Saturday morning I attended an ASG sponsored program teaching young people how to sew. I presented on pin fitting patterns and demonstrating a little of how that works. Another member spoke on sewing a muslin for fitting.
Later that day I began working on the Style Arc Marilyn dress. I cut a 12 in the upper chest/shoulder area and expanded to 14 at the bust area to hemline. After edge finishing with the serger, I then attached the shoulders together and basted the sides and back center seam for fitting.
The dress was huge!!!The seam allowances were for 3/8 inch seams. I ended up taking 5/8 inch seams on the sides. For the back seam I actually took in an inch from the top edge down to the waist and from there took 5/8 seams. This truly made a difference in the fit.
I did not do a forward shoulder adjustment as I when pin fitting the shoulders seemed to be forward. That proved to be correct. I also thought the dress may end up being too big through the body just the way the tracing paper hung.
For me, Style Arc patterns run large for the most part. Though that was not my experience with the cold-shoulder top I recently made. I used a 12 for that and it proved to be too tight through the bodice. I also had a fitting issue with the back shoulder; I had made a FSA for that and given that I did not need to do for this pattern, perhaps that was a factor for the gaping at the back shoulder. Here is a picture from yesterday showing work in progress.
I will share more latter.
Looking good. Love that print.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I got this years ago at Walmart before it became a super store and they no longer sell fabric.
DeleteCombined with the loose fit and the fact that due to stress, I've dropped a few pounds since April when I started on my Marilyn (I know! Pitiful!), mine looked like a sack when I wore it today to church. I received tons of compliments, though. I hate the fabric I used. I'm going to make another, in a smaller size, drapier fabric and might put a zipper in back and add some darts for shaping. Can't wait to see yours. I love the sleeves!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you wore it and got compliments. I think a drapier fabric is right for this dress. I am not sure mine is a drapey as rayon challis would be. I am struggling with the sleeves though I think I got it figured out tonight.
DeleteSuch pretty fabric!
ReplyDeleteThanks Coco! I actually got this years ago at Walmart!
DeleteThis is a Lovely blouse! I bet you will wear it a lot!♥
ReplyDeleteThank you I have almost finished sewing this. The sleeves were a puzzle.
DeleteHow lovely!, Linda! I love your fabric choice. I've never purchased Style Arc patterns, your post is informative for me.
ReplyDeleteThank you Eli. I have mixed results with them. I mostly order from Amazon has you can multiple sizes in one pattern this way.
DeleteI am curious about the ASG sponsored program teaching young people how to sew. Was there good attendance and a high level of interest? Our ASG group has been trying to find ways to reach out to younger sewers and the panel discussion at the recent PatternReview Weekend in NYC was the same topic. Lovely fabric you are using for your top. Hope you get all the fitting issue resolved. I have had mixed luck with the fit on Stylearc patterns. Tops have too much ease and pants not enough.
ReplyDeleteThis was my first time attending the young people sewing class. They also were a part of the ASG meeting Thursday evening. There were several women led my Kathy Pierce that started this about 3 years ago with a sewing camp. I think they did two sewing camps and last year started a monthly sewing program the first Saturday of each month. At the meeting Thursday they presented the various items they have sewn from the camp and some on their own.
DeleteAccording to Kathy there are about 14 young people and may be 2 are males. Many of the young people are grandchildren or children of the members.They range in age from 11-14. If you would like to contact Kathy her email address is kponthehill at gmail dot com. You can tell her that Linda L gave you her email address. The meeting last Saturday had 7 young ladies in attendance. Their mothers or grandmothers usually attend also.