Thread: Folklore pattern worth the $?

I've been looking at a Folklore tribal belly dancer pattern for a few weeks, waffling about purchasing it. $23 including shipping. Is that a pretty good price? Is the pattern useful?

I like to sew, but usually do better with a pattern, then I alter it to suit me. Wondering if you sewing folks have used this pattern or not so much.

Oh, also, it's in my size. That's nice.

If I recall correctly, the skirt included in that pattern is not a pattern at all, but rather instructions for making a tiered skirt (you can find similar instructions all over the net). For the choli, there are quite a few sites out there that have instructions as well. If you are used to making your own patterns, you might be better off just searching around the net and using whats free online.

I haven't used the tribal belly dance patternbut I have used other folkwear patterns and ithink they're worth every penny. The patterns come with multiplesizes in one envelope, the instructionsare clear and easy to follow, and hte ones for actual ethnic garments come with instructions and patterns to do embellishments like embroidrey or ruching. Love them.

I have not seen this particular one. AFAIK, its focus is on the choli pattern, for the other elements of an ATS costume, there are descriptions, but no pattern, which makes some sense: A pattern for pantaloons would be a waste of paper, and I am not sure a pattern for making tassels would be all that useful, either ;-)

I have used the choli pattern that is the predecessor for the choli in the Folkwear. Some people had reported all kinds of problems and it required some serious measuring and then adjusting the pattern, but I really liked the result. I heard that the Folkwear version is an improvement over the original, and I have considered purchasing the Folkwear pattern to make more cholis of my own, without having to measure my body for an hour. But, as Basina said, there are free choli patterns out there, as well.

Overall, I like the Folkwear patterns, and I feel that their price is justified. It is indeed in a different category than the prices for fashion patterns on sale at JoAnn - but that's not really a fair comparison.