The Sewing Place

Rulers and Curves

Sewbee

Rulers and Curves
« on: December 04, 2017, 14:22:59 PM »
I had a terrific set of French curves and rulers for pattern drafting in the USA. Most were by Fairgate and were metal. What is a good brand to buy here and where can you buy them? I know it pays to buy good quality rulers. I don't mean the substance they are made of so much as the curves themselves.

UttaRetch

Re: Rulers and Curves
« Reply #1 on: December 04, 2017, 17:10:57 PM »
Mine aren't metal, but I have this



patternmaster from Morplan and this


also bought from Morplan, but it is no longer on the stock list.  Morplan has bricks and mortar shops and maybe there is one that you can visit.


Sewbee

Re: Rulers and Curves
« Reply #2 on: December 04, 2017, 17:44:32 PM »
Mine aren't metal, but I have this



patternmaster from Morplan and this


also bought from Morplan, but it is no longer on the stock list.  Morplan has bricks and mortar shops and maybe there is one that you can visit.

Thanks, Utta. Should I buy metric or imperial measurements for the UK?

BrendaP

Re: Rulers and Curves
« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2017, 17:47:06 PM »
Thanks, Utta. Should I buy metric or imperial measurements for the UK?

If you usually measure in inches buy imperial, if you measure in cm buy metric.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Sewbee

Re: Rulers and Curves
« Reply #4 on: December 04, 2017, 17:48:54 PM »
I did find this on Amazon UK but I think the Patternmaster one looks more useful. Also I can't tell for sure but I think this one is metric.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01IQ6ZOLE/ref=ox_sc_act_image_3?smid=A1Z76ETO4Q9H8Z&psc=1
« Last Edit: December 04, 2017, 17:52:02 PM by Sewbee »

Sewbee

Re: Rulers and Curves
« Reply #5 on: December 04, 2017, 17:51:25 PM »
If you usually measure in inches buy imperial, if you measure in cm buy metric.

This will be tough because I have - so far - a mixture of Liesl & Co., StyleArc and Cashmerette patterns. Liesl is from USA, StyleArc from Australia (but purchased on Amazon UK) and I think Cashmerette is American but I purchased it here.  :\

BrendaP

Re: Rulers and Curves
« Reply #6 on: December 04, 2017, 20:22:55 PM »
Also I can't tell for sure but I think this one is metric.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01IQ6ZOLE/ref=ox_sc_act_image_3?smid=A1Z76ETO4Q9H8Z&psc=1

It says "1/8" calibrations on one edge and two sides " so it's imperial.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

BrendaP

Re: Rulers and Curves
« Reply #7 on: December 04, 2017, 20:33:52 PM »
I have - so far - a mixture of Liesl & Co., StyleArc and Cashmerette patterns.

A pattern is a pattern and it doesn't really matter whether the designer used metric or imperial.  You use/start with whatever length the pattern happens to be.  Seam allowances are typically 5/8" or  16mm.  Actually 5/8" = 0.625" = 15.875mm.  The difference of 0.125mm is barely the thickness of a thread and would be swallowed up by the thickness of the cutting line - not to mention your ability to cut fabric that accurately. 

If you are used to using imperial measurements go for one marked in inches, eigths of an inch etc.  If you are used to working with metric measurements go for a metric one with cm and mm.  If you are bi-lingual with measuring (bi-measural? -<) then it really doesn't matter.  Just be sure to use the same system if you are trying to match two different curves for length.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Sewbee

Re: Rulers and Curves
« Reply #8 on: December 04, 2017, 21:11:52 PM »
It says "1/8" calibrations on one edge and two sides " so it's imperial.

Thanks, Brenda. I didn't see that. Not having a very good day today, am I! ;)

Ohsewsimple

Re: Rulers and Curves
« Reply #9 on: December 04, 2017, 22:25:14 PM »
Bi-measural, nice one Brenda P.   :)
I personally find drafting and altering much easier in metric.  But I have rulers with both. 

Greybird

Re: Rulers and Curves
« Reply #10 on: December 04, 2017, 22:56:23 PM »

maliw

Re: Rulers and Curves
« Reply #11 on: December 05, 2017, 09:22:53 AM »
I got mine from Fred Aldous - the Pattern Maker. Was a lot cheaper than elsewhere but I don't use it that much.
https://www.fredaldous.co.uk/collections/textile-craft/products/pattern-maker-metric
I'm sure mine's Imperial but can't find that one??
At leisure on the leisure penninsula

Tamnymore

Re: Rulers and Curves
« Reply #12 on: December 05, 2017, 11:30:53 AM »
BTW if any of you are coming into Manchester for the Christmas markets it is definitely worth a visit to the craft emporium that is Fred Aldous on the corner of Stevenson Square. It's also very near Abakhan.  :devil: In fact  I would just come into Manchester for Fred Aldous and Abakhan and not bother with the Christmas markets.  :D :D

Brenda, I'm loving all those decimal places!
« Last Edit: December 05, 2017, 11:33:37 AM by Tamnymore »
'One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art.' Oscar Wilde

sewingj

Re: Rulers and Curves
« Reply #13 on: December 05, 2017, 11:44:57 AM »
I`ve got the Sew Easy french curve but haven`t got a clue how to use it and am not sure why I bought it!  I sometimes plonk it down if I am trying to change a seamline but suspect I could do it by eye just as well.

I need a Dummies Guide to Using a French Curve ("everything you need to know about a french curve but were afraid to ask")

b15erk

Re: Rulers and Curves
« Reply #14 on: December 05, 2017, 12:06:21 PM »
This video by Peggy Sagers should help.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUG3P31BqNw

Peggy uses her French curve all the time, and is a very useful bit of kit.

Hope it helps you SJ.

Jessie
Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.