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 33 
 
 NSTRUCTION BOOK 
 
 OF 
 
 -4 
 
 BISBEE'S 
 
 ftlHEHICAH TAIliOH 
 SYSTEIB 
 
 OF 
 
 DRESS CUTTING. 
 
 Copyright, 1895, by F. S. Bisbeb. 
 
INSTRUCTION BOOK 
 
 OF 
 
 Bisbee's 
 
 American Tailor System 
 
 OF 
 
 DRESS CUTTING. 
 
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 We want instructors and agents everywhere. 
 
 Write for our liberal terms. The work is pleasant and very profitable. 
 
 AMERICAN SYSTEM COMPANY, 
 
 P. O. Box 1743, Boston, Mass. 
 
 f^ /I //- r A 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 It is a woman's duty to always appear as well as she can, and make the most possible out of the 
 advantages with which nature has endowed her, bringing them so far into prominence as to over- 
 shadow deficiencies and defects. That ideas of beauty are twisted and contorted into outrageous 
 shapes is a deplorable fact, but that the world is being gradually educated up to a more correct and 
 higher standard must be very evident to anyone taking the trouble to note the various improvements 
 that have been brought about in the last few years. The greater number and the more noticeable of 
 these improvements have been in Dress Systems. The advance in this department of art has been too 
 frequently andably discussed to require mention here. In presenting the i77iproved American System 
 to the public, we feel confident that it will meet with a want long felt. We believe we here present the 
 most parfect system in use to-day, also the most simple and complete. We have taken great pains and 
 no expanse has been spared to make the instruction book so plain that any woman or girl will under- 
 stand the System by a few hours study. "Practice makes perfect," and after a few day's practice with 
 the Svstem, you will be able to cut correctly any garment worn by woman or child. The System is 
 absolutely correct. If the measures are taken coriectly, and the rules are followed as directed, the 
 garment will fit without the alteration of a single stitch. 
 
 F. 5. BISBEE. 
 
GENERAL DIRECTIONS. 
 
 In learning the improveS American System of Tailor Dress Cutting, the first thing neces- 
 sary is to familiarize yourself with the System. Carefully study each scale and note that every figure 
 and scale means something. The System consists of large patterns with scales and perforations for 
 producing patterns of any size. Each scale is lettered, so they are easy to follow and learn. Once 
 having become familiar with the System, you will find it adapts itself to all st^'les and changes of styles. 
 In furnishing this instruction book we have selected such garments as are mostly worn, and once 
 having become familiar with them, there is no reason why you should not be able to cut any garment 
 worn by woman or child. 
 
 For cutting cloaks, sacks, sailor waists, ulsters, mantels, and circular or any garment intended 
 as an over-wrap or outside garment, take the same measure as for an ordinary drafting, then add two 
 perforations in each scale and one perforation at waist scale and hip. To draft a full length garment 
 extend it the desired length from hip curve with the dart rule. Allow for seams every place except 
 armseye, and neck. In basting, always begin at waist line, basting first up, then down. It is very 
 important to follow this rule if a perfect fit is desired. Follow the tracing marks exactly, as a slight 
 deviation trom this will cause the seams to look crooked When taking measure for a very fleshy 
 person, take a measure from point of shoulder seam at neck to lower portion of bust and make upper 
 point of darts come to that measure, as the approved style of low dart as shown in the system will be 
 too low. in measuring a person, notice if they have taoer, medium, square, or round shoulders. 
 
 Directions for drafting different sized Sleeve linings, viz., for a 9 inch armseye take off 
 and add but one perforation at armseye and none at cuft", only extend it one perforation same as 
 under of large size. From 10 to 12 inch armseye add two perforations at armseve and one at cutl". 
 Extend under one perforation same as draft for large size. 
 
