Tag: Plus size sewing
Remember Me?
This little number was the first dress muslin that my Mom and I made (okay, mostly Mom) in order to find out if a new pattern that I had purchased had worked.
It was an utter disaster! I blogged about it here. Both Mom and I were utterly disgusted with the pattern, the fit, and everything about it. But, we didn’t throw it out. We shoved it into a bag and started on another idea.
And it sat in the bag. And sat. And finally, we ran across it and decided that maybe it wasn’t quite as awful and we first thought. So, we altered it heavily and gave it a new shot. It looks SO much better now! Sorry about the photo. I am not sure why no one mentioned that the dress was bunchy and the hem crooked. Sigh. And we won’t mention the odd expression on my face. Yikes!
But, it is still not quite right. So, back to the drawing board we go! We lifted the front yoke significantly in order to make it sit on my high bust. Now, we will lift the bodice a tad higher so that the fullest part of the princess seams actually sit directly on my, er, …fullest parts, shall we say?
So, maybe I was a tad rough on this pattern to begin with. It is actually one of the few that doesn’t have a shoulder and neckline made for a linebacker. I think when we get this dress altered correctly, it may be the most flattering dress I have worn. Not too shabby for something that was destined for the rag bag a while back. And it is wearable in it’s vintage floral (sheet!) form. Cool and comfy on a hot, summer day!
Have you ever remade or saved a project from the rag bag?
Till next time,
If at First You Don’t Succeed….
Try another pattern…or two! Since I am not going to arrive naked at a beach wedding (you can thank me later), I will need something to wear and I am not giving up on the homemade route quite yet!
Tonight, I went out and bought two patterns that looked very easy to sew that I found at my local Hobby Lobby. I usually like to wait until there is a sale or a coupon to do something like that, but some days it has to be done!
These are my current selections….
I am using woven fabric in florals for the dresses that I have in mind for this beach-y affair, so I couldn’t use my new Colette Moneta pattern, as it is designed for knit fabrics only. But, these should be simple to pull off, big enough to need minimal pattern adjustments, and quick enough to finish in time for my trip. Plus, I love the tunic options that are on both patterns. As long as one of them is ready to go by Friday at noon, I am happy.
Let’s hope I can get some happy!
Till next time,
My First Muslin
Or vintage sheet creation, if you prefer. Ahhh, it started out so well. I located and purchased a pattern that would be more than large enough and which appeared to be flattering. I found amazing fabric with a 40% off 
coupon. I carefully adjusted my pattern according to the few things I had learned to do. And I used a lovely old sheet for my muslin to make sure everything would fit just right.
Then, it all began to unravel….
Sewing curved seams bedeviled me. I found oodles of excess pleats and little tucks that got sewn in, out of nowhere. Sigh. Un-sew and sew again. And again.
And finally, the fitting. I was absolutely giddy as I changed into my new “muslin” (isn’t that professional sounding?) so that Mom could help me pin the back seam and check the fit.
Um, wow. The dress was nothing at all as I expected it to be. Even after adjusting carefully for my measurements, the yoke, which was supposed to end on my high bust was dangling dangerously off my full bust, leaving the full bust curve underneath my bust entirely. Much like a cow, I now had udders. Sigh.
We raised the shoulder seams and that got the yoke partially raised into place. But, if I arranged the waist and high bust correctly, there was still quite a bit of fabric that will need to be removed from the bottom of the yoke and the top of the bodice.
My Mom kindly noticed that the side seam of the skirt seemed to stick out at an odd and unflattering angle. After smoothing the skirt, we determined that, unfortunately, that was the angle that runs from my hip to my waist naturally, so there really isn’t any fixing for that (at least that is sewing related).
Other than that, the skirt is nice and full and flowing, just like a summer dress should be. I am almost tempted to cut off the skirt, put in a zipper and waist band and wear it anyway. But, I am holding off because I know that this pattern is not completely hopeless and that as I pick up more skill in altering patterns, I will know how to alter this pattern in the future.
If I can fix it in the future, it will be worth it, because despite the odd hip angle, the skirt is really awesome.
But, that means that this dress (which should have been my Easter dress) that I was planning to wear to a wedding this weekend ain’t happening.
On the other hand, I am so glad I didn’t cut my fashion fabric and made the muslin. So, I have purchased two more patterns and different fabric for a sundress that, I hope and pray, goes together quickly and without a hitch.
Wish me luck!
Till next time.
Another Hatchett Job.... 