I'm going to try something a little different tonight. I usually try to keep my paragraphs to a minimum and show some photos. However, tonight I am going to maybe talk a little more than usual and use MORE photos. I LOVE blogs with photos, but I never know which shots people would be interested in seeing. I'm going to practice at sharing more - bear with me please! :)
All right, this is a continuation of my previous post. I wasn't certain which project I would start. Well, I decided on the Simplicity Threads blouse - 3684. I decided that I wanted to use a portion of the "Embroidered Crinkle Voile" blouse fabric as the skirt pleat in pattern Simplicity Threads 2758. I didn't know how much I would have left and I wanted to see if my plan would work. So far, I think I have enough fabric left to do that - if I don't mess up on the blouse and need to use more fabric. Eeeek!
My first battle of this blouse construction was to choose a size to make. It seems that I have weird measurement - 34, 33, 42. DOH! So I'm more of a pear or triangle than I am hourglass shape, like I thought. I think during my weight loss, there was a point where I was more of an hourglass. The pattern envelope said that my bust measurement is a size 14, waist 20, and hips size 18. The pattern doesn't go up to 18 or 20 and that got me worried. I measured the largest pattern that came in the envelope - size 16. I know that apparel sewers are encouraged to choose their blouse pattern sizes by the chest/bust measurement, but when I measured the size 16, everything seemed to match up to my measurements okay. I even excluded the seam allowance on the measure. :D
This particular pattern came with a little cube of information on measuring that I cut out to put in my 3-ring sewing binder.
So, I chose a size 16 blouse and went hard at it. I got my pattern adjusting tools out and worked my magic. If I mess up, I want to be able to trace the pattern again to fix my mistake.
After my pattern was traced and adjusted - which was only an add of 1/2" on the hip/hem of the blouse, I cut it all out . (I want to be able to wear baggier jeans with this blouse too - my belly expands when I sit. My Reader's Digest New Complete Guide to Sewing book from school says that I should have at least 2" of wearing ease on the hip. The waist is 3/4" to 1" and the bust is 3".)
After I cut out my fashion fabric I marked the darts and pleats with the water soluble fabric marker. I tested this many times on my fabric too - it's so pretty and there isn't a guarantee that I will be able to purchase more if I ruin what I have.
The directions said to stay-stitch the curves of the neck and yokes.
Here is my fabric loosely pinned on my dress form. It seems to look fine and dandy. I'm not too worried at this point. I know that 5/8" seam allowances will take up some of that bulk you see.
My darts seem to be in the right spot too. 10" from shoulder to bust point. :) The dart should stop 1" away from the bust point, but this blouse has a different design from the Oxford fitted blouse. Again, no worries yet.
Okay, on to the trim! I don't HAVE it yet, but I used a piece that I did have that is the correct size for the project. The HEARTS are so CUTE! I am planning on purchasing a nude color of hearts lace if I am able to, otherwise, I might get white and dye it. In these photos the white doesn't look terrible, but it's not quite the look I am shooting for. I might stop up at the fabric store tomorrow. ...hope I'm home within 1 hour. I was at SR Harris for FOUR HOURS! Argh!
This last photo is showing (trying to show) my new Consew iron system. I'm madly in love. It's SO heavy and I don't EVER have to "press" my garments. I just let the weight of the iron do the work - very slick. I'm excited to press each seam after I've sewn it now. That was a "hit or miss" task for me with my old iron. BOO! Bad sewing behaviors! Hahaha...
Before I close tonight, I gotta just mention my fear about this blouse. Well, TWO fears, actually. Collar. And sleeve bands. Sigh. OH! OH! And, buttons. So THREE fears. I'm already dreading this process, but I want the blouse and I want to learn something new - build confidence and such. I will press forward! No pun intended. :P ...I will lead my one woman army into victory.
I will post my next few steps after I've had time to complete them. :) Until then... Happy Sewing!
PS. I caught 10 fish today and kept two for dinner - Pumpkin Seed and Largemouth Bass. :D YAY!
3 comments:
Wow, sounds like you're doing great on that blouse. I think fitting sleeves is tough. Topstitching always gets me nervous. I can't recall ever doing buttonholes - you're going to learn a lot with this project, LOL. Did you learn to adjust the patterns in school or are you self-taught? I made an adjustment to a pair of flannel pj pants a looong time ago and the waist was then too long. I guess I need to practice that, and you're right, pj's are perfect for that!
I went to Joann yesterday and bought some cute doggy fabric for my new grocery bag holder. I'll have to post a photo. I almost wish I were sewing something where more of the print will show. I'll have some leftover, so we'll see what I come up with. I also bought two pillow forms. I figured out that to make two 12x16 pillows out of one small square of fabric, I can cut the fabric into two pieces and frame that print fabric with a solid fabric(which I already purchased because I had already planned to use it for the back of the pillow. It had been bothering me that I didn't have enough of that fabric for two pillows, so I'm glad that idea finally popped into my head! Okay, this is your blog, not mine, so I'll stop typing and post. Have fun with this blouse!
Oooo... I hope the sleeves won't give me grief. I'm looking forward to working on them because they are pleated. I am going to learn a lot with this project, you're right!
I am self-taught concerning pattern adjustments. I just read my sewing books. I purchased "Fast Fit Easy Pattern Alterations for Every Figure" by Sandra Betzina and she has some good ideas. Otherwise, I use the Vogue Sewing book, Simplicity and the Reader's Digest. :)
You came up with such a good idea for the pillows. I love trying to figure stuff out like that. I never seem to go back to "perfect" my projects though. That's gonna change. :P
...hey, start a sewing blog to post your stuff! That would RULE! (80s term. lol.)
This is going to be so pretty! Your attention to detail is definitely going to pay off.
Wanted to say thanks for stopping by my blog last week. I am definitely going to keep sewing AND blogging! It's fun to show-and-tell, and I've met so many people and gotten a lot of great advice.
Good luck with your top!
Post a Comment