Stash Bash

I am in the process of reducing my fabric stash.  It is a difficult process because I find as I sew items using my stash, I also add to my stash by buying more fabric and people I know keep giving me fabric.  I try not to buy fabric or accept gifts of fabric, but when I see pieces I like, I cannot resist. 

I recently reduced my stash by two pieces of fabric.  I decided to look in my stash for something I could use to make capri pants and a coordinated tee-top.  I wasn’t picky about the color, I just wanted to find something to use from my stash.  I found a piece of red pants-weight fabric that I purchased last year from Zinck’s Fabric Outlet in Ligonier, Indiana.  Then I searched for something that would coordinate with the red to use for a top.  I was open to either a knit or a woven fabric.  I found a piece of knit with prints of various colors (red, navy, pink, green, and yellow).  The red in the print is about the same as the color of the fabric I chose for the capri pants.  The knit is so old I can’t remember where I got it.   I found a piece of knit the same color  red that I could use for the neckband of the tee top.

For the capri pants I used an old Simplicity It’s So Easy pattern number 9674.  The pants have elastic in the waistband and a small slit at the hem at each side seam.  The only alteration to the pattern I had to make was the crotch depth.  The pattern went together quickly and the directions were clear and easy to follow.

I used McCall’s pattern number 6964 for the tee-top.  It is a pattern I have used to make numerous tops, so the alterations were already made.  The colorful top along with the red capri pants make a bright outfit, but I like bold colors so it is perfect for me. 

A picture of both garments is shown below.

 

If you have a stash of fabric that is too large, I hope you are successful in bashing it by sewing articles from it.  I know it is hard to resist buying more fabric, but try to look through your stash first.  You may already have fabric you could use to make anything you want!  Have fun bashing your stash.

Judy

 New Top for New Jacket

After I finished my white and hot pink jacket last month, I knew I needed a hot pink top to wear with it.  I decided to try a pattern by the Cutting Line Designs called "Back By Popular Demand".  The pattern includes a jean jacket and a short raglan sleeve top. 

I was surprised at the amount of ease included in this design.  I started fitting one size and had to start over with one size smaller.  I usually do a full bust adjustment as I find it is necessary with most patterns unless the designer includes that adjustment in the pattern.  I thought the pattern would fit better with bust darts, so I added those.  When I added the bust darts, I also did a full bust adjustment and that was a mistake.  A huge mistake!

Because I did not follow my own recommendations for fitting a pattern, I spent many hours trying to get the top to fit me.  I took-in some of the fabric from the front and back of the top near the underarms and even moved the center front line over a bit. The top was very easy to sew together.  The pattern has easy to follow instructions and goes together quickly.  Here are pictures of the top and the top with the jacket.

As usual, the hardest part of sewing any garment is the fitting process.  If I had followed my own tried and true  techniques for fitting a garment, I would not have experienced the problems I encountered. The techniques I recommend are listed below.

1.  Take your upper bust measurement and compare that to the bust measurements listed on the pattern.  Choose the bust measurement that most closely matches your upper bust measurement.  Don't worry about the pattern not fitting your full bust.  If you use your upper bust measurement, the garment should fit your shoulders and upper bust.  The garment will then hang correctly from the shoulders.  

2.  Copy that size of the top or blouse.  Then measure the bust, waist, and hip areas of your pattern from seam allowance to seam allowance in each of those areas.  

3.  You can then add or subtract to those three areas as needed.  You may want to search on line for how to do those additions or subtractions or look the adjustments up in one of the books I have previously recommended.  My two favorites are:

The Complete Photo Guide to Perfect Fitting by Sarah Veblen and

The Palmer/Pletsch Complete Guide to Fitting by Pati Palmer and Marto Alto.

In the future, I will make sure to follow my own recommendations when I fit another pattern.

I hope you are gaining experience with fitting and sewing.  Have fun!

Judy