For a first lesson we will take a plain basque. (In practice it is best to use plain light 
 colored wrapping paper at least 24 x 36 in size.) Diagram No. 1 represents the front of a plain basque. 
 You will observe it is the same shape as that part of the system represented in scales A to J. Begin 
 by taking eight measures, viz., neck, armseje, bust, waist, hip, front length, under arm length, and 
 hick length. We will take the measure of a medium sized woman. Mark them as follows : 
 
 Neck 13>^ Bust 36 Back 16>^ Waist 24 
 
 Armseje 14 Front 14 Underarm 8}i Hip 46 
 
 Take neck measure tight, armseje tight. stand at the back in taking bust measure: be sure 
 and take it over fulness close. Take waist measure tight. The under arm measure is taken from under 
 the arm straight down to waist line. The front measure is taken from the neck or throat as high as 
 you wish the dress to be when finished, and taken down to the waist line. For -back, measure down 
 the back from the prominent bone in the neck to the waist line. The hip measure is taken 4 inches 
 below the waist line around the form. 
 
 We are now ready to commence drafting. Laj the system on the paper an inch or 
 
 two from the edge in front, begin by marking like this at the edge of the System, at scale A 1332 
 
 (see Diagram No. 2). As 13>^ represents the neck measure, then dot in the same number (13;^) in 
 scale B. Then dot in armseye measure (14) in scale C. Then dot in bust measure (36) in scale D 
 and E, also (42) in scale E. We dot at 42 in scale E to add 6 perforations, to allow for underarm dart 
 at armseye, as you will understand later. Now mark in perforations according to bust number (36) 
 in scale F (for short waisted or fleshy forms mark high dart). All the above work is represented by 
 pencils in Diagram No. 2. Now take the dart rule and measure down from the mark made at edge in 
 scale A the length of front (14 inches) and draw a line down the front that length and mark a line out 
 from the system (see Diagram No. 2). Now mark opposite the underarm length (8>^). The under- 
 arm length numbers are found on right hand edge of system. All this work is represented in Diagram 
 No. 2. Now move sys em up so waist line of system will be even with marks made for length offront 
 and mark made opposite under arms length, (see diagram No. 3). That will bring centre of darts on 
 waist line of pattern. Now mark in star at waist line and also 12-12-12 in scale G, 12 being the taper 
 number, or dirference between the waist and the bust number. ( If the waist was 26 then the taper 
 would be 10, or if the waist was 22 the taper would be 14, and so on. This is the only calculation you 
 have to make, everything else is made for you, and this is very simple. To find the taper number, 
 simply subtract the waist number from the bust number, the difference is the taper number. But bear 
 in mind this taper number is a very important factor in Tailor Dress Cutting.) Next find the waist 
 number (24) in waist scale H and follow the line to the right until you come to the taper number (12) and 
 mark directly below in perforation at waist line. Now find hip number (46) in hip scale I and mark 
 down from line at bottom of system. Draw a line down from waist line and across the bottom to mark 
 made in hip scale 1. All this work is shown by pencils in Diagram No. 3. 
 
 We are now ready to draw outlines and we simply rule fi'om dot to dot with edge of system, 
 using that part representing the neck to draft the neck, the shoulder to draft the shoulder, and so on. 
 We find the desired curve for the shoulder at top of system. If a medium shoulder is desired, place 
 the word " medium" under dot made in scale C, etc. Place the arrow in armseye at dot made in 
 scale D and draw a curved line to dot made in scale C, then move the system down enough to let the 
 line continue out through the dot made at (36) in scale E, letting the line run across a little above the 
 dot made at (42) in scale E keeping the arrow on the dot made in scale D. Then draw a lire with 
 back edge of system from armseye curve to dot made at waist line in scale H. For hip curve, place 
 waist line of system at waist line of pattern and curve a line to dot made in scale I. Now form the darts 
 above the waist line with dart rule from perforations on the curved edge, where it reads "medium 
 bust' (see Diagrams 4 and 5). Now dot in center of darts on waist line. Lay straight edge of dart 
 rule on dot just made and the dot at top of dart and draw a line straight down 9 inches below waist line. 
 This gives us the lower point of darts (these lines are shown in Diagram No. 1). Use the straight 
 edge of dart rule in making darts below waist line. In laying off the underarm dart, it will first be 
 necessary to get the centre and dot on waist line between the side seam and the back front dart. This 
 gives you the center of the underarm dart. 
 
