Have You Ever Wondered---

You see a to-die-for fabric.  Can't possibly leave the store without it.  Without a specific pattern in mind, how much to buy?  These wonderful, little plastic cards take away the guesswork.

Gwen, of After the Dress, has manufactured these credit-card size jewels after gathering tons and tons of information on her blog.  She calculated yardage for specific garment types, from women's sizes 6-22.  There are calculations for dresses, jackets, shirts, coats, skirts and pants.  Each card refers to a specfic garment type.  For instance, one card deals with dresses.  On the back of that card are drawings of dresses that could be made from the amount of fabric calculated on the front of the card.

I'm sure it took an amazing amount of time to accumulate all that data.  She's done a terrific job on these little cards, which are small enough to slip into a pocket or handbag.  They would make a wonderful gift for yourself or a sewing friend. These are available at:  http://gwynhug.com/

I was able to spend some time in my sewing room today.  I made a muslin of McCall 5941. 

Mine will be a hip-length version, made in black/white houndstooth.  I made a change to the pattern.  The underarm is actually made like a kimono sleeve--squared off in that area, with the underarm seam left open.  Because I am adding a lining to this unlined jacket, I believe it will be easier to insert lining if the underarm is completely sewn.  I simply drew a curve at the underarm, making it a dolman sleeve.

Also, I'm going to add red piping to the collar, and down the front.  The front facing is cut-on.  I'm making the facing separate, so I can pipe the edge.  And, I made a lining pattern.  Tomorrow, I intend to cut and start sewing.  The sky has opened up and snow is falling.  It will be a good day to sew.