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From: Chrysantha
Date: 09-28-2005, 09:54 PM (1 of 12)
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I've haven't sewn clothes for myself for MANY yrs. Now I find I need a dress or dresses and skirts...I've been SUMMONED for Jury duty after all this time... I bought 2 dress patterns, a blouse pattern and a simple skirt pattern... Now here's the kicker...I wasn't fat as a kid...I didn't get fat till about 20 yrs ago and I have NO idea if making clothes NOW is anything like when you're 'thin'....(yes I DID measure myself in my underwear,BEFORE I went pattern shopping(boy I'm fat  ) I guess I never see myself as that big...(I see the 32 yr old me, not the 50 yr old me...)Any advice from ANYONE will be appreciated !!! (also I have to wear cotton...so that makes it easy too) Thanks, Kath (the nervous) Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 09-28-2005, 10:10 PM (2 of 12)
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Well if jury duty is what it takes to get you back in the game, then so be it! Good luck! And holler if you need a hand.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 09-28-2005, 10:12 PM (3 of 12)
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Chrys, you will do just fine! I don't think its any different than making skinny clothes, but then I'm not skinny. My suggestion would be, make a mockup first. Didn't I read a while ago that you were having a hard time getting back into sewing?? Isn't it the wierdest things that get you going again?? Jury duty! Never done that, hope I don't ever have to. Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: DragonLady
Date: 09-28-2005, 10:18 PM (4 of 12)
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Take a deep, deep breath. Hold your nose. Jump in. You will do just fine. And if you start feeling nervous or scared, just wave at us here, and we'll be glad to help you out. 
"No more twist! No more twist!"
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User: DragonLady
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 152 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 09-28-2005, 11:30 PM (5 of 12)
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Yes...well...I still haven't sewn since March...I HAVE embroidered a bit. But ya know...I just got my 11000 and I have to make clothes for myself cause I can NEVER find what I want. (of course). I haven't owned a dress or a skirt since 95...(I found my black heels I wore that time too...been sittin in the closet all this time...worn once and still fit...thats shoes for ya..too bad clothes aren't the same way....  )Thanks all !!!! 
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: Sewspecial
Date: 09-29-2005, 06:21 AM (6 of 12)
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Chrys, Youll do fine I'm sure of it....I had a girl working for me many years ago who was going to design school. The first thing the teacher made her do was go shopping. She had to leave her credit cards, checkbook and cash at home, and replace it with a pair of snippers, small notebook and pencils. Their assignment was to try on everything they wouldnt normally wear, sketch it and go home and make it. It's something I practice at least every other month. I was once a size 9 top heavy...My top heavy has expanded to my waist and hips. I wear and 18 at top and about a 14 on the bottom. Trying on clothes tells me what is figure flattering, making them myself makes me feel good about myself. Go Get em! Marie SewSpecialCo p.s the snippers were for emergencies only, if you needed to figure out some wierd draping or something. (I can honestly say I've never snipped anything) |
User: Sewspecial
Member since: 09-24-2004 Total posts: 30 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 09-29-2005, 07:33 AM (7 of 12)
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I've haven't sewn clothes for myself for MANY yrs. Now I find I need a dress or dresses and skirts...I've been SUMMONED for Jury duty after all this time... Thanks, Kath (the nervous) Well Jury Duty! I did that in August! They didn't give me enough time to make clothes, so I just had to dig for things  For me it was the 5th time I had been summoned, I figured it would be like all the rest. I would spend the day with questions then be dismissed for whatever reasons. Well not this time! I was selected to sit on the Jury, which meant more digging for things to wear so I feel you pain after 6 years home chasing kids dress clothes were in very short order but I pulled it off the best I could. If you get selected, enjoy the process, it was interesting, a learning experience. 
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 09-29-2005, 08:34 AM (8 of 12)
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Kath -- Whatever you make, be sure you will be comfortable. Pick a style that is loose so you aren't constantly trying to suck stuff in. Dress slacks and a nice blouse and jacket might suit you better. You will get more mileage out of skirts and tops and slacks than a dress because you get different looks with the mix and match. What is really going to get you is that you will get in there and be sitting next to some young woman in jeans and a T-shirt so worn you wouldn't wear them just around the house. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: LadySloPokes
Date: 09-29-2005, 09:26 AM (9 of 12)
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Hey Kath... I just recently made myself a dressy halter top for a business trip that my employer sent me on (was for a 70's dance party on the first night). It was also the first time I've ever made anything for myself since I was 20! I'm in the same boat as you about the size thingie (and the same age-ggrrrrr!). I had also tried to make a pair of pants to match, but they didn't fit around the waist or in the seat-I had cut the pattern too small. RTW stuff is pretty much a size 12 if it's stretchy, but my measurements said size 16 or size 18 on the patterns. That has just depressed me to no end. However, as for the actual sewing part-most of it is still the same as it was 30 years ago. Grainlines, cutting layouts, 5/8" seam allowances except where noted, zippers, hems, facings--not too much has changed except for fusible facings and water soluable stabilizers. Oh, the halter top fit perfectly, as did the Retro shirt I made for my beloved man, who was the first adult I've ever made a garment for-he wears it every week for his bowling leagues!  I'm sure you're gonna do just fine-but take your time if you can-the deep breathing also helps! 
Cookie
LadySlo...yes am I, but hey, I'm gettin' there! Are you sure it's supposed to look like this?! Proud owner of Singer Quantum Decor 7322 & Singer Quantum Futura CE 200.. "A balanced diet is having chocolate in both hands!" |
User: LadySloPokes
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 198 
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From: debsews
Date: 09-29-2005, 10:18 AM (10 of 12)
| Along this line I had decided to make a dress for myself last Easter. I got the pattern and some cheap material to practice on. I'm top heavy, no rear, long waisted and short. So that was a challenge. I went with the 16-18 because that looked to fit my measurements. It didn't even come close. I have tried a couple of more times and gave up finally when I couldn't get the darts in the right place and the waistline was too short. I lengthened the part that said to lengthen and just got frustrated. So no dress for me. I'll try again after the holidays when I have some time for me. Do any of you use dressmaking forms and do they work? I have thought that at least with that you could pin the pattern pieces together on it and sort of see where you need to make adjustments before sewing material. |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 09-29-2005, 11:23 PM (11 of 12)
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Debsews, yup, have an adjustable dummy and yup I use it. Doesn't work worth a darn for pants though I find that unless someone is there to help me pin and tuck on myself I won't sew for myself. The dummy really helps this dummy! And I always have my MIL to fall back on for help when I get really stuck.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Teri
Date: 09-30-2005, 09:01 AM (12 of 12)
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Hi Kath, For what it's worth...I've done jury duty several times and I'd suggest you buy or make yourself a pair of black and a pair of navy or tan pants (maybe with a little stretch in the waistband) then pair the pants up with several pretty washable tops. I usually wear print polyester blouses so if I spill my coffee  it doesn't show as much. Bring a jacket or sweater as AC can be too cold and heat may not be warm enough. Most court houses are big and require plenty of walking so wear comfitable shoes, plus you will most likely have to walk to get your lunch, unless you bring it. Make sure to bring a good book, expect lots of waiting time. I buy my basic pants at Goodwill and save my sewing for fun dresses or skirts the fitting is much easier than pants or blouses.
Teri
"Where are we going, and why am I in this basket?" |
User: Teri
Member since: 09-14-2005 Total posts: 66 
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