Hello and welcome to Killer Kitsch Lizzie! My little world where I sew, knit, and go on many fun and sometimes weird creative journeys!
Finally. Finally! The Haslam Journey begins. I’ve been promising this for a long time and now it’s here! I would love it if you came along with me!
So… In this video:
- I’m going to give some background on what draft-a-home systems are. A wee bit of a history lesson of what Haslam is and how it came to be. What materials you will need and how the series of videos will be broken down.
- What is a draft-at-home system?
- What is Haslam?
What I will show you in the next videos is:
- How to put together the template.
- How to use the template to create a pattern block.
- How to use the pattern block to draft your first pattern.
- How to make your toile and I will also show you my final garment.
- Resources on where to find the template, patterns etc.
What is a draft-at-home system?
A draft-at-home system is a dressmakers tool that allows you to create your own sewing patterns, using your own body measurements or for whomever you are creating a garment for. You can also use the pattern to create different sizes as well as tailor the pattern to fit your body type. There are many types of garments you can use this system for such as tops, coats, skirts, dresses, trousers and even lingerie. You can also use this system to draft clothing for men and children. Which most mothers would normally do.
The Haslam System of Dresscutting does exactly the same thing and is achieved by creating a sloper and from that sloper or pattern block, you create pattern pieces. The system was devised by Miss Grace Haslam (in the 1930s I believe) and was an original home business that eventually has Miss Haslam traveling all over the country teaching her method of dressmaking. There is a very sweet article written about her and I will link it below.
OK! In our next video will get started with putting together our template and drafting our partner block.
You will need a few things to get started. I know this might sound a bit overwhelming, but it’s not really more items than if you were tracing out a pattern.
Supplies you will need:
- You will need to get yourself 2 PDFs. (there will be links below for places to buy these)
- copy of the Haslam template and the Foundations Draftings with Instructions. I am going to leave links below for where I purchased my .pdf.
- Unfortunately, I don’t have a free copy to provide. I am on the hunt for Haslam books and a physical template. Hopefully, one day I will find originals.
- A ruler. The template is an actual ruler, but I found it helpful to still have a ruler handy.
- Measuring tape. You will need to take some important body measurements. I have also written a blog post with these steps and will link it below. You might also want someone to help you with the measurements. Some of them are your back and shoulders. It can be done on your own. I did it myself.
- Some kind of tracing paper or large sheets of paper. I personally use brown packing paper to draw/draft my patterns on.
- Poster board or as we call it in Canada bristol board. I glue my template to it, to give it more structure. You will also use the poster board to make your pattern block.
- Pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser, and markers.
- Paper scissors
- Glue of some sort. Elmer’s glue works, but I personally preferred using a glue stick. It was easier for me.
- I also found an awl as a handy tool for punching the holes.
I’m also going to list all of the sellers I know who have .pdf booklets for patterns. There are way more options now than when I first started teaching myself Haslam.
If you enjoyed this video, please consider liking this video and subscribing.
That’s it for now. Thank you for watching. Stay kitschy and I will see you soon!
Link to free blog posts on Patreon that will also take you step by step through the process: https://killerkitschdesigns.com/?s=haslam
Facebook group – Haslam Sewing Support Group: (not mine) https://www.facebook.com/groups/HaslamSewing/
Article about Miss Haslam: https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/10772216.history-of-the-haslam-sewing-system/
Link to where to buy template and Foundations Draftings with
Instructions:
My Vintage Wish. (template and instruction book)
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/258854147/haslam-system-of-dresscutting-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_16&pro=1
Another option for just the instruction book:
That Darned Patch:
Pattern book we will be working from: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/945123558/the-haslam-system-of-dresscutting?click_key=f7158d4cc9a382a9e71341d1702d6fa08eb33a74%3A945123558&click_sum=1644bd67&ref=shop_home_active_21&pro=1&sts=1
Other sellers:
Moonflower Vintage: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/MoonflowerVintageAHJ?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1386726695§ion_id=34586295
That Darned Patch: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/ThatDarnedPatch?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1228236385§ion_id=36272044
Fleureve Vintage: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/FleureveVintage?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1014387209§ion_id=33684410
eNeedlecrafts: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/eNeedlecrafts?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=214299111§ion_id=16259484
Mrs. Depew: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Mrsdepew?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=616329911§ion_id=36359979
Museum All Things: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/MuseumAllThings?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1443176625
My Vintage Wish: https://www.etsy.com/ca/search?q=haslam&ref=pagination&page=3
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