Why and How to Make a Toile

[@suewilbur504]

Time spent working on a toile is never time wasted. Thanks for such great tips.

[@sandrarj6429]

Thank you so much for this. I've been sewing for nearly 50 years and just cut out my first toile last week. This is so helpful, I am learning so much. I love listening to your inspirational presentations.

[@annakramar5088]

Impressive Sandra sewing for 50yrs. I've just started sewing, making heaps of mistakes, but learning a bit each time. I agree these videos are a great help.😊

[@sandrarj6429]

@@annakramar5088 Thanks Anna, I come from a family of dressmakers so I was taught by my mum from an early age. I agree that as you get older the patterns need adjusting to suit your changing shape. Last year I cut down a dress I had made about 20 years ago and never wore because it was too small. I sewed it into a fitted blouse with peplum. It had lots of pieces so it took a lot of time. It, also, doesn't fit me. I've learnt the hard way so now I'm going to be using toile first to make the mistakes and fit properly and make adjustments before I start cutting. I don't think I would've worn the blouse in any case as the fabric was dated and not suitable for the pattern I chose. Another subject for discussion. Happy sewing.

[@annakramar5088]

@@sandrarj6429 👗😄

[@helentjackson]

You're so right, I expect it to be magic then I rush it and wonder why I'm disappointed! You have inspired me today, thank you.

[@lenorebaker8147]

This video is exactly where I am in my sewing now. would love to see the same type of video for pants. I love all of your videos

[@amandarichardson1169]

Thank you so much for this. I started sewing again after about 30 years. My body shape has changed and I have felt frustrated at making clothes that don’t fit well. Your video has given me the confidence to do the adjustments that I need.

[@carolhiller1112]

I feel your pain as I too have found the same thing. Getting old is no fun when our bodies change.

[@janetlink9756]

Thankyou for this video. It is really helpful and gives permission to not be a perfectionist on getting the perfect fit which can be so frustrating and time consuming.

[@houseinnorthcarolina9439]

Lucy, This was so helpful. Thank you. Can you explain how to adjust the sleeve head if you have altered the back or front opening at that point? This would be so helpful as well. Suz5

[@elaine58100]

Thank you so much for sharing all your tips etc, so useful. I think we have to have a lot of patience when sewing if you want to make a nice fitting garment. I heard someone say the other day that sewing is 70% preparation and 30% actual sewing - so true. Sewing is the great bit. But also a beautiful garment that fits well and looks good on the inside as well as the inside is a lovely feeling. Plus if someone says to you "I love you dress, blouse, skirt etc" that is such a lovely feeling especially when you say "I made it myself" then all the hard work as been worth while :)

[@traceystewart6232]

You are inspirational….thank you for sharing Lucy!

[@annebrown3538]

I’m making a toile at the moment Lucy as I’m working from a 1940s vintage tea dress style as I’m making my very dear friend’s dress as she’s going to be the mother of the bride, she wanted this style as it’s so elegant but we knew she’d never find one in the shops. It’s also going to be made in velvet. It’s been essential for the fitting and for me to have a practice run. Thank goodness I have because the vintage pattern has certainly been a challenge but at least I feel a sense of achievement 🧵✂️🪡

[@michaelgracewatts2943]

Yes, thank you so much Lucy. I have made toiles in the past but learnt a lot from your video today. Grace

[@annerobinson647]

Thank you. Such useful advice especially for an impatient beginner

[@kimtilley7936]

Fabulous tips, incredibly helpful. Thank you for this clip. I would consider myself as an advanced beginner sewist. Just recently I stepped out of my comfort zone and made a bias evening dress out of silk satin. I made 3 toiles before I cut into that beautiful fabric. I was so happy with the end result. Indeed, taking time and focusing on each stage of alterations on toiles then on the pattern certainly paid off! 😊

[@juliewhitehead4432]

Thanks Lucy. My sewjo has been a bit low lately but this tutorial has fired me up to make a toile for a top I have been putting off for ages. Thanks again Julie.

[@tammymasson2343]

This was brilliant!! I got back into sewing in early 2018, and had no understanding of toiles or how to apply changes to the pattern for future use. Thank you so very much! My husband bought me that Palmer Pletsch book for Christmas! I’m on chapter 12. It’s an incredible book. Your video was perfect timing! And your advice is so very wise! I can see myself not starting because I’m afraid of making mistakes. You gave such a good encouragement!💕

[@maryt2887]

This video was very helpful. I’m just getting used to making toiles, and your suggestion about making one or two adjustments at a time is excellent. I made a pair of pull-on pants and did adjustments for the rise, the hip width, the leg width, and the length all at the same time. I thought I had a good fit, but there were still problems with the rise and the width in my final fabric. Should have made another toile first! The pants were wearable, but I wanted to refine the fitting, and when I looked at the pattern I was so confused by all the changes that I couldn’t remember what needed to be undone and what needed more! So I printed out another copy of the PDF pattern, but have yet to try again.

[@solarwinds-]

When I made my jeans, I started with a toile and the fabric I used was some denim I had purchased years back. I liked the toile so much, it ended up being the actual garment. My jeans look smashing on me. I used my expensive 14 oz. denim to make my mom a jean jacket for her birthday.

[@olddeuteronomy3667]

It is so very helpful to actually see you do the alterations on the toile and pattern. I have the Palmer/Pletsch book but haven't had the courage to try doing alterations. Somehow hearing you say it's okay to make mistakes and play around with trying to make alterations gives me the license to try. Thank you, your enthusiasm is contagious!

