Digital French Curve: 1 ruler with 8 options

Free download

In previous posts I talked about:

1. The utility of fashion rulers as useful shapes.

2. How to use the tick marks on fashion rulers to ensure a smooth flow when pattern pieces are joined together.

As a thank you for paid subscribers you can download a printable Deitzgen French Curve #17. The ruler calibrated in both inches and centimeters to print out whichever one you prefer. Print out at 100% and use the indicated box for printer accuracy.

Using the printable French curves

1. Cut out and mounted on heavy paper for repeated use or simply printed as needed whenever a tight curve is needed.

2. Measure seam line lengths along tight curves.

3. The tick marks enable accurate placement when adjusting patterns for connecting pattern pieces.

4. The editable vector graphic file format makes them easy to use in digital documents.

But wait, there’s much more!

These rulers also come in a 2 versions with flipped shapes for use together and/or separately. The numbers retain easy readability.

There is no other digital ruler available on the market with this feature.

Flipped curves provide the most flexibility for use

After downloading the files take a look to see another unique feature also not available for any other digital ruler on the market.

The tick marks extend beyond the outline of the shape with another set of calibration numbers:

This takes advantage of the printout so that after you cut out the ruler shape, you can have the same curve in both convex and concave versions:

Think of it as the negative French curve ruler, the edge left behind after the curve has been cut out of the paper. Both versions have tick marks and are calibrated.

Using the convex outline

There are many ways to use this feature. For instance, here I am using the French curve to narrow a shoulder:

This adjustment will have created a new armhole seam, shown here in red:

Now I can tape on the equivalent ‘negative’ curve along the seamline.

I have a permanent record of the alteration and can measure the seam line:

Important

These files are for paid subscribers only. They are not for sale or for sharing. Consider becoming a subscriber to access these files and more.

For paid subscribers, many thanks and here are the files: