The Lutterloh System

[CherryRed]

Hancock Fabric Class on Lutterloh

I am bumping this thread because this is what the instruction class I took yesterday at Hancock Fabrics was about. Of course they sell you the newer pattern books (which I passed on) but I did pick up the tailor tools, a walking foot and roller foot for my machine. I can't wait to try the Return 2 Style patterns. This system is VERY easy to do. It is pretty much connect the dot's to getting a pattern custom made in your size. I recommend checking out the class if you have a Hancock's that offers it. Plus you get the class on DVD to refer back to if needed.

 

[MissMissy]

This is a great thread, I'm really interested in learning more. I'll have to check out my local hancock's to see if they are offering any classes. I have such difficult measurments, I always have to alter my patterns and I would love to give this system a go.

Missy

 

[dakotanorth]

Lutterloh

Or Goldene Schnitte....
I have one from 1939. yes, it actually has a few National Socialist outfits in it! The women's evening dresses are unbelievable too.
Funny, I have a friend who IS german, and worked as a translator for years. Problem is, he charges 10c a word.... ugh.
I know some German, but not revolving around textiles, clothing, sewing, etc. If anyone finds a good website with translations, PLEASE post it!!

 

[Snookie]

I just picked up a 1941 copy of Der Goldene Schnitte on Ebay, it's pretty tattered but complete, but that probably a good thing, since I do plan on using it and won't keep it pristine anyway. My copy also has HJ. and BDM. uniform patterns, but those are for kids. From the little German I know, I didn't see anything specifically National Socialist for adults. Mostly just super cute dresses, and a little bit for kids and men. Several of the patterns in my book are available on Return2Style.

CherryRed, can you give me some info on the ruler (tape)? The seller of my book said she would send me a copy, but it was like pulling teeth to get her to send it so I wasn't too surprised when it arrives sans ruler... There's a page at the beginning of my book that shows a copy of it, numbered 1-8 and then you attach it to your own tape measure. What I need to know is, do I blow up the ruler on the photocopier so that the space between each number equals 1cm, or use it as is? Did the measuring tapes you used have a smaller space at the beginner, or were they all the same size? I'm sure I can figure it out from trial and error, but I'd like to save some time. I'd buy a modern ruler, but I think you have to buy a whole kit, they only sell the curves individually.

If you aren't sure, that's fine, I was thinking about posting this question on a sewing forum anyway. Thanks!

 

[Snookie]

FYI, there's English/pictoral instructions on the Lutterloh website here. On the side, under "Content" click on "Instructions". You can see on steps 4 and 5 the difference in the top of the tape I was talking about - should the space between 6 and 7 be the same or smaller than the space between 9 and 10? I think they should be the same, but I just can't tell for sure.

 

[CherryRed]

Snookie: I will double check that info on my DVD. If you don't get the ruler I will scan mine and PM it to you. No problem, I am excited to try these out!!
Congrats on getting the book! I was looking at on on the bay and it was over $100 BIN.

 

[Snookie]

I just watched the How-To Video on the website, and the speaker said that the larger numbers are just an extension of the metric system, so I'm pretty sure I just have to blow up the ruler in my book so that each number equals 1 cm. Thanks for being willing to check, though!

I think I paid about $140 for my book, they've actually been dropping in price dramatically over the last several months. Maybe the economy? I've been watching Ebay for 12, maybe 18 months, and at first it was rare to see them sell for less than $250. Obviously, age, condition, and presentation all affect the price.

 

[deadpandiva]

It's funny to see this post because I have only just recently discovered the Lutterloh System. I am hoping I can find a copy on ebay when I actually have money. I am not really interested in the modern books but I am wondering if it would be good to have both since the old ones are in German?

 

[Snookie]

The tricky thing about Lutterloh is that they expect you to already have your sewing skills down. There aren't directions for each pattern, just a few symbols indicating where to gather, etc. Not even all the pieces are included, they just expect you to know to make a facing, or the undercollar, or what needs interfacing. I don't hardly use directions when I sew anymore, I mostly just look at the diagrams for the pattern pieces to see what matches where and reference sewing manuals occasionally, so I think I'm up for the challenge. If you still rely on pattern instructions a lot, I'd wait until your sewing skills improve a little.

I'm sure, though, that the modern Lutterloh books have a little more instruction, but in the video the speaker said it's an ideal system for those who already know how to sew.

Why not try out some of the patterns on Return2Style? That way you can see if it would be good for you. Or maybe see if your sewing store has a class like CherryRed took?

 

[CherryRed]

The tricky thing about Lutterloh is that they expect you to already have your sewing skills down. There aren't directions for each pattern, just a few symbols indicating where to gather, etc. Not even all the pieces are included, they just expect you to know to make a facing, or the undercollar, or what needs interfacing. I don't hardly use directions when I sew anymore, I mostly just look at the diagrams for the pattern pieces to see what matches where and reference sewing manuals occasionally, so I think I'm up for the challenge. If you still rely on pattern instructions a lot, I'd wait until your sewing skills improve a little.

This is a very good point Snookie. Thanks for reminding me. I have done quite a bit of sewing for others and for dolls but not for myself. I think I will practice on one of the Simplicity or Vogue reprints first and work my way up to the Lutteroh System.

