Monday, April 16, 2012

My First Hot Pattern

I'm probably the last person on earth to try Hot Patterns.  What's not to like?  There is a great variety of designs from current and trendy to timeless and classic.  All designs come in plus sizes. There is even a whole line called "Plain and Simple" which describes my tastes exactly!  I decided it was finally time to try Hot Patterns.

For my first attempt, I chose HP1133:  Plain and Simple Fitted T.  I had over three yards of a knit I didn't like anyway - just in case the pattern didn't work out.  I chose the size based on my measurements and the fit was too awful to photograph.  With the leftover fabric I tried a second shirt two sizes larger and the fit wasn't any better.  The top really needed darts. The fault was not Hot Patterns' though. My body is just not suited for a fitted t-shirt. The fabric was perfect for experimentation so I really didn't mind throwing it away on two poorly fitting t-shirts. And the shirts sewed up very quickly so I didn't waste a lot of time.  There is a Plain and Simple Relaxed T-shirt that I may or may not try.  So far, I haven't warmed up to Hot Patterns.  (warmed up to Hot Patterns - get it?)

I ordered two patterns:  the t-shirt and HP 1120:  Classix Nouveau Primavera dress.  I still want to make the dress before I completely give up on Hot Patterns.  I'm sure I can find some $2.00/yd fabric at JoMar that I would like well enough if the dress works out and that I won't mind getting rid of if it doesn't.  When I read Hot Pattern reviews on PatternReview, they seemed to need lots of tweaking.   Trudy, the designer, always recommends making muslins, but I have been able to get away with not making muslins when I use Burda patterns.  I liked the online support available for HotPatterns on YouTube, but the YouTube support won't matter if I have to spend extra time fitting and making muslins.

I really want to like Hot Patterns.  I'm trying explore other independent patterns and to loosen the ties that bind me to Burda.  But if the dress pattern is as disappointing as the t-shirt pattern, I'll probably end up doing a giveaway.

12 comments:

  1. Elaray, I just made a muslin of HP1107 (Metropolitan Deneuve Tuxedo Shirt/Tunic/Shirtdress). It's not bad but I need to tweak it so it doesn't look so boxy on me.

    For a t-shirt, I think I'm going to give V8151.
    http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8151-products-6657.php?page_id=852

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  2. I didn't warm up to them at all. I saw the designer fitting the pattern to her shape and she did a lot of work. I really want patterns that only need to be tweaked.

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  3. Elaray, I have made two Primavera dresses and love them both BUT please make a muslin (or maybe two) to check the bodice fit. I found the waistline joining seam completely wonky, much higher in front than back. I am not an extremely busty girl either. Also, the shoulder dart seam needed to be tapered more down into the sleeve to avoid a "winged" look. I watched Trudi's You Tube video a couple of times , too. But I did not make the pockets according to her directions. It seemed to pull the skirt to the center when wearing it with the pockets joined.

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  4. At the risk of sounding like a Hot Patterns groupie, I love some of the HP patterns I own. I must admit, I've had some misses, but then, I've had misses with every pattern company. That's more to do with me choosing the wrong styles for my body shape than the patterns themselves. My favourite HP patterns are the Weekender Sunshine Tops and the Marrakesh pants. I'm just about to sew a muslin for the new Essential shift dress. I've got several others in the queue for this winter. Having said that, Burda is truly an excellent pattern line and I have many favourites there, too. It's so good to have the choice, isn't it?

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  5. I have mixed feelings about Hot Patterns. Some things I absolutely love and others, not so much to being awful wadders. My tnt pants pattern is Hot Patterns and I made a the Cote d'Azure t shirt and love it and am planning on making it again. I have the Essential shift dress on my to buy list. I may try this dress pattern after seeing how you make out with it.

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  6. I want to try Hot Patterns as well but IDK, I have a hard time paying full price for a pattern. I'm spoiled by my pattern magazines and years upon years of shopping cheapie Joann's sales by the big four. So when I saw fabric.com had a free download (or five) from Hot Patterns I thought this would be my push. Except that it wasn't. I tried the festival knit top and while it turned out presentable enough for a wear or two, I have a love hate relationship with it.

    Your story isn't adding to my need lol. I'll be saving Hot Patterns for later I'm thinking.

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    1. I also had a hard time paying full price for the two Hot Patterns I bought. The money I spent could have paid for issues of Burda Style Magazine in which I could have had 4 or 5 possible "makes".

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  7. I've tried two of them before. I really wanted to like them, and the style was great. But the fit was so terrible on both of the projects that I never made it past the muslin stage and ended up using entirely different patterns. (For the jacket, the armhole went all the way to the center of my chest, and I couldn't even raise my arms! Which was a bit of a problem, considering I was making a pantsuit for conducting a band in...)

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    1. There seem to be very few ringing endorsements of Hot Patterns. I probably won't be trying another one.

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  8. Hot patterns are a waste of time & money.
    I have tried the cigarette pants & the Artful Dodger Virtue blouse, neither of which looked good on me, but I blamed me.
    Their illustrations are very enticing.
    I contacted them to get some explanation for the Artful Dodger Virtue dress, as none of the bodice pieces were lining up. (I suspect poor pattern grading). They replied on the defensive , with no answers to my questions & disparaging my skill set. Suggested I try Butterick, or some such company.
    For independent pattern companies, I would suggest Colette, or Style Arc.
    I have tossed all 6 of the hot patterns I bought rather than waste my time again.

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  9. I tried the primavera dress and that pattern is not correctly drafted unless you have your boobs on the back. I will never try a HP again and why should I since Burda works really nice for me

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  10. I purchased two Hot Patterns. I just finished the Classix Mouveau Primavera Dress HP 1120. Fortunately I used some cute $1.00 a yard fabric. This pattern required many major adjustments. I measured prior to cutting the pattern size. The V neck is extremely low. You will need a zipper. The gathers on the front of the dress make it fit tightly. I suggest using elastic for ease of fit. The pockets are not traditional and will result in a tight fit under the skirt. The sleeves have a dart at the top so depending on your fabric will cause the sleeve to stick straight out at this area then drop from the end of the dart. The sleeves are also tight fitting so measure the circumference before you cut. The dress sort of looked like the pattern picture. I think fabric choice is important for this one. If you didn't have to make such major adjustments this dress would go together quickly. After this experience, I do not think I will be cutting into the other pattern and won't be buying another Hot Patterns.

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