Now look at taper scale J on front o( the system and you will find for a 12 taper this dart is 
 made 2'^ inches wide at waist line (measure one-half on each side of dot just made). If preferred, 
 you can make the underarm piece the same width at waist line as sidebody. Now measure in two 
 inches (or any desired width) for undeiarm piece at armseye from the dot made in 42, scale E and 
 dot, then measure in two inches more and dot. . The first two inches is for width of underarm piece; 
 the second two inches is for what you added in scale E for dart at armseye. Use straight edge of 
 dart rule for forming the top of this dart and the same curve for lower part as you did for forming 
 top of front darts, only curve in instead of out, (see Diagrams 4 and 5). Extend the point of this dart. 
 seven inches below waist line. Get this point and dot the same as you got the lower point in side darts. 
 
 To make the center back, lay that part of system represented by scales K to T on the paper 
 n le or two inches from edge, begin by marking at the underarm length, (8i.,), which 30U will find at 
 edge of centerback (on left hand side). Now measure up with the dart rule the length of back (16^) 
 from the mark made at S^., and draic a line doicn edge to 8^ (see Diagram No. 7). Dot opposite back 
 length, in scales K and L. Now dot in armseje number (14) in M and bust number (36) in scale N. 
 (All this work is shown in Diagram No. 8). Now move the system up so waist line of system will be 
 even with mark made at 8j^ (see Diagram No. 9) Keeping edge of system even with back line, now 
 dot as wide as desired for center back in scale O (for person of about this waist measure we use per- 
 foration 1). Find the hip number (46) in hip scale P, and mark on line directly below at bottom of 
 system. Draw a line down the skirl of back from mark made at S]4. and across the bottom to mark 
 made in scale P at bottom. (This work is shown in Diagram No. 9). For outlines, begin at theneck, 
 using the parts representing the neck, shoulder, and armseye same as the front. In drafting curved 
 line from scale N down to waist line, use dart rule, giving it any amount of curve desired (see Diagram 
 No. 10), but be careful and give the same curve to the side body piece when you draft that or they will 
 not sew together nicely. We usually use second perforation from point of dart rule. 
 
 Special Notice. If person is round shouldered, draw the line in to dot made in scale K. Al- 
 most all forms require a small amonnt taken off center back from neck down three or four inches. 
 You will notice in Diagram No. 6 the line slightly curves in at the letter K. 
 
 In miking side body piece, use the same part of system. Dot in perforation according 
 to bust number (36) in scales Q^ and R. Now mark the underarm length (8^) on both sides of S3'stem 
 (these last two marks are guides to move the system up to). (All this work is shown in Diagram 
 No. 11). Now move the waist line of system up so it will be even with the last two marks made and 
 dot in the same place in scale O as you did when making centerback. Now find waist number in scale 
 S and mark in perforation at waist line. Now find hip number (46) in hip scale T and mark on 
 line below at bottom of system. Draw a line across the bottom from X to mark made at hip scale T. 
 (This work is shown in Diagram No. 12.) Draw outlines with edge of system representing arm curve 
 and underarm length. For hip curve, place waist line of system at dot made in scale S and draw 
 line down to mark made in scale T. Use dart rule for making curve from dot in scale Q^to dot in 
 scale O (see Diagram No. 10). 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 1. 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 2. 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 3. 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 4. 
 
 10 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 5. 
 
 11 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 6. 
 
 12 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 7. 
 13 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 8. 
 
 14 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 9. 
 
 15 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 10. 
 
 16 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 11 
 
 17 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 12. 
 18 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 13. 
 
