Sizing Up A Pattern - M4817

My friends sister asked me to make this skirt several weeks ago. Being an unexperienced fabric and pattern shopper, she inadvertently picked up the wrong size. So I had to scale the pattern size up to her body measurement. Occasionally, I find myself doing this type of pattern alteration when my/the size is sold out or the pattern is from the period when there was only one size included in the envelope.

There is how I did:





I evenly divide the needed amount at the seam allowance. This technique is easily done for skirts and pants, but can be a little tricky for blouses, dresses and jackets. But it's doable. It just takes a little time.


The finished skirt. She's a happy lady.

Adding Functional Pockets to Vogue 2812

This is the second pair of jeans cut from Vogue 2812. I decided to make functional front pockets for these. First Pair






Here is the process that I followed:

1. For the pocket facing, I used the pattern piece 1 for the upper edge to match curve of the front of the pants at the pocket opening.

2. For the side front pocket, I used pattern piece 4 for upper edge. Then followed the line for the rest using the "new" pocket facing.

3. Cut pocket out of the desired fabric, broadcloth or lining, which ever you prefer.



4. Attached the pocket facing to front of the pants wrong sides together. Then turned, pressed and topstitched.



5. Adding small pocket. Pressed upper edge; then top stitched. Pressed side and lower edge of small pocket as instructed. Pinned small pocket to side front (4) and top stitched sides and lower edges.



6. Sewed side front to new side front for pocket bag.


7. Attached side front to front pants. Basted top and side edges.




Conclusion: This is my first time I attempt at this. The next try I'll make the seam allowance wider along the outer edge of the pocket. Other than that I was satisfied with the results.

Fall 2007 Collection for Me

I completed four of the six muslins for the dresses in my collection. The seventh dress is a UFO that I started in February. It is so difficult for me to narrow down the number of garments in my collection. I've decided to have several sub-sets of my collection. First up is the dress set. I'm in need of new dresses. I have selected seven styles to start: two knit and five woven. So far, three out of the four muslins will be made into actual dresses. The photos of the muslins aren't good. DD and I will have to redo them. I'll post the muslin with each finished dress. The idea behind completing several muslins is a tip from "Think Like a Designer": create all muslins, then begin to construct the actual garments. Stay tuned.