[@gerrysiebert8639]

Wonderful info Lucy! I made a toile last week for a coat...never noticed pattern had 2 notches for joining facing to front...as double notches usually mean BACK...you guessed it...sewed front pieces as back pieces!!!. Good thing it was only bedsheet material...I cut one of the notches from the front pattern piece so that I wouldn't repeat this mistake with coat material...so another reason to toile is to catch pattern companies' less than stellar instructions.

[@lizhecht9965]

Thumbs up so many times if I had more than two. Thanks a million. Love the comment about perfection it really can be a mental freezer - thankfully I’ve learnt to free myself in my home creative makes, but at work it can be very different.

[@juliemulie1805]

The Palmer Pletsch book was a game changer for me as well as classes on alterations. Yes, let's keep it fun and rewarding! Wearing two wearable toiles today, one with lots of hidden welt zipper pockets because I was perfecting those at the time (Sewaholic Minoru Jacket).

[@louisethompson2861]

This was brilliant. So useful - thank you Lucy.

[@eileenball3336]

Great video, plenty of useful information not waffle, so very many thanks Lucy.

[@katiegriffin2252]

That was so helpful Lucy. Thank you. I started sewing about 18 months ago. I always make a toile but then I get lost with what alterations to make. I get very overwhelmed with it. So your demonstration was exactly what I needed to see. I will have more confidence next time I give it a try.

[@juliapearlredman2873]

Although I have made toilet in the past I have never really understood how to transfer alterations to the pattern, you have covered that beautifully. Thankyou.

[@elizabethgardner6832]

After making four woven tops, I've come to realize the necessity of making a toile! Otherwise, the darts end up in odd places on me or it's too tight in some areas. Thank you for explaining everything so clearly.

[@judithglavas9030]

I really enjoy your videos. Thank You so much for being there.

[@LeahBZ]

Oh, thank you so so much. Wonderfully helpful video!

[@raquelseydewitz491]

Thanks for sharing

[@quackwrapaquack]

Love your top, Lucy. could you do a tutorial on making it? Love your videos!!

[@marathorne6821]

Today I am looking at a new pattern prior to making a (hopefully) wearable toile, so this video couldn't have come at a better time for me! Thank you so much, Lucy🙏

[@charissecolbert7204]

Thank you for this video, I found it very helpful

[@carollennon3522]

I found this so helpful and encouraging, I’m definitely going to give this a try. Thank you - so useful to me, I get a bit overwhelmed by the thought of the process and end up either losing confidence or just rushing through and consequently being disappointed with the outcome. What i get from this is to enjoy the whole process.

[@theresawagner2642]

Thank you for this. So informative. I usually do make a trial run garment of every new pattern I want to sew. Gives me more confidence in doing the final good fabric garment. Thanks again. Looking forward to your next video.

[@brendacassidy6361]

Very informative and interesting vlog, made it seem a little less scary. I plan this year to try to focus more on fitting so thank you for your time and knowledge 😍

[@janspenno2241]

Really well explained

[@jaynestanton1256]

Great advice! Thank you

[@stephaniemackentyre8829]

Really clear friendly and helpful video for a newbie like me many thanks :-)

[@doreenbradley3849]

These videos are so helpful. Definitely full of sewing goodness!!!! I've just bought the Palmer/Peltch Complete Guide to Fitting on your recommendation. Thanks for all your videos 🙂

[@dianemontavon5670]

Great video, thank you.

[@sandymcculloch5799]

Thank you so much for this video it was very helpful x

[@donnabronner4837]

So helpful. I was going to throw out all of my Style Arc patterns because my failure rate is high with these patterns. I'll toile them now with bigger seam allowances.

[@ynys_mon6928]

Such a helpful vlog.

[@tracycharalambous5223]

Thanks Lucy, once again a great video. I'm a long term beginner. I've been sewing on & off for a few years now but getting more interested in dressmaking. I find the techniques easy to master but fit makes me scratch my head alot. Learning pattern alterations is one thing, knowing what alterations to make for your own body is quite another. Thanks for the tips. X

[@christycampbell1874]

So helpful, Lucy!! I am about to try the Casmerette Roseclaire wrap dress and I now will try the bodice beforehand. Good idea!!

[@elsafischer3247]

Great tutorial thank you

[@livschauclarke4442]

Thank you, you answered a lot of my questions. I am now inspired to hav another look at my first (failed I thought) toile. Perhaps it wasn't so bad after all!

[@livschauclarke4442]

Well, I made one and it turned into a wearable toile!

[@monicaanderson7694]

When making a toile, is it a good idea to sew with a basting stitch to make it easier to open a seam to make adjustments?

[@texasproud8822]

Thank you.

[@clairedriscoll8628]

What a fabulous vlog thank you so much, so informative, would love to see more fitting vlogs like this. Just a quick question could you unpick the toile and use the calico as the pattern pieces Or do you consider it best to transfer to the tissue pattern? My thoughts are for a touser pattern or something like a shift dress x

[@face-in-the-crowd]

Sorry if you already answered this question. Would you then unpick, trim, iron and then use the toile as your new pattern?

[@susanjohnson3973]

💖💖💖💖💖

[@СмиљаЦвијовић]

Pratim a nerazumem nema prevod na srpski smilja c

[@carolhiller1112]

I was told muslin was a good fabric to use.

[@donnacieslik213]

Hello Lucy, thank you so much for sharing your information about toile’s. I have the Palmer Pletsch book from your recommendation in a previous vlog about 18 months ago. It has been a godsend. I am still using it and refer to it all the time. I had not thought of using calico but will be looking at your website for some. Take care. 🧵👋🏻🪡🤗