Cutting Methods

Updated 15th May 2013

efore cutting your fabric, you need to take measurements.  The diagram below shows the relevant measurements.  To simplify matters, all measurements are represented by coloured arrows throughout this post.

Relevant body measurements

Basically, there are 3 cutting methods:

Circular:

• full-circle
• half-circle
• 3-piece circle

Triangular:

• 2-piece
• 3-piece

Trapezoid:

• the narrower end of the trapezoid is dependent on the size of neckline

6 cutting methods are represented by diagram below.  Refer to coloured arrows from the diagram of 'Body Measurements' above.

Click pictures to enlarge and observe how grain of fabric is aligned to your pattern before cutting.  Cutting fabric with or against the grain of fabric will affect the overall drape of your project.

Cutting Methods	Measurements	Fabric Types
full-circle	(shoulder slope + ½ neck circumference + length from shoulder) x 2 ( <===> + ½ <===> + <===> ) x 2	without nap reversible irreversible non-directional pattern
3-piece full-circle	Center Piece width = shoulder width <===> length = ( length from nape ) x 2 ( <===> ) x 2 -------------------------------------------- Side Pieces width = length from shoulder <===> length = ( length from nape ) x 2 ( <===> ) x 2	without nap reversible irreversible non-directional pattern
half-circle	(½ neck circumference + shoulder slope + length from shoulder) x 2  (½ <===> + <===> + <===>) x  2	without nap reversible irreversible non-directional pattern
2 right-angled triangles	(½ neck circumference + shoulder slope + length from shoulder) x 2 (½ <===> + <===> + <===>) x  2	without nap reversible irreversible (multiple of 4's) non-directional pattern
2 right angled & 1 isosceles triangle	(½ neck circumference + shoulder slope + length from shoulder) x 2 (½ <===> + <===> + <===>) x  2	without nap reversible irreversible non-directional pattern
3 trapezoids	shoulder slope + length from shoulder <===> + <===> Total number of <===> = circumference of final neckline	without nap reversible irreversible non-directional pattern

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