Saturday, April 26, 2014
Thursday, April 24, 2014
How To Adjust A Pattern
As most of you sewing fanatics have come to find out, purchasing a
commercial pattern in your size is not always a safe bet. Even though the
pattern guarantees the piece of clothing you will make will fit like a glove,
sometimes, this “glove” ends up fitting more like a mitten.
Since most commercial patterns usually need some alterations,
knowing how to adjust a pattern prior to construction is a useful skill and
very much a necessary one to have. The
steps listed below will outline the essentials of adjusting a pattern. Let’s get to it!
MEASUREMENTS
Accurate body measurements are key when selecting a pattern. Take and record your measurements periodically to
ensure your sizing will be correct before buying a pattern. In relation to the
type of garment you will be sewing, keep a chart of your measurements and the
date and update it once in awhile.
PATTERN COPY
If you need to make any pattern modifications and want to preserve
the original pattern, trace a copy! This way, you will always have the original
as a reference.
EASE
For wearability, each pattern has a certain amount of ease. Although
the amount of ease is not always specified on the pattern envelope, it should
be noted on each pattern piece. This will tell you how much “allowance” each
garment has, so you can subtract and/or add accordingly.
WHERE TO ADJUST
Knowing exactly where to adjust the pattern exclusively for your
body type is crucial when attempting to achieve the ideal fit. This skill takes
time to develop, since you will need to sew a few garments (or muslins) in
order to take note of which areas need improvement. Great news is, once you
have figured out which revisions you need to make, you can apply this to most
patterns in the future.
Follow these four
fundamental steps and slowly but surely, you’ll have garments that fit you just
right in all the right spots! Send me your questions and comments about
adjusting patterns below!
Published in LoveSewing Magazine on March 17, 2014
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Make A Shirtdress From An Oversized Shirt
Use an oversized denim shirt to make a dress! Add an
embroidery detail for a super girly effect.
SUPPLIES
1 oversized denim button-up shirt
embroidered fabric to add on
(or you can use decorative stitches on your machine to create your own design)
piece of lace trim (for collar
detail)
½” wide elastic (length of your
waist + 1”)
pins
seam ripper
marking pencil
scissors
INSTRUCTIONS
Armholes & Sleeves:
Since the shirt is oversized, check if the armholes need to be brought up to
sit on your shoulders properly and if the sleeves need to be taken in. If so,
using a seam ripper, take apart the sleeves from the armholes and adjust the
armholes to your measurements. Take in the sleeves, adjust (if need be), and
then sew back into the armholes.
STEP 2
Mark the waistline on the wrong side of the shirt using the marking pencil.
STEP 3
Place the elastic on top of the waist marking. Slightly pull the elastic as you stitch along each edge.
STEP 4
Place
the embroidery detail fabric on your shirt, pin, and then edge stitch along
each piece.
* To create an embroidery design instead of using fabric, use the decorative stitch options on your machine.
* To create an embroidery design instead of using fabric, use the decorative stitch options on your machine.
STEP 5
Pin the right side of the lace trim to the wrong side of the collar edge, then edge stitch.
#DIYeverything
Published in LoveSewing Magazine on March 25, 2014
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