Madeleine Vionnet’s best work was @ .5

Designers have long used half scale forms to translate and show designs that are new to their season or to show treatments that may be difficult to describe or draw. 

One of the most famous was Madeleine Vionnet who’s reputation as the greatest designer of the 20th Century was built upon her draped designs on a small wood doll.  Recently, in October of 2009, the Association for Sewing and Design Professionals (ASDP) exhibited 41 half scale garments of all the models in Betty Kirke’s book, Madeleine Vionnet.   See the .5 photos online at Threads Magazine. Type Vionnet in the search box.

Link to Half Scale Tools

Half Scale Reprisal, a Threads Magazine article by Judith Neukam, February/March 2010, shows the Vionnet Identique Exhibition.  The link on Threads site is not up yet but look for it on news stands.

Why Work on the Half Scale?

• You can see the entire form while still standing near enough to make changes to the design.

• In addition, the eye can accurately gauge the best proportions for the body and the design.

• You can better predict the behavior of the fabric.

• The design can be created in the actual fashion fabric, since so little is used; its characteristics can be used to the best effect in the design.

• Custom dressmakers can use the half scale to exhibit their work for customers, enabling customers to ‘see’ the garment much more clearly.

• Sewing instructors can use it as an effective way to teach sewing skills -- students learn construction skills without having to worry about fit and they feel more willing to try a technique without having to wear it.

• The garment pieces are small enough that students can see which end is up.

• And finally, the student has a permanent sample that can always be checked again for how-to.