This is How You Do It!

This email popped up in my inbox earlier this week.

Get the Perfect Fit - Fashion For Every Size at Simplicity

It made me very happy, but it also reminded me of a source of great frustration. This is not a rant about the lack of plus size patterns. Since Carolyn put the industry on blast so eloquently, I feel no need to elaborate. (Insert plug here for Barbara Deckert's Plus Size Pattern Fitting & Design on Craftsy.)

This is a rant about website design and functionality. Simplicity.com makes it so easy to find patterns for me. The links for plus-size and patterns with multiple cup sizes are wonderful. I remember when McCall's started adding the bra icon to its patterns to denote multiple cup sizes.  How about a clickable link to all such patterns across Vogue, Butterick and McCall's?!

This is not rocket science, but marketing common sense. The powers that be figured out there was a market for patterns with multiple cup sizes, but make them hard to find. Vogue's patterns with multiple cup sizes (Custom Fit) are always in the Very Easy Vogue line. There isn't even a link to Very Easy Vogue when you first see site's main left-hand navigation, but it is a separate section in the printed catalog. On the site, you have to first select a category like dresses to get to to them. Then you have to look at each one of the patterns to figure out which are Custom Fit. Geez. Make it easier for me. What if I wanted to see all of the Custom Fit tops and dresses at once?

I'll end my rant by pleading for more patterns with multiple cup sizes. I heart Silhouette because the work is done for me. Palmer/Pletsch has great merit in teaching fit, but I honestly prefer being able to choose the correct cup size. Shout-out to In-House Patterns because they start with a D-cup and give you instructions to add or subtract as you see fit.

Beefing Up the Stash

I was pretty good about my stash in 2012! I guess it was because I didn't sew much, so I didn't feel the need to troll online hunting fabric. In fact, the only order I placed with Fabric.com was for swatches! Don't get me wrong; I did buy fabric last year -- I just didn't buy so much that I need to hang my head in shame.

As I thought about the clothes I needed and would hopefully make in 2013, I realized that while "The Collection" as it's named on my secret Pinterest board has a nice mix of pretty stuff and even practical rayon-spandex jerseys, it's lacking in two areas:  wool crepe and basic sweater knits.  Blame the weather, Craftsy.com and Cidell for helping me zero in on these gaping holes :-)

I also realized that my favorite RTW tops are two sweater rib knit tunics from Macy's. I thought this Silhouette Pattern would be a nice sibling to them. When I checked The Collection, my jerseys didn't seem substantial enough. I also have zero rib knits. I have plenty of awesome ITY, but that's another story.

Adding to my need for knits is the twin set. Ilove, love, love twin sets. It's a fitted top with something that covers the gap I usually have in at the center back waist in RTW pants. What's not to love?! I wear twin sets so much that my coworkers tease me.  Silhouette to the rescue again!  Can't wait to make this set. And the FBA is already done for me!

Enter Fabric.com! I clicked through the sweater rib knit fabrics and pinned each one that was medium weight. I think each one of them can be reordered, so I can rest easy at night (and stick to my budgeting goal). I want to attempt some turtlenecks too, since I found this blog post on a no-dart FBA tutorial for girls with big girlz.

O' how I love heather charcoal and pink! These are $5 a yard!  Hmmm. They might need to be colorblocked in this HP top. I digress.

In the most recent Nancy's Notions catalog, I was intrigued by these new Bare Knits. Talk about twin set heaven!



The jury is still out on the wool crepe. It's a little more of an investment. I can also wait to purchase it because I have so many knit projects I want to get through first. Heck, I can't even get to those until I finish the Burda skirt.  I will say that my heart is set on finding wool crepe in the plum and rust families.

Last but not least, I need some sequins in my life! I need summer sparkle, fall fabulousness and holiday hotness. Clearly, these are not a priority until I get the basics down, but it's fun to dream!

P.S. If you're looking for the Fabric Problem pendant, click here.

There Is Hope

Long time no write or sew. However, there is hope!  I had finally given up on my dream of a fitted T-shirt without a bust dart.  Here's how it happened:  As I was walking into the office one day, I noticed the number of C+ women in T-shirts without bust darts and the fit of their shirts. It just wasn't cute. I guess I need a dart. It was a grim revelation.  (There's a 4" difference between my upper bust and bust, so who was I kidding?)

Then I discovered these!




Woo hoo! Bring on the French dart! Patterns have been purchased, fabric debated, but no tracing as of yet. My Thanksgiving was not as carefree as I'd planned, so I didn't get to start on one.

I also really, really want a cowl neck top.  When I found this one, I got really excited. The only bummer is it's sleeveless. I'm thinking about starting with it for a quick win. It's my first downloadable pattern!
                                            

But wait, there's more! I spied this tutorial on a PatternReview.com review the other day. I haven't had a chance to digest it yet.

Can't wait until my Christmas break!