B5562 Question

I'd appreciate any help I can get with this.  I'm working on B5562 View D.


I added a center back seam and reshaped the side seams, so the fit is almost there. What I didn't account for is the the collar having less drape than what's illustrated on the envelope. Here is how it has sewn up for others, including Sharon, Lori, Shannon and Amanda. They all pretty much sewed the collar as drafted and made great tops.

I want the great top as illustrated on the envelope with all of that wonderful drape. I want those soft folds in the front and back. How do I alter the pattern pieces to achieve that?  Is it this simple? (Ignore the lines I drew.) I already added a little in an attempt to match the FBA I had to do on the front piece. 

Please let me know your thoughts. 

Thanks!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Hope your holiday was a beautiful one. Being able to go to church on Christmas Day was the highlight for me. When I think about the poor worshipers in Nigeria who were killed for doing the same thing, it makes me even more grateful.

I'm also grateful for the cool sewing stuff Christmas bought into my home. Most were put to use Christmas morning! Service didn't start until 12, so I had time for a leisurely breakfast and some sewing before leaving.

Clover Wonder Clips -- I'm using these on the knit top I'm working on. I like them so far.

Full Busted DVD -- I watched this bright and early. It is really helpful. I will be getting some of the other Palmer-Pletsch DVDs as I move on to other projects.

The Colette Sewing Handbook -- Carolyn and Robin have already written about this. I want to heap on the praise too. It is perfect.  I think I want to make everything in the book.

Sixth Finger Stiletto --  Love it.

What goodies did Santa bring you?

The Velvet Curtain

Last year, I really, really, really wanted this dress for Christmas. 

The pattern never made it from the envelope. Why? I bought this beautiful stretch velvet in hunter green. While the salesperson was cutting it, I noticed bolt marks. I asked if these would come out after pre-washing the fabric. She said yes. Y'all, I didn't know any better. After washing the fabric, the bolt marks (as you may have guessed) were still there.

I didn't think I could take the fabric back because I had already cut a swatch from it. I became discouraged. I figured I could buy more and use the first piece as a muslin. I have yet to find that fabric in the store again. I could order it online from the same retailer, but I was afraid of bolt marks.

I ordered some from another retailer. The quality wasn't as good and the color was slightly different. By now, Christmas was gone, so I FOLDED all the fabric and put it away. (Clearly I'm a glutton for punishment).

I saw this post from Gertie recently. It made me think of my stretch velvet lows from a year ago. I pulled out the fabric and prepared to hang it. Then, I had a thought. Since this was stretch and not regular velvet and I managed to snag a needle board earlier this year, could I rescue the fabric? The answer was yes! If I placed the pile against the needle board and gave the backing a shot of steam (no direct contact), the marks seemed to go away! I did a couple of small tests and I think it works. Yea!

Meanwhile, my stretch velvet is now hanging from a lamp in my sewing room, awaiting its 2012 fate. It reminds me of curtain panels. I have to use it quickly because it can't hang on the lamp forever. My closets are so full, I don't have a space where it could hang freely.

Spring Has Sprung (Somewhere)

So winter official starts tonight. However, Simplicity and McCall's have already moved on! In Chicago, we haven't had our first hard snow yet. No worries, I'll fondly look at these and think happy thoughts again in a few weeks.

I'll start with Simplicity

1909 -- Late entry for Pippa's dress. Style Arc and Butterick were faster off the block.


1913 -- I love this look!


1914 -- Amazing Fit

1918 -- More Amazing Fit


1920 -- Great coordinates, especially the neck ring and belt!


On to McCall:

6504 -- Gotta have that asymmetrical hem


6503 -- loving view D


6506 -- most definitely. Multiple cup sizes.


6507 -- yes please! Multiple cup sizes.


6514 -- thinking about these.



6510 -- loving this!

Seeing is Believing

Dare I say that I might actually *gasp* finish a project, but *double gasp* finish it on time? It's a relatively simple top, but I was getting stuck where I usually get stuck -- sway back and my curvy rear. I even tried this wonderful resource, but I just couldn't get it.

Here's why:

My back looks kinda curvy! I had to add a CB seam and pin fit it to death.  To get here took me two muslins and at least five attempts on paper. Without a waist seam, I think this is the best I can do for a fitted top. It's not perfect, but it's the best fitting back I've ever had.

Question -- should I give up all hope of seamless backs?

The shoulder seam needs work, but I'll live with it. I did a 1/2" square shoulder adjustment. Could I possibly need more? The hemline was trial and error. Looks like I need to add 1/4" at the CB seam and true it.  People talk about tops pulling backward, but mine pull forward and the front neckline always seems too big...

Anyhoo. I may just pull this off in time for New Year's Eve! I'm supposed to be working on this SWAP, but now that I think I've semi-solved my backside issue, knit tops and dresses keep popping into my head.

Back Home

So, there has been no sewing activity for a while. My aunt passed the day before Thanksgiving and things haven't gotten back to normal. It was my first time dealing with funeral arrangements (a cousin and I decided we would take on as much of the burden as possible) and the after-funeral business. There were some good laughs, though.

I now have a renewed desire to clean out everything I don't use. This means I'm about to donate all the 10s, 12s and 14s I've lugged across state lines for 10 years! My reward to myself after I lose weight will be a new wardrobe. I need to donate some books too. My important papers were already organized. I just need to change some beneficiaries and contact info.

Hoping I can sit down tonight and at least trace my skirt pattern. I'm almost afraid to see how much progress the other sew-along members have made. 

I got in last night. I've spent today unpacking, washing clothes and trying to put my house back in order. The good news is I don't have to cook because I have all of my frozen Thanksgiving leftovers :-)