Making Things that Fit. What a Concept.

This post is genius! I grabbed it from Craft Magazine's Blog.

I've been thinking lately of a way I could make LaFwonda (my dressform, above) my size. This is a great idea.

I finished up the white top -- Simplicity 2936 -- with dissappointing results. I didn't really fit it to myself, and at this point in my life and body -- just have to do it. I hate the hassle of fitting, especially when it's a relatively unfitted blouse. But it's gotta be done. Fortunately, I used fabric from my stash that's really kinda like a muslin. So now I have the pattern idea down, and can make a really fitted sloper and actually fit the pattern to myself when I make it again.

I borrowed this book from the library. It's "Fast Fit" by Sandra Betzina (in case the letters are too small for you to read). It's got some good information -- but I'd also like to check out the "Real Fit for Real People" by Pati Palmer. I'm a bookhound -- so I probably should have both books in my library.



I generally use something I got about 20 years ago that has worked every time. It's called "Designing with Dusan." It's two boxes of stuff, mostly just a basic sloper and instructions on taking your measurements and creating your own sloper. But it works! I read the latest issue of Threads yesterday, and realised that I don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on patternmaking software. Although it would make it easier, I don't sew at that level of production to necessitate that kind of investment. Just going back to my sloper is easier and definitely cheaper!




"Fast Fit" gives you several options for adjusting fit, based on your problem area -- broad shoulders, wide hips, etc. The instructions for adapting the pattern are excellent and would work for the moderately experienced sewer who can take a measurement accurately, and read a pattern. Even a beginner would profit from reading this book.




That's it, and today I'll spend getting ready to teach my class on Once A Month Cooking. No sewing -- but I'm hoping to fit in a visit to The Scrap Exchange in Durham on Monday. I'll keep you posted!



xoxox

Justa Coupla . . .

. . . things.

I finally cut out two things for myself: a top, and a skirt.

It's been AGES since I sewed for myself. I find that I am markedly BIGGER than I used to be. And older. We'll see how the styles look, and for some odd reason I don't seem to even remotely fit into a size 10 anymore. What's up with that?

Anyway -- I used fabric from my stash. So now me, in my new skirt, and my Lincoln rocker should match quite nicely.

We'll see if anyone notices. Maybe if I actually SAT in the rocker while wearing the skirt.

I also finished a couple of little gaucho pants for a friend's daughter. She goes to a Christian school and needs loose-fitting pants. Are these the cutest things or what?

xoxox

Mimi Goodwin's Maxi Dress

Head on over to Mimi Goodwin's place for an excellent tutorial on how to copy Old Navy's Maxi Dress for summer.

I'm really impressed with this woman's skills. She's ready for Project Runway anytime!

xoxox

The Big Summer Challenge

Since having gone through the girls' clothing, weeding out what they don't wear -- I've accumulated a box of t-shirts.

At first I thought I'd cut them all up and crochet a rug.

Or not.


New idea. Try and turn this:




into some of these:

I think it will involve a lot of mistakes and possibly some Rit dye.

I'll keep you posted.

xox

How to Make a Capelet

First attempt at making a video -- badly edited -- but here's how to upcycle a man's sweater into a cute capelet for yourself:

Redecorating

I learned some years ago that if my children were slobs, there was a one in five chance that they'd continue to be slobs no matter what I did.

However, if I made sure they had a pretty room, they might be less inclined to be a slob and more inclined to keep it pretty and picked up.

JB and Babydoll share a room, and it's been a mess since we moved in. They have a massive bunkbed that is gorgeous wood, very beachy, plus a dresser and a little bookshelf/nightstand. But in a room that's 10x13, there was never enough space for both of them. My days were full of constant warfare between them.

So recently, I decided to kick them out for the weekend and rearrange everything. I moved the bed into a corner, put little curtains around the bottom bed for JB, hung new curtains. I bought a piece of carpet for the unfinished-as-yet floor. I hung mirrors and shelving. I put a big shelf on the wall near Babydoll's upper bunk for her iPod, endless collection of books, lamp, and clock. I covered pillows and a tri-fold floor mat that now serves as a little sitting area. I even hung up hooks for their jewelry.

"privacy curtains" for JB, who vants to be alooo-ne.

A new full-length mirror helps them getting dressed in the mornings

The square thing is a mat, all folded up, and covered, with the pillows on top. And then the mirrors and shelves and hooks everywhere --

Tiny bookcase and shelves for makeup

So now it's looking pretty nice, and the slobbishness has yet to set in. I think it inevitably will, but it's nice to see the room looking better and more efficient thanks to my ability to sew.

Thanks, Mama, for teaching me all those years ago!