Optional, but very helpful: several different French Curves, available from office supply shops, and an 18" clear plastic ruler made for sewers and quilters, with measurements marked in 1/8" increments (this can easily be converted into a half-scale "yardstick"). The one I like best is manufactured by Collins. It is marked in a 1/8th inch grid throughout. Purchase some rub-on letter and number sheets from your office supply store. Only the numbers will be used, and they should be very small. Rub on number 1 at the 1/2" mark at left side of ruler; rub on number 2 at the 1" mark; rub on number 3 at the 1 1/2" mark; rub on number 4 at the 2" mark. Continue this process every 1/2" along the ruler. These numbers tend to wear off after repeated use. To protect them, drop a dot of clear fingernail polish over each. Voila! You have just made your own half scale see-through yardstick! I really like the see-through feature, since the marked grid allows me to line up the ruler both vertically and horizontally when drawing lines, and I use this tool more than Studio's triangle ruler. However, both will do exactly the same job.
For this lesson, we will draft a pattern for the KR-6 Knit Contour. Owners of KR-7 units should just draw exactly the same pattern outlines to the left of center 0 as well, making a full, rather than half, pattern outline. We will be using only a half scale ruler throughout, since it automatically converts all measurements into half scale. Absolutely no conversions will be given for using "regular" rulers, since this is too confusing. If using the Studio triangle ruler, use the inch side throughout.
Use a pocket calculator to change fractions into decimals, as follows:
.125 = 1/8 .25 = 1/4 .375 = 3/8 .5 = 1/2
.625 = 5/8 .75 = 3/4 .875 = 7/8
Use a pencil with a good eraser to draft the original lines, and a pen or felt tip marker to go over the finished pattern outline. It helps to be able to erase original guidelines that no longer are needed on the final pattern. Be sure pattern is correct before erasing them or going over final outline with ink.
In order to draft patterns, it is necessary to understand a few terms. These are:
1. Parallel - draw another line above the first exactly the same distance from the original on both ends.
2. Perpendicular - draw a line at right angles to another line. To "square a line" means the same thing.
Go To Drawing the Pattern, Preparing the Schematic
Irene Woods
P.O. Box 637
Wickenburg, AZ 85358
(928) 684-2969
© 1997-2002 by Irene Woods
Email: irenewoods@clearwater.net