Sewjoyfully

I've been diligently working on a pair of trousers which were too big and had many awkward fits and I've kind of lost my desire for them. But in my head I can't let them go, so they are aside. Then I was inspired when The Betty Dress by SewOverIt landed in my inbox as a FREE download. Um, yes please!








 Attempt 6: And my internet searching *finally* paid off when I discovered the bodice I'd been wanting all along!
 I laid my copied pattern on top (with the full waist adjustment). I had previously added the slight neck extension but now that I could see how the neckline could go you can see I extended the fold line slightly as to not make the bodice even larger. I wasn't sure what to do with the armhole area (under the armhole) but I decided to follow the scoop neck pattern because the original design had no issues under my arm.
 Pattern pieces cut for attempt 6 (at this point I'm scouring my scrap drawer to find anything I can use to clear my head of these adjustments!)





















 So attempt 6 is where I currently live until more muslin can be purchased. I'm already planning other dresses.

For the past two weeks (??), I don't know I've lost track of the days. There were two snow days and my patience is been quite thin this week. I'm also quite a grump when I can't settle a plan of attack in my head to sort things out.

Here's where I am with my shirt pattern.

I cut the pattern an XL because my waist fit that measurement the best. Then I assumed I would have trimmed down the top and hips, but no! I did a simple bust adjustment.






Really it was simple. Added a dart. Mind you this has been a LOT of trial and error. I'm on my second muslin and I will do a third before I touch my fabric. These past two weeks I've taught myself how to do the FBA, add the darts and adjust them ( as one breast is about a cup size larger maybe slightly less) because I did NOT get them right at first. Then I sewed a wonky collar and added a sleeve and that's where I currently am.

So I've come across what seems to be the answer to all my pleas - full tummy adjustment! I'm cautiously optimistic- and as with most things I am ready to dive in without caution BUT trying to embrace a more peaceful way to complete my task. I am already very full in my bust - let's not talk about the struggle to find a well-fitting bra. (I HIGHLY recommend Bratabase) I also carry my weight in my abdomen area (despite diet and exercising 4 days a week, and running half-marathons), I highly suspect it's genetic. My mother and grandmother do as well. They are not nearly as busty as me. 34G if IRC. So there's a possibility that a FBA (Full Bust Adjustment) would suffice for giving extra tummy room but....dun dun dun, I won't know unless I make a muslin first!

I have a few questions:
1) how on earth do you determine how much (inches or cm) you need to adjust for?
2) will it work on a circle skirt?

So a few days ago I ordered muslin (from amazon, naturally) and it should arrive anytime.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Slow and Steady Progress Is Still Progress. Repeat.

In the midst of desiring a wardrobe, I actually began with quilting and I think I've finally found a quite rhythm for quilting. As much as my completionist self desires to complete all the things, all the time and quickly, I stop myself. I've been working on this quilt for three years [in all my defense I was growing and keeping a difficult baby boy while keeping a toddler with some special needs but now that we have a more regular rhythm, I can set aside tasks which I want to complete and do them!] and I am finally on the third step of re-assembling after the first cut and I've got about 47 blocks left to assemble and then cut again.

 

Beginning Sewing after a long hiatus [having babies!] and hoping to create my own wardrobe. I always have big aspirations and expect perfection from myself. I'm also a completionist and hate to leave a task unfinished but I find that rushing creates so many problems. My motto is: Slow Progress Is Still Progress.

I'm hoping that I can bring together some information for others who want to sew a wardrobe or quilt. Usually you see fancy Insta-worthy things and not so much the failures but I'm all about real life. Plus it's always a bonus to reflect on where you began.


Most current failure: