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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: Jayde877
Date: 01-02-2006, 08:31 PM (1 of 6)
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While I'm not exactly a beginner sewer I'm not even close to being advanced. A friend of mine has picked up some patterns for me of shirts and jackets for me to make for myself. I have only sewn one garment for myself and the pattern for it was an older outfit that I had lost part of so I just ripped it apart and used it as a pattern. Anyway, my problem is, I have never sewn anything for myself from a purchased pattern. I have no idea how the item will fit me, obviously I will make a test project before using my good fabric, but I have no way of adjusting the garment ot fit me. I have seen all the posts on making a 'body double' but I am hesitant to do that since if I lose weight it will be worthless and I don't have room to store one anyway. So any suggestions on how to adjust the garment to fit me without the use of a dress form? My only other idea is to have my friend come over and pin the adjustments for me. I appreciate all the help. Charity |
User: Jayde877
Member since: 07-27-2005 Total posts: 106 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 01-03-2006, 07:47 AM (2 of 6)
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You should probably make a fitting muslin for the pieces you're not sure of. Use cheap fabric from the sale table -- Joannes and Hancocks both have them or, if you shop at Walmart, there are always cheap fabrics there. Try to get something with similar drape to your fashion fabric and don't do anything fancy, just baste it together to see how it fits and make your alterations from there. If you need to do much more than add or subtract an inch or two around the edges you might want to pick up a book on alterations and fitting. And write down any changes you make to the pattern so you know next time. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 01-03-2006, 08:09 AM (3 of 6)
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I would have a friend come over and measure me, then make the dummy pattern up, then have the friend come over and help with all the fittings. When I did sew for myself, my daughters would help me and I found it much easier then me trying to see and pin or take out where it needed.
Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: Jayde877
Date: 01-03-2006, 11:45 AM (4 of 6)
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Thanks for your response. I have a daughter who would be more than happy to help, but she's 8 and wouldn't know what exactly to do. My husband I'm sure wouldn't be willing to help so I guess I will just have to have my friend come help me with alterations. As for cheap fabric, that's pretty much all I buy. Wal-Mart $1 and $2 tables are my best friend. When I refer to good fabric, I usually mean the fabric(still cheap) that I have selected for the project. One of the patterns is of a short waisted jacket. My husband's grandmother brought me some very pretty green courderoy that I want to use for it. I have a limited supply of that so I will do a test on some other fabric that I have to make sure it comes out right. One of the other problems I am having is what size to I begin with. She called me as she was picking up the patterns and asked what size I needed. I had no clue. I know pattern sizes are VERY different from RTW sizes. So I did a quick measure and told her to go by that. However, I have found that even the measurements are not completely accurate. It'll be interesting to see what I actually manage to make. Charity |
User: Jayde877
Member since: 07-27-2005 Total posts: 106
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From: Magot
Date: 01-03-2006, 12:07 PM (5 of 6)
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A body double is not expensive to make - 2 rolls of duck tape, an old t shirt some newspaper and a friend. And if you do change size it's not the end of the world. I find it easier to use a body, dear old Gladys, - there is no way I would have my hubby pin me into something! Mind you - the thought of him wrapping me in duct tape makes his eyes gleam too. After a while you will work out which patterns best suit you - I use the free patterns you get with Prima magazine a lot and they make up nearly a size too big. Burda patterns seem about right for me though. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: paroper
Date: 01-03-2006, 12:08 PM (6 of 6)
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It is so much easier to have someone else measure you. When you measure, you need to be sure that you look straight ahead...so many people are tempted to look and it DOES effect the measurment. That is why it is so hard to measure yourself. Don't hold breath, you'd be amazed at how many do. When you measure your bust, put your arms to your side and have them measure through the full part of the bust. The "pec" muscles are under the bust so changing the position of your arms changes the height and size of your bust considerably, again, something you have to do if you are measuring yourself. If you are measuring your hips and bend over to see the tape, the measurment of your hip changes, not to mention that the tape may not stay in place. Muslin is not a bad fabric for testing your fit, but a decent inexpensive plaid or gingham check is better because you can test the pattern to make sure that when it is finished it will be on grain. That can make a real difference in the quality look of your garment. If you end up making a full bust (or even a smaller bust) adjustment, it allows you to make sure that the adjustment is made in such a way that it doesn't effect the grainline. It is also really good for sway backs and other adjustments that may effect the position of the grainline in relationship to the floor. Just make sure that your fabric has enough body that it doesn't "give". A limp fabric just doesn't translate well to a crisp ready made garment. 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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