- Listen to yourself when you say, this may need adjusting. Make sure if it does or not. My shoulders are no longer the broad shoulders they were when I was younger and more athletic. I am petite/short, so are my shoulders. Drop shoulders on me may need to be shortened. I thought this, know this but did not listen to myself.
- Make the adjustments on the pattern and if you use the FFRP fitting method, repin again and test the adjustment to determine if that was what you needed to do. Then when you cut out the fabric, you don't have to figure out how to adjust. I know I can hear some of you saying, make a muslin, that's even better. I don't disagree but if I did that I would be sewing two months to make a garment. Pin fitting works for me if I use the method correctly.
- I can make adjustments when I have sewn a lot of the garment and it is close to being finished. With this dress, I ended up having to undo the lining to the sleeves. This was due in part to the style of the dress and the sleeves not being the normal curved sleeveless type but ones that come to a V and require some extra seaming steps. I ended up taking deeper side seams in the upper bodice piece which hits right at the bust area. This adjustment led to turning in a deeper hem on cap sleeve which in turn shortened the drop shoulder and made for a better fit.
- I learned that when you change the pattern and add a lining that some of the sewing steps must be modified also. I learned from all the changes that I made that if I should make this dress again I will tackle the lining differently. The pattern calls for a lined yoked but not the rest of the dress. Next time I will line the yoke and bodice/bottom seperately. This will work best for this dress.
- I now know that I can think through processes and discover a solution. In years past, I would hit that wall, worry over things, then quit the project. I refused to give up on this and I am glad I did.
- Striving for quality instead of quantity is a good goal and the resulting garment will reflect the quality.
- Sewing is a journey and sometimes there are by-passes and side roads that one takes to get to the final destination.
All that is left for me to do is hem the dress and the lining. And decide on what jacket to make! I am considering the jacket that comes with the dress, but the collar has to be adjusted from the look of it. I also pulled out about four other jacket patterns from my collection and added a couple that I have just recently purchased. I would like to wear this dress and jacket before it is spring! I want to get the jacket started this weekend.
Photos soon.
I agree with everthing you said, especially listening to the little voice in your head. I recently had a lot of sewing and fitting issues on a jacket. I was so proud of myself for working them out. You should be too! I am looking forward to seeing a picture of the completed dress.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I'm glad you solved the issues. There is that old adage "if you think it's hinky, it probably is"... and I think we've all found to our dismay or detriment that it's true with sewing too.
ReplyDeleteI think I've mentioned this is on my sewing agenda too. I've got a muslin cut, but not stitched together, to fit on my sister when she comes next month. Thanks for the heads up re thinking the lining issues through. I'm going to have to take a look at the construction.
Re the jacket - my inner voice is saying that jacket is just not going to be flattering on very much of anyone. What are your other alternatives?
Thanks for these wise words. They give me much to think about.
ReplyDeleteYou've learned some great lessons! And at the point that we are now sewing...sewing for the pleasure and joy that it gives us and NOT just for clothing...those lessons will make the rest of your journey easier!
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