The Eyes Have It

Time passes fast, even when you're NOT having fun!  The month of January and part of February have been consumed with getting my eyes fixed.  It takes a lot of I-Doc appts. and may I say I was sincerely tired of eye-drops!  I didn't feel like sewing.  All is better now, and I've getting back to what I love to do.

For some time, I've wanted to have a basic underarm bust-dart jacket pattern.   Try to find one.  Actually, I found TWO.  One is Burda 8332 and the other, Butterick4963.  These two patterns are almost identical in their draft.  Most jacket patterns have a Princess seam, which of course, is a nice shape, and makes fitting a bit easier.  But, I want a basic TNT bust-dart jacket pattern for a couple of reasons.  For one, I want a TNT pattern that I can design upon.  And, sometimes I don't want a print broken up with a seam.   Having a TNT eliminates constant fittings and muslins.  All pluses.

I made muslin(s) of B4963.  Bust dart correctly placed, shoulders and sleeve all good.

I used this new book as a reference.  If you make muslins, this is a very good book, with real photographs showing fitting problems/solutions.

Now, I'm going to make an actual garment with lining, for a final check.  If I'm happy with the results, I'll start drafting collars, sleeves, princess seams--and have a bunch of interchangeable parts.  Also, I can superimpose another pattern onto my TNT and copy design details.  I'm looking forward to having some fun with this.  A few pattern designers have tried to do this with their pattern lines.  Shirley Adams had "Alternative" patterns with interchangeable parts.  It never caught on.  People didn't really know what to do with them.  Nancy Erickson has a few basic patterns and a newsletter to purchase that uses the basic patterns and applies design changes.  I've read a thread at StitchersGuild, about Sure Fit Designs, which builds upon a sloper draft.   There are some informative videos on that site.   Someday, I'm going to buy the program.  After paying for eye surgeries and  unexpected income taxes.  But for now, I  have my own jacket TNT.  It makes me happy.

I did a bit of hand embroidery and sewing pillowcases for Valentines gifts.  I embroidered white pillowcases with blue lettering for my daughter.  Sewed some ric-rac on the hem.  I love their simplicity.  These are just laid on my bed to photograph, and they are large pillowcases,  and I couldn't get them in their entirety.  Here's one:

And the two, side by side:

I made these for my little grandsons.   You know that Spiderman rules don't you?  Even when you sleep!

Burda and OttobreWoman

Happy Labor Day!  I will spend it in my sewing room, cutting and sewing a pair of pants.  I have made one pair of black pants recently and made a sleeveless, black shell to wear under suit jackets.   Not exciting, but necessary.  Since I cleaned out my closets, I found "holes" that need to be plugged.

I do not subscribe to Burda or to OttobreWoman, but occasionally would like to have a copy of either.  They are available as single copies on the following websites:

Burda can be found at: http://www.fashionistafabrics.com/

Ottobre Woman is available from: http://www.sewbaby.com/shopbaby/index.php(click on New Products).  You can see the patterns in the magazine on the Ottobre website, here:http://www.ottobredesign.com/.  I like Ottobre because it features REAL women of all sizes and ages. 

Have a super holiday!