By popular demand, and an apparent need, I am scheduling a tutorial next week — July 14th, Tuesday — for absolute beginners to both sewing and Lolita Fashion. This will be live on my Twitch channel.
I have purchased this pattern in both available size ranges and will be tracing size 14 — leaving the pattern uncut to be able to use the pattern in all available graded sizes.
Some notes on this pattern:
The sample on the front of the envelope reads more like a costume, and this is pretty much agreed upon by most of the Lolita community familiar with Simplicity and their attempts to recreate our beloved fashion. Rick rack and raschel lace are mostly big no-nos in the fashion itself, and I would advise against using these for trim.
That said, finding appropriate trim can be difficult in big local stores like Joann’s and Hobby Lobby (in the US). The best I’ve been able to find have been places like Etsy, eBay, and Aliexpress. Try the former two options first.
Laces and trims you’ll want to look for include: venice, cluny, eyelet, mesh lace, net lace, galloon eyelet, embroidered lace, chemical lace, water soluble lace.
We will be focusing primarily on the jumperskirt, not the blouse. If there is enough interest, we could do a separate tutorial for the blouse as well.
We’ll be going over…
- How to read the envelope
- How to choose the correct size
- How to read the instructions
- How to interpret the pattern
- Basic stitches
- Construction
- Finishing
Tools and notions needed
- Fabric: 2 yards (for size 14 JSK)
- Contrast Fabric: 1/2 yard
- Lining: 1/2 yard
- Interfacing: 1 1/8 yards of lightweight fusible (I prefer shapeflex, or anything woven or knit rather than non-woven)
- Trim for JSK (Optional)
- Matching Thread
- 3 1/4 yards of 1/4” elastic
Some thoughts…
There are some questionable things about this pattern that I feel obliged to mention. Controversy surrounding Simplicity and their methods, which involved buying products during a Rufflecon event (from indie sellers and designers) with the intention of deconstruction for creation of patterns. The original designers (for the accessories, or even the pink macaron fabric used in the sample) were not credited.
The macaron fabric print is designed by Ambur Hubbard (espressobug) on Spoonflower, and can be purchased there. I highly encourage everyone to support this brilliant artist.
I’ve chosen to use this pattern due to its accessibility and range of sizes. Not everyone has the wherewithal to use Otome no Sewing patterns, and I want to be sure that everyone coming into this hobby has a fair chance to learn. We’re starting where we all started — at the very beginning. This is how my mother was taught, this is how I was taught, and this is how I will teach you.
Have patience, and take it one step at a time. There are no shortcuts, but there might be a few interesting tricks to learn. ❤
