Master List: Garments you can make from commercial patterns with little modification
I’ll update this as I remember to.
I’ve talked about it before, but it’s a good idea, when making your first lolita dress, to find an existing dress by a major lolita brand, and copy as much of that detailing as you can. How to apply lolita detailing is a skill that you have to learn, and learning by copying is a well-established practice. The first time you draw a human, you use a model. This doesn’t mean you’re not an artist. The first time you make a lasagna, you use a recipe. This doesn’t mean you’re not a cook. If you use a reference garment the first time you make a lolita dress, it doesn’t mean you’re not a designer.
So here’s my current favorite patterns, and then I’ll go into some garments you can make with these patterns by just copying the trim and fabric choices (and occasional small adjustments like changing out a ribbon bow for a fabric one, etc, omitting waist ties, etc)
The main patterns that I find that are particularly useful for lolita, in no particular order:
Cosplay by McCall’s Manikin M2035: Narrow-strap JSK with back shirring and tiered skirt, overskirt with optional boning (worn to give bustle effect in the back); blouse with flat collar, front tucks, and back lacing. Also instructions for a scarf in case you don’t know how to sew a rectangle.
<Edit: I had Simplicity 8671 in here for dresses, but couldn’t find good examples of that cut in actual lolita, so that was about 2 hours of work for nothing (I’m on hour 7 of writing this post as of the time of this edit). However, since I reference the blouse down below, here’s the image
Simplicity 8761 is a high-waist dress with either a sailor collar or a V-cut princess seam front, and a high back. Pattern also includes a simple sheer blouse>
Simplicity 8444: The infamous Simplicity 8444. Two princess-seamed JSK patterns with full back shirring. One has front opening for front bustle, and shirred center front underbust. Two blouse cuts with standing collar and lace back. Bustled underskirt has ruffles only on front half, and attaches with fabric ties.
I’ve tried to use this pattern before and if you’re having trouble with it, it’s the pattern, not you. Was released with the now out-of-print accessory pattern. The accessory pattern is utter garbage in all views. This pattern is slightly controversial and if you love drama, you should check out the story behind it. This pattern was “designed” by the same woman who did 8671, and if you’re wondering how her knowledge of lolita got significantly better all of a sudden, it’s because these designs are stolen. Major pattern houses often steal designs from major designers, and that’s legal, but it’s emotionally much worse when they’re stealing from indie designers.
This is getting long, and I haven’t even gotten to dresses that match these patterns, so here’s a jump to save your dash:
stormborns
yousharknotpass
snowghoul
theartofmadeline
kaledo-art
andulkaphoto
vaporwave
areudirty
