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From: Sparky
Date: 05-14-2005, 11:49 AM (1 of 10)
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I made several aprons as gifts around Christmas, then I made my daughter several sets of scrubs. I finally decided it was time to make something for myself. Now I remember why it is I don't sew for myself.  I decided to make a couple of tops; simple little t-shirt type things that I could figure some way to "fancy up" and wear to work. I did pin the pattern together and put it on, honest. Of course it's kind of hard to tell, since it only covers half the body and you have to be so careful not to tear it, but it looked plenty big. Just for giggles, I decided to do French seams. I didn't even know what those were until I started hanging out here but I was always dissatisfied with the look of unfinished seams, and sometimes my seams fray something awful. The French seams took longer, but I had no trouble with them, except for the time I sewed the first seam, decided I'd sewed it on the wrong side, cut the seams out right next to the stitching, and realized I'd had it right to begin with. Oops. Oh well, I only lost 1/4 inch there. I had decided that my top would look a bit bland, so I made it with the neck interfacing on the outside, using some contrasting fabric I had left over. That came out pretty good. Setting in the sleeves was tricky, but I think I did a pretty good job. Then I tried it on. Let's just say I won't be wearing that shirt to work on Monday.  Well, I finished up the hemming, gave it a good ironing, and hung it in the back of the closet. Most of the time my sewing projects come out too big, but, in the past, I've always found they fit pretty good in a couple of years because I gain weight. This one's too small, but I have actually lost weight lately, so maybe this shirt will fit me next summer, or the summer after. I can hope, right? Now I'm off to JoAnn's to buy another copy of that pattern, or maybe a similar one, that I can cut out in a bigger size. You fall off the horse, you get back on, right? Silly, silly, silly pattern sizing. Sparky
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User: Sparky
Member since: 03-13-2005 Total posts: 94 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 05-14-2005, 12:00 PM (2 of 10)
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Were you using a pattern that was marked "for knits only" ?? I always check the part on the back of the pattern that has the finished garment measurements.. to make sure there is enough room for my body plus the ease. If you were using woven fabric, be sure to use pattern for wovens..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Sparky
Date: 05-14-2005, 03:01 PM (3 of 10)
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Were you using a pattern that was marked "for knits only" ?? I always check the part on the back of the pattern that has the finished garment measurements.. to make sure there is enough room for my body plus the ease. If you were using woven fabric, be sure to use pattern for wovens.. I hadn't thought of that, but this pattern didn't specify knits. In fact, recommended fabrics included batiste, linen, silk, and silk blends. I think I'm just a doofus who can't measure. Sparky
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User: Sparky
Member since: 03-13-2005 Total posts: 94 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-14-2005, 03:14 PM (4 of 10)
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How big was the seam allowance when you made the first seam in the French seam? Also that 1/4 inch you lost didn't help matters. Take it from someone who may have lost a mile in 1/4 inches over the years. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: allie-oops
Date: 05-14-2005, 03:36 PM (5 of 10)
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I have so many patterns that I've bought at the .99 sales over the years - usually I buy craft patterns, but sometimes I get ambitious and buy clothing patterns. The trouble with not buying a lot of clothing patterns is that I ALWAYS forget to look for the right size. No matter what size I ever get to be, I'll have a pattern for it. The only thing I've tried is pj's, and they came out horribly. I am going to give some pants a try - they look easy enough, only 2 hours [hahahahahahahaha]. Rather make a quilt any day, lol! Allie "onward through the fog"
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User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002 Total posts: 282 
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From: paroper
Date: 05-14-2005, 07:20 PM (6 of 10)
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Did you choose the pattern by your RTW dress size or your measurments? If you chose the pattern by your measurments, it should have been comfortable to large, depending on the style and brand of pattern. As the others said, it is possible that you "French seamed" it to death, an extra 1/8 per seam adds up to 1/4 inch...just four of those equals one inch. 1/4 Inch can kill your fit and your design.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Sparky
Date: 05-16-2005, 03:12 PM (7 of 10)
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How big was the seam allowance when you made the first seam in the French seam? Also that 1/4 inch you lost didn't help matters. Take it from someone who may have lost a mile in 1/4 inches over the years. Dorothy First seam was 1/4 inch. You're right that losing that 1/2 inch (1/4+1/4) didn't help, but I didn't do anything wrong to the sleeves and they were way too tight. Sparky
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User: Sparky
Member since: 03-13-2005 Total posts: 94 |
From: Sparky
Date: 05-16-2005, 03:19 PM (8 of 10)
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Did you choose the pattern by your RTW dress size or your measurments? If you chose the pattern by your measurments, it should have been comfortable to large, depending on the style and brand of pattern. As the others said, it is possible that you "French seamed" it to death, an extra 1/8 per seam adds up to 1/4 inch...just four of those equals one inch. 1/4 Inch can kill your fit and your design. I don't think I "French Seamed" it too much, except for messing up and losing 1/2 inch. It only had seams up the sides - basically a t-shirt shape. That's one reason I decided to try the French seams - there wasn't that many of them. I bought a size 14, 16, 18 pattern, feeling sure that one of those would fit me. I pinned the sides and shoulders at the size 14 stitching line and tried it on. Too small. I pinned it again at the 16 line and tried it on and thought it would be fine. I'm beginning to wonder if I had a brain fart and actually pinned it at the cutting line instead of the stitching line.... Sounds like the kind of thing I'd do. Sparky
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User: Sparky
Member since: 03-13-2005 Total posts: 94 |
From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 05-16-2005, 08:27 PM (9 of 10)
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I think this is my fear as well!!! That I pick the pattern and the perfect fabric and spend the time sewing it only for it ending up being too small! What is the best way of measuring to make sure you have the correct size? Please help~I have several things I want to make but I'm scared!  mgf~ 
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288 
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From: paroper
Date: 05-17-2005, 05:44 PM (10 of 10)
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Your best measurments are taken by someone else. It is hard to tell that you are getting the exact measurment at the hips. When it comes to measuring the bust, shoulders and arms, the measurments are effected by the flexing of your muscles when you take the measurment. True measurments of the arms, shoulders and busts are taken with the arms down. When measuring across the back width, if you are making a garment where you will be very active, or if the garment is a tailored jacket, you may also need a measurment with the arms extended which is nearly impossible by yourself. When the measurments are taken, you need to be in something thin like a full slip or exercise body suit. Taking measurments through t-shirts and such really add to the measurments. Never accept measurments taken through blue jeans that change and mold the figure, adding inches to the waist and pushing the body in different areas. Be sure when they take the measurments that they do not insert a finger under the tape measure or pull the tape measure too tight. It should just be a comfortable fit around the body. In addition, at some point, you will find it terribly helpful if the person taking your measurments will do you the service of taking some pictures. Using a digital or an instant camera (we used instant cameras in college), take pictures from the neck down (once again) while wearing a full slip or exercise outfit. You need to stand in your natural pose, arms relaxed at your side and feet flat on the ground side by side. The views you need are full front, full back and side. They won't be very flattering BUT, they will give you a world of information. In the pictures you will be able to see if you have sloped shoulders, square shoulders, perhaps one side of the body is slightly larger, flat hips, "bubble hips", wide or narrow hips, knock knees, bow legs, hump back, sway back, straight back, etc and a will give you a chance to see your own posture. This information along with your honest assessment can be priceless when making your clothing or even altering purchased clothing. It can also help you identify your particular body type and determine clothing styles that can be made with the fewest alterations or will flatter your figure the most. It can also be priceless when making alterations to fit your unique figure and can help you figure out the problem with a garmet. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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