Friday, January 14, 2011

365gratitude: Thank you, Lynda ...

365gratitude: Thank you, Lynda ...: "Today I sent a thank you note to a woman named Lynda, who creates magic. Dear Lynda, About eight years ago, I walked down the aisle in wh..."

Monday, January 10, 2011

Marfy Patterns from Italy

I'm still amazed by the number of people (clients as well as seamstresses and dressmakers) who have no knowledge of Moda Marfy, a high fashion Italian paper pattern company.  I'm not denying that the designs require more than a passing knowledge of clothing construction - there are no layouts, no construction instructions, and a very strange translation of the few English words that do appear on the pattern pieces.  Added to these considerable hurdles, there is no picture of the garment included with the pattern and - horror of horrors - yardages are given in meters.  All of this is preceded by a long wait for the patterns to be shipped from Italy, though ordering, at least, is easy online.  But I gladly cast aside these issues in order to work with these interesting and often intricate Italian designs.  Take a moment to check them out sometime at the website below, or at http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/ under "other patterns".  If you're really wowed, spring the $50 for a seasonal catalog to see the additional patterns that are not available online.  The catalogs usually come with 10 free patterns - but be forewarned!  The 10 patterns are considerately printed with all available sizes, but they are printed one style over another with all 10 designs printed on just two sheets of pattern paper!  Sometimes a challenge is good.  Sometimes it's just a headache - literally.  But in the end, the desire to produce these beautiful styles wins out, and I know my clients are grateful.



Just four of the many Marfy styles I've used.