Enlarging the Parnell Wrap Blouse
I had so many requests for a tutorial on enlarging the Parnell Wrap Blouse, here’s how I did it!
First, you need to trace off the pattern, plus a second copy. For the second copy you can just trace off the lower half of the front – you’re only using this copy for dart placement help.
Now, you’ll need measure across the bust on the front and back of the piece (often, the front and back chest measurements are different). The bust point is where the small dots are.
On Parnell, this should measure approx 18.75 inches. Double that and you get a finished bust of approx 37.5 inches (it’s a bit flexible due to the wrap).
Now, work out what you want the finished bust to be (in this case, lets say 41.5 inches). Thats a difference of 4 inches.
Divide your difference into 4, in this case that’s 1 inch. Note that down, you’ll need it in a second.
Now, draw a line the length of the pattern in a way that AVOIDS the back pleats. This line will go through the front dart, like the orange line in the below picture.
Now cut through that line, and pull the pattern apart the distance you noted down earlier (in my case, 1 inch).
Now, trace off a new pattern piece like below, except don’t trace off the lower dart. You’ll be using that second copy here to replicate the darts.
Lay your second copy over the top, approx 1/2 half the width of your split away from the centre front edge.
In my case, thats half an inch (1 inch divided by 2).
Transfer the dart markings, and lower edge shaping to your pattern.
Ta Da! All done! The easy way to enlarge.
I also recommend some other adjustments, firstly cutting the neck a bit deeper like below (larger sizes normally mean you have a larger neck too).
I also found that I had some flappy fabric under my arms when I tied the top. This is caused by excess length on the back piece.
You can easily remove it by making a folded dart from the centre of the back underam piece, and tapering it down to nothing at the bottom hem near the pleats.
Trace off your new pattern, viola!
I hope this helps and I can’t wait to see everybody’s Parnell Blouses too!