 

[tucci4me]

Vintage Lutterloh

Or Goldene Schnitte....
I have one from 1939. yes, it actually has a few National Socialist outfits in it! The women's evening dresses are unbelievable too.

I am finding the Lutterloh system very rewarding! I use it almost exclusively now instead of individually purchased patterns. Just last month I contacted Frank Lutterloh to ask if we were allowed to trade our vintage patterns. His response was that we are not allowed to post any patterns to the internet but we are allowed to make copies. I find this a very exciting prospect! I am hoping to find someone willing to trade copies of their 30s - 40s patterns for some of my 40's - 60s patterns. If anyone is interested please send me a private e-mail.

Ann in Calif.

 

[MegamiOrchard]

Getting Lutterloh made

Firstly - mods, if this fits somewhere, please merge it. I was not sure!

I live in the UK. I have some great Lutterloh vintage pattern books (early 1950s) I can not sew to save my soul, and am willing to pay someone to sew some of the patterns from these books for me. I will pay top dollar (and postage if need be) to have things made. Do you know of anyone? Has anyone ever approached Top Runway on Ebay to make one-off stuff (I have ordered from them previously and love the stuff they made)

 

[Sickofitcindy]

Maybe you should try on Etsy. You can go to custom and request someone to make you something with your pattern. I love Lutterloh. I have a couple of those books myself.

 

[FashionFanatic]

Lutterloh Like Patterns

Hi, I have just joined your group....I am very interested in the Lutterloh Like Patterns for trade...I have a very large collection of the Haslam System patterns and another group of which I cannot remember their name...it's in German. There are 125 patterns of these in total but no instructions. If interested in a possible trade..email me at curdk@pinncom.com. I love the 1920's to the 1950's especially!!!

 

[deadpandiva]

I am wondering if anyone here has tried the Haslam Pattern or Eclair Coupe Paris? I have been been seeing a lot oc re printed book on ebay latly and just got a cd with Haslam pattrns from the 30's-50's and am exited to give them a try. The Eclair Coupe Paris has rulers so I guess it's similair to Lutterloh. Some of the mid 30's patterns are lovely. i ahve also had my eye on som of the german book which have all the patterns printed on on page and all the lines intersect each other. I think I'd go crazy trying to figure that one out though.

 

[NancyLouise]

I have quite a few of those german magazines (with the patterns all on one page) from the 20s, 30s, and 40s. I haven't traced any out yet but it really doesn't look too hard. I already trace my patterns anyway and the lines are distinctly different (dashes, stars, tildes, etc. I think I've even seen ducks? Haha.)
I've seen some very beautiful Lutterloh patterns, but it sounds like a lot of work to me. Maybe they're easier than I think? They sure sound like a doozy though.

 

[deadpandiva]

I have quite a few of those german magazines (with the patterns all on one page) from the 20s, 30s, and 40s. I haven't traced any out yet but it really doesn't look too hard. I already trace my patterns anyway and the lines are distinctly different (dashes, stars, tildes, etc. I think I've even seen ducks? Haha.)
I've seen some very beautiful Lutterloh patterns, but it sounds like a lot of work to me. Maybe they're easier than I think? They sure sound like a doozy though.

Thanks for this information. I wan't sure how you were supposed to determine which pattern was which.

 

[Lauren]

I also have a lot of those German pattern magazines and have made things from some of the patterns. It's not that hard once you get the hang of it. I don't think the seam allowance is included, but I might be wrong on that [huh] I use semi-translucent paper to trace them out.. either dotted pattern paper or something else you can kind of see through. It's really important to make muslins up first, though, cause the fit on some of them is really wonky.
Oops! forgot to add how to tell which was which! If you look on the big fold out pattern sheet you get, you should be able to find the guide for the outfit you want to make. In the magazine it will have a pattern number, then around the outside of the big sheet it will have a guide for pieces and usually an illustration of the outfit, but not always. It will have the different dotted lines you need to look for for those pieces, so you look for it and then figure out the piece. It's kind of like those pictures in the 90s that you had to look at funny and all of a sudden a dinosaur or something popped out in 3D... except it's a pattern piece.
Oh yeah, and sadly I now know that not all the outfits pictured are always included in the pattern sheets, so if you're worried about it you might want to check with the seller and see if they can tell you if the one you want is included in the pattern supplement.

 

[wahine]

Lutterloh

I have a Lutterloh book too, it's the 1956 edition. I made 2 dresses so far without knowing too much about sewing. The second dress came out fine, and I will do some more, hopefully. The pattern making is easy, although I find it a challenge to take into account my bust-waist-hip proportion. The ladies back there seemed all to have smaller waists...

If anyone still is interested in trading scans, I'd be happy to get any patterns from the late fourties to late fifties.

Also, if anyone needs help with translations, I'd be happy to give it a try. My English isn't perfect, but my German is

Although I have to admit that there are words in the Lutterloh book that I never heard in my life. Special sewing terms used for techniques that no one uses anymore - that's a brainteaser even for a native speaker. Luckily, I have an aunt who is a tailor and knows some of the old techniques.

 

[Sander]

Hi Wahine,

I like to get into contact with you to trade scans of Lutterloh patterns.
I have a list of my collection and am wondering about what you have and what you are looking for.

Regards/Grüsse, Sander Tel (in die Niederlande)
sandertel@yahoo.com (I am best reachable throught this adress)