70327 pg014

Modelling basie blocks

3’oc<s. aiso krowo as sheUj or templates. are shaped Dy mampulating fabric or pape^r to the contours of the dress stand. This prowdes a basie pattern which may be develc<>ed into different garment ccsigns The fabric <y oapor shape is theo transferred to firm plastic or card to make a permaneni tompato 'er futu'e use

Not every ncw gorrrent design needs to be mcdeled from tho bognnmg. Most styles develop from o oasic dontity. featuring carts o* oanol Imes. and roquire only minor changes such as a dfforont necklire. fastemng or hem length For many dostgns. the time taken to repeat the basie garment shape can be savod by stanmg from one of the primary blocks A set of pnmary blocks mcludes front and back bodice; sleevo; and front ano back skirt. each of which lends itself to many vanations

Main points to remember when modelling a set of interchangeable primary blocks:

Tho sieeves must f»t the bodice armnoles Tho bodice and skirt waistlmos most match Tho v%aist of a fitted skirt i$ rot the same as tho lower half of a dress with a waisttme seam. the latter is looser

Most garmert design* are symmetrical and aro mede led on one half (the oght hard side) of the stand Th«s producos a hal‘-pattern which. when cut in double fabne. fits both sides of the body Asymmetric styles ano modelling directly ir the fma fabne demand the use of both sdes of the dress stand.

The Figures given in tho exorcises in ihts book use standard size 12 Please tefer to the s<ze charts for all other sizos.