard to convey the directions without using alot of sewing jargon, and this kit is based on a need for beginners, I would leave them out.

If you sohuld require those, I would ask to borrow the Alter years pattern for the backlace bodicefrom a friend who has one. DO NOT use the pattern, the waist is really long and so is the back, and it gives you funny looking boobs, but the Directions for shoulder rolls and epaulets (tabs) are AWESOME. But they use sewing jargon, so if you are a new sewer, I would reccommend having a more advanced wench help you. Or be prepared to make a couple muslins (trust me, when I first started I messed up a $50.00 piece of brocade. "muslin, we don't need no stinking muslin")

This was long winded, but hopefully it helps. I want to help wenches make nice bodices, especially beginners who think its hard, just because a bodice costs $70-100.00. (It's all skill, which can usually be learned)

When I got my 1st bodice from Chivalry sports 8 years ago, I looked at it, and realised I could make one too. How hard could two layers of fabric, a fistful of grommets and 2 pieces of 1/4 inch boingn be? (BTW, don't use 1/4 inch EVER. 1/ 2 inch or wider ALL THE WAY) So I made a pattern based on that bodice, made ALOT of changes, looked at other commerical patterns, borrowed some ideas and started making bodices. some were bad, some were totally cool.

Its all about learning....


And having BOOBIES....


Abigail

[lauradake]

*nod* I've had pretty bad luck with the Alter Years' bodices, as well. Their sizes seem to be off (according to their measurements I should be a size 8--and when I make and 8 it's WAY TOO BIG) and they just don't have the lines that I really like.

Sewing is all about experimentation. One of the biggest hurdles for a beginning sewer is to venture out beyond the pattern, to experiment, to try stuff out. But that's also the best way to learn--and to end up with some really kewl garb. :)

Abby--I hope the bodice thing works out! I know a lot of wenches (and non-wenches!) would really benefit from it. My only concern would be the grommets--can you set them without the little grommet anvil, or would they have to purchase that seprately?

[Kiza]

I apologize for going off topic here, but I have a question.

My only concern would be the grommets--can you set them without the little grommet anvil, or would they have to purchase that seprately?

How do you work the little grommet tool? I've been really successful with getting the grommets set, but I can't figure out to get that darn thing to work. I usually end up beating them into place with some other blunt object and I'm pretty sure I waste a lot of time that way.

Kiza
#1523

[lauradake]

How do you work the little grommet tool? I've been really successful with getting the grommets set, but I can't figure out to get that darn thing to work. I usually end up beating them into place with some other blunt object and I'm pretty sure I waste a lot of time that way.

Kiza
#1523

Kiza--

I use the setting die/hammer method for my grommets, as shown here:

http://www.grannd.com/eyelet_grommet_setting.shtml

You can get a setting die for about $20 or so from Grannd Garb and other vendors, and it's well worth the investment. I do NOT advise using the plier method--especially the Dritz sets you can get at most major craft and fabric stores. Your grommets will pop very quickly.

I've yet to have a grommet pop using the die/hammer method (at least that anyone's told me about!). :)

Happy grommeting!

-L

[Kiza]

Thanks, Laura! I've been a bit skeptical of the plier method and have been avoiding it. The setting die/hammer method appears to be much more efficent than using found objects once I've had it with the little metal thingy that comes with the grommets. I've got the page bookmarked and can't wait to try it using "real" tools!

Kiza
#1523

['Nise]

Kiza: you might want to invest in their gromets as well b/c the Drizt cheap stuff can leave sharp edges where you wish them the least.



:thinking:
ever notice makeing patterns lis a lot like drafting building plans?

'Nise

[Ysobelle]

:thinking:
ever notice makeing patterns lis a lot like drafting building plans?

'Nise

That's why we call it "drafting" a pattern, and say we "construct" or "build" a show.

Who says the scenic designers should have all the techie fun?

[Tempest_Gypsy]

That's why we call it "drafting" a pattern, and say we "construct" or "build" a show.

Who says the scenic designers should have all the techie fun?

As a scenic designer, I can tell you, I'm not having much fun right now! My show opens next Wedensday and I have had no help painting the set, and barely any constructing it! Stupid TD had to quit in the middle of my shows build and leave me in charge of it!

ARGH!!!! :augh: Everyone wish me luck and patience until the show opens. I think I'm gonna need it.

Oh, and to be on topic for a moment, I agree that 'drafting' is an appropriate term for making a pattern!

Just because I can wield a framing nailer with the best doesn't mean I'm not equally good with my sewing machine! :wink:

[Abigail]

My only concern would be the grommets--can you set them without the little grommet anvil, or would they have to purchase that seprately?

They will have to purchase one seperately, since I bought mine in town at a tack shop, but in the handout its got info on where to buy supplies like grommets and boning.

I'm spoiled b/c my grommet supplier is about 3 miles from home, and my friend sells boning.

Abby