27 Nov Kimono Twist – First Sample

This is where it all started: The Dolman Coat. Inspired by a Yamamoto garment: the pattern making instructions were developed for a loose fit kimono block. For this sample I have used a polar fleece and for winter that makes it seriously snuggles. ;)
This weeks #PatternPuzzle was about targeting another of my favourite Erte designs and bringing this inspiration up-to-date. As it turns out this is a truly challenging style. I know I made at least two mistakes in putting these pattern making instructions together. So please forgive any other errors you may find. And because of its complexity, I imagine I would have to produce at least 2-3 toiles/muslins to really get the design and fit to work well before attempting in final cloth.
So it's a weird one this week. Over sixty years old and born of a time that valued efficiency in manufacture over effective use of resources. Patent #2,454,208, invented by Ruth E Richman in 1946, was filed as:
'An object of the invention is to simplify the manufacture of blouses, coats and similar garments by constructing them from a blank consisting of a single piece of material.'
Looking a lot like an origami bat, this weeks self-drafted #PatternPuzzle comes from some of the greatest minds of the 1960's - the inventors filing patents for the next best thing in clothing production. July 2019 - this pattern is now available as a PDF download on this website - The Patent Blouse Sizes XS-XXL
The #PatternPuzzle from last Saturday had a combination of mostly recognisable pieces, then at the bottom of the image that one rogue pattern that is so simple it could almost be anything. Our puzzlers made short work of the top two pattern pieces and fell silent. Many hours later, and after a quick prompt from us Evelyn and Mioara finished the puzzle off very quickly.
Many thanks to all the regular puzzlers, new puzzlers and the rest of our audience for coming by every Saturday to share the fun.