Still Here...,

It has been over a week since my last post. Still no sewing and very little blog reading. At work, we are just finishing up the NIH deadlines for (November 5th and 16th). Wednesday, The UI "working group - To Be Processes" met in Pontiac for an all day meeting. It's been very hectic at work these days, but I remain grateful to have a job. My girlfriend group started our spa weekend on Thursday. And let me tell you..., I was over joyed to leave Chicago for some pampered R&R. We had a great time and are already planning to next trip (February).

Sewing News...,

There are still several garments on the cutting table, but I have started thinking about Christmas gifts for family members. My budget is a little tight and I wanted to come up with some creative gifts this year. My sister is the host for Christmas dinner. So I don't have to worry about dinner.

My coat for the Great Coat Sew Along is still not finished. I'm bumping that to the top of the list. Today I felt like wearing my new coat, but it's not half finished. Two jackets are high on the list as well. Now that I've had a rest, the new week offers great promise for finishing "something". We'll see how it goes.

Happy Sewing!
C

Signed, Sealed, Delivered!!! Barack Obama!

Not Much Time for Blogging

Still here..., Not much time for blogging or sewing of any sort. We are finishing up an NIH deadline. MY GOODNESS! I'm tired!

Found the Right Slack - S2860

I am so pleased with the results of this pattern and would encourage you to go out and grab a copy. It's a very good fit without going through my usual crotch curve alteration.

Pattern Description: Misses' pants with individual pattern pieces given for slim, average, and curvy fit. Includes customized fitting instructions.

Pattern Sizing: sizes 8 - 22

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes. There was nothing confusing for me. Great instructions -- Several tips were included on how to make fitting adjustments. They lack instructions on making a sway back adjustment to the waistband and the adjustment on the length of the crotch was different from my normal adjustments. See my adjustment method hear. Also see comparison of M5710 and S2860 here.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? There are a few things that I really liked about it. The claim of an "amazing fit" was achieved. The instructions on how to make the fitting adjustments were pretty good. The pattern seam allowances were 1" instead of the usual 5/8", which is a plus when making adjustments. The process of constructing the pants was different from the typical instructions that you see with the big four, applying the waistband section to each piece of the pant before joining the side seams and CB seams.

Fabric Used: Polyester Gabardine (Vogue Fabrics) for the wearable muslin and very nice wool suiting from Fishman's Fabric.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I only made a few fitting adjustments.
- I added approximately 3 inches to the length. The pattern's inseam measured 33 inches, which enable me to put a generous hem the pant.
- Sway back adjustment to the back waistband.
- The seam allowances were 1 inch. I ended up sewing at 1 1/4" inch allowance. Based on my measurements I collected the curvy version, but I think the average version would have been better for me as far as wearing ease.
- I added a full lining to my second wear (wool), cutting it crosswise.
Assemble the lining, sewing all seams together except for the CF at the zipper opening; then finishing the edges. The lining was cut 2" shorter the pants.



This time I didn't follow my normal process of attaching the lining to the inside of the pants after attaching waistband; then hand stitching the inside of the waistband. Because of the pant construction, I followed the process below: Pin lining to inner waistband. This was a first for me. Only problem, I had a little trouble figuring out how to completely attach it and secure the waistband.



Lining attached to waistband



Next, I attached the lining to the fly/zipper.



There is a slight opening just below the zipper that I didn't attach. During the process I didn't consult any manuals or sewing books. Later I will search for some instructions on making a more polished look.



To secure the waistband, I simply stitched in the ditch of the side seams.



Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Sure will. This pattern fits very well and can be used as a sloper for altering other pant patterns. Additionally, I can use it to add welt or side pockets.

Conclusion: This pattern offers some great fitting options. It is versatile and can be used as wardrobe builder.

Weekend Sewing - Simplicity2860

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Mines was kinda of quiet: cooked, cleaned, sewed, church, and little family visiting. I finished two pair of pants using Simplicity 2860. It definitely delivers on all claims. This is one to add to your pattern collection. You can use it as a basis for other designs/styles: adding welt pockets, tabs, or pleats. Great fit. I wanted to post the review and pictures today, but I got a flat tire yesterday and today my step-dad said that I needed new tires. Well, I ended up at Sears replacing the tires instead on going into the office. It didn't take very long to replace them, but I decided to just work from home the rest of the day.

Before the end of the week I'll provide my complete review.

Happy Sewing!
C

Love My Pattern Collection

Like many sewists, my pattern collection is over the top. I enjoy collecting, studying, and sewing from them. With each sale (Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's and Hancock's) there is another opportunity to pick something interesting. In the past fifteen years my pattern collection has grown exponentially. Partly due to my approach to buying patterns. Previously I brought a pattern because I was planning to making an outfit for an occasion or for someone else's occasion (commissioned sewing). But now I buy for other reasons:

Teaching fit/construction techniques - I'm forever in "fitting school", always looking for ways to improve the fit of my garments as well as fitting my occasional client. This is so important to have each section of the garment portionally balanced. It can be well put together; but if it is ill-fitted, the garment can be uncomfortable to wear. I'm on a continuous quest for the ultimate "polished look". So any pattern that has some tips of the RTW polishing is a plus.

Styles of garments - At one point, my goal was to buy a pattern of every possible style of for each garment type. I know that sounds crazy, but..., Recently, some pattern companies have made it easy to have several style options (dress) within one pattern. This is a welcome change and may or may not reduce the number that I buy. lol

And finally,

Client requests - I sew for a select group of people, who have special requests. Some requests may require that I buy two patterns that I combine to create one garment. My confidence level is not high enough to try drafting my own pattern. So if I can create their design by using two patterns with some minor tweeking of the style, I'm good.

Soooo.., That's it on why have hundreds of patterns. Why do you collect them?


Here are a few parting shots. I'm copying one of Summerset's blog features. Lindsay T posted an article on "Would you Ever Make a Wedding Gown? I made two: mine and a member of my church.

The Sloper Pattern - S2860 Fitting Pants PT III

I call this the sloper pattern. It's all about making the perfect fitting pant. The pattern cover says:

- Contoured Waistband - comfortably sits 1/2" below the natural waistline
- Side Seams - Hang straight without pulling toward the front or back
- Center Seam - Has enough room for movement without sagging or creeping

Sounds good, right? Wait it gets better..., The pattern including three patterns for three different body types: slim, average, and curvy. So course, I'm trying it out. Part of my evaluation is to compare it to the adjustments that I currently use for getting the right fit for me.



The pattern instructions are pretty good. They include information of how to determine your figure type and how to select the appropriate pattern pieces for that figure type.



Details on fitting the waistline using darts for each body type.



Illiustrations and instructions on fine tuning the pants as you go.

Illiustration of the body space of the M5710 pattern.

The body space of the Simplicity pattern (2860) is narrower than the space of the M5710.

Here are the back patterns of S2860 and M5710 side by side. I can see the similarity in the shape of the side seam, but the crotch line is different. Based on my measurements, I should use the curvy version of the pattern.Finally, I placed the back of M5710 over the back of S2860 to further compare the two. The crotch curve is quite different. The base of the crotch line falls about 1 1/2" lower than the M5710. I'll see how big of a difference this weekend.

Happy Sewing!
C