But again this doesn’t make for 100% accuracy. We used Kasi’s French curve for the first time, which was exciting and made joining the dots on a curve much easier and accurate than by hand. Then it was just a matter of joining the dots. The cross marks a turn in the pattern and a dot for a continuous line. Each line has a corresponding number which explains at what number along the strip to make a mark in the pattern fabric. In order to mark out the shape, the tape measure is lined against a line on the diagram. The square diagram is covered in small lines which extend from the very centre, each with a number and a dot or cross mark. We lined the square diagram with the straight edge of our toile. These long strips correspond to a different size, and were used to plot the dots on our pattern fabric. We started by cutting out the square diagram with the basic outline of the front and back garment pieces, and pages and pages of measurement strips which we had to cut and stick together. So, after a delicious home cooked meal (made by the lovely Kasi) and glass of wine, we thought we tackle this pattern and make a solid start. So using a lutterloh pattern requires at least a basic understanding of garment construction. Once the pattern is drawn and cut out, then it is case of working out what to sew first. And did I mention there are no instructions? No seriously, no instructions apart from the initial instructions which only explain how to mark out the pattern pieces. This is nothing like the patterns we are so used to sewing with, and weren’t sure how it would all come together. It certainly wasn’t what we were expecting! Once payment had been made, the ‘pattern’ was emailed to us, downloaded and printed. Until Kasi bought a digital copy of this pattern, we had never encountered anything like it before. Kasi and I have begun our work on the lutterloh ‘1930s day dress with collar ties’ pattern, as a part of our 2015 Vintage Sewing Pattern Pledge.

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