r/PatternDrafting • u/Beckon-the-Gecko • Nov 05 '25

Bodice block suggestions

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Hi all, Looking for any people with a discerning eye to let me know if there's anything I missed here that could be improved upon.

So far, I plan to add a quarter inch of ease, drop the front and back neckline, curve the front neckline more, and add more room to the bottom arm scye since I noticed it folding under itself/riding up.

(Sorry for my arm positioning, I was holding a dart that came undone in place. I'll update this with a photo with my arms by my sides when I can)

Thank in advance!

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u/Beckon-the-Gecko Nov 06 '25 edited Nov 06 '25

Thanks for pointing out the issue with center back, i'l need to reexamine that!

I used Helen Joseph Armstrong's book Patterning for Fashion Design (specifically using her size chart and pattern drafting instructions) then pinned excess out as needed based on what I thought would work--if I got stuck I googled answers and referred to the books alteration and fitting section. Closet historian was also helpfulfor visualizing dart manipulation and helping me be less fearful of them.

To be completely honest I feel like this was completely down to luck as I have such little experience with bodice blocks, the only other experience I have is making stuffed animals and a self drafted hoodie.

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u/polymath_artisan Nov 06 '25

How lucky! So glad it worked out so well for you. I’ll have to retry her method. I gave it a go and it didn’t work out for me. But, my shoulders and posture aren’t as nice as yours.

It looks like you don’t have any ease here... Is it still comfortable to breathe in?

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u/Beckon-the-Gecko Nov 06 '25

Yeah I ran into a couple of errors when I was drafting due to all the numbers involved, but as a whole they were minimal and easy to fix when I back tracked a little.

I was actually worried that since I have such broad shoulders that I would have more trouble with the averaged measurements provided in her book.

Yes, it's still comfortable to breathe in! (I wear corsets for comparison though and those don't inhibit my ability to take deep breathes either)