 For sleeves and sleeve=Iiningsas shown in Diagram No. 13. We take four measures, viz. inner 
 length, outer length with arm bent, around armseye tight, and around the hand back of the knuckles 
 tight. For practice, we will take the following measures : 
 
 Inner length, 17 in. Outer length, 21 in. Armseye, 14 in. Cuff, 7 in. 
 
 For coat sleeve begin by drawing to numbers representing the inner length (17 to 17) online 
 W. Find outer length (21) on outer edge of sleeve system in scale V and follow down the line to the 
 cross-line representing the armseye number (14) and dot. Then find outer number (21) on outer edge 
 of cuff in scale U and follow down the line to the cross-line representing the cuff number(7)and dot. Use 
 edge of sleeve system for outlines, always placing the outer number at cuff and dot made at cuff. 
 
 For dress sleeve lining:, using the same measure, draw on inner curve to numbers representing 
 inner length (17 to 17). Find outer number (21) in scale and follow down the line to the cross-line 
 representing the armseye number (14). Now add two inches (four perforations) and dot (online 
 18). Now find outer number (21) in scale U and follow down the line to the cross-line representing 
 the cuff number (7). Add one inch (two perforations) and dot (on cross-line 9). To make outlines, 
 place the outer edge of system so the numbers of the outer length (21 and 21) will be at dots made 
 in scales U and V and draw a line along the edge from dot to dot. Draw a straight line from dot at 
 cuff to dot made at inner length (17). For top of sleeve, place the star designating the size of arms- 
 eye (14) to dot at inner length and draw a line around to the outer length . 
 
 For under half. Draw inner length on curve W to the numbers representing the inner length 
 (17 - 17). Follow down the line representing the outer length (21) at armseye to cross-line represent- 
 ing the armseye number (14) and take o//" two inches (four perforations) and dot (at cross-line 10). 
 Find the outer length number (21) in scale U, and follow down the line until you come to the cross- 
 line representing the cuff number, (7), then lake off one inch (two perforations to cross-line 5) then 
 add one-half inch longer (one perforation). 
 
 Always use the system from the point at armseye for drafting the lop of under-half. T/ie lines 
 and dots of the two parts of the above dress sleene li'iJiifi are shown on the Sleeve System. For rules 
 for sleeve drafting see general directions on page 4. 
 
 19 
 
9 in 
 
 9i in. 
 
 19 in. 
 
 r- 
 
 / 
 
 V 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 o 
 
 u 
 
 1 
 
 D 
 
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 ^* 
 
 
 / 
 
 c» 
 
 c 
 
 1 
 
 o 
 
 
 j 
 
 -1 
 
 
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 n 
 
 
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 in. 
 
 
 o 
 
 12 in. 
 
 DIAGRAM NO. 14. 
 
 Diagram No. 14 represents a plain skirt. Fold goods in center and vieasiire off ihe desired 
 lengths, leaving the fold in center ot front. Measure the front gore nine inches at top and eleven and 
 one half inches at the bottom. Take up a dart in each half of front, one, or one and one-half inches in 
 width, and three and one-half inches in length, to fit the form. Side gOreS are cut with selvedge on 
 the straight edge. Measure nine and one-half inches at the top and twelve inches nt the bottom. 
 Take off one-half inch on the straightedge of top (see plate). Cut 'he back width with fold in center, 
 nineteen inches wide at top and bottom. These measures are for one-half of front and back. After 
 joining the skirt, take up the darts in front and put four shallow plaits in the side gore, placing the 
 first plait on seam of front. The side gore should measure about four inches after the plaits are taken 
 up. These measures are for average size and lengths. 
 
 20 
 
R L 
 
 DIAGRAM NO. 15. 
 
 Diagram No. 15 represents child's dress. In drafting for children, draft as for grown person, 
 onlj omit front darts and dot for size of waist in child's waist scale on front of system. Add on at 
 armseye for underarm dart if desired (not more than one inch). Draft, solid or French back. 
 
 For drafting waists with French back see page 23. 
 
 21 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 16. 
 
 Diagram No. i6 represents front of French Jacket. Draft as for ordinary front with the excep- 
 tion of front darts, putting the amount of both darts into one. Extend the waist line (at scale H) 
 from one to two inches beyond the actual measure required, as seen in plate, and form underarm seam 
 with dart rule. For top of front dart, use perforation at top of "half fitting dart " on system. For 
 width of dart, dot in first perforation at right of star on waist line. Measure three and one-half inches 
 with dart rule and dot in nearest perforation. Use straight or curved edge of dart rule as you prefer 
 for dart above waist line, giving it any curve desired. 
 
 For Cutaway. Measure from inside underarm dart the width of front darts and dot. Draw a 
 straight line to armseye. Form curve as per plate. 
 
 For French Basque. Draft as for ordinary front with the exception of front darts, putting 
 both darts into one as in French Jacket, using curved edge to form top of front dait and itithovt 
 adding anything extra at waist line and using system in drafting outlines the same as plain basque. 
 
 22 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 17. 
 
 Diagram No. 17 represents back of French Jacket. Draft same as for ordinary bacTc, wwltting 
 "Staler N and Q^and use whole width of back wai«t measure, thereby making a solid back. Take off at 
 ■waist line what you added to the front and use dart rule for curves as for side form (The dotted lines 
 show the whole size). 
 
 For drafting bacic of French Basque. Draft same as for back of Fren^ch Jacket except taking 
 othinjj off at wai&t line, as you add nothing on at the waist line of the front- 
 
 -23 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 18. 
 
 biagr-am No. td fepres6nt« front of basque witf. fcfas Jarf. Draft same as Tor plain basqne. 
 Add ten pertorations in scale E instead ofsix, and add one and one-fourth inches on the back dart in 
 scale G Also extend the waist line and hip measure one and one-fourth inches. Place underarm 
 
 dart so the underarm piece will measure same ^idthatx^•aistlineas side form. Beforebastingunde, a, m 
 dart on to front, raise the tvaist line of front five eighths of one inch (see plate). In making center 
 back or solid back, draft same as for French back or. in other words, take off at armseve, waist line, 
 and hip measure what jou added to the front- 
 
 24 
 
DIAGRAM NO. 19. 
 
 Diagram No. iq represents cape or circular. Measure around the bust outside the arms, and 
 measure down the back and front as long as desired. Take bust measure same as for basque, allowing 
 two numbers, as for cloaks. Draft as for basque, placing point of shoulders together, as in diagram, 
 at an angle to produce the desired width around the shoulders. Extend length as long as desired. 
 
 25 
 
POINTERS. 
 
 Draft all lines below the waist for children with but little spring. 
 
 Be careful not to get the Bust and Waist measures too large. 
 
 Be careful not to get the Hip and around the form measures too small. 
 
 If wrinkles run across the back and under the arm just above the waist the back 
 and under arm measures are too long. If they run up and down the back over the 
 shoulders, the width of back is too large. 
 
 Very few forms are perfect, and it is better to try to improve an imperfect form 
 by padding than to attempt to fit it by cutting. 
 
 So many are the styles and so rapid are the changes that no definite rule for 
 draping can be followed. Styles, and the form of the wearer and the quality of the 
 goods must be taken into consideration, also the amount of goods to be used. Stylish 
 drapery must have sufficient material, and practice will be necessary to become proficient 
 in the art of draping. 
 
 There is a satisfaction in knowing that you can cut a garment to fit, but "there 
 is no excellence without experience." Knowledge cannot be acquired without study 
 and study takes time, therefore take time and study this system. 
 
 Study how to take measures correctly, how to draft, trace, and cut accurately. 
 Then you will know how to cut a perfect-fitting garment. Diagrams i to 12, inclusive, 
 are the keys to this entire work. Study them until you become familiar with every 
 dot and line. 
 
 It has been our endeavor in placing this work before the public to make it the 
 most thorough and perfect instruction book issued for any system. We believe we have 
 succeeded, and that the work will prove a benefit for those to whom it is intended is the 
 earnest wish of 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 26 
 
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