Just browsing......

While looking for a pattern link on Kwik Sew for my latest pattern review, I noticed that they have released a few new patterns that I haven't seen before (I went through a phase of looking at their catalogue all the time when I realised how easy -for me- their patterns were to make).

It seems Kwik Sew has finally realised that sewers want to make clothes that look trendy and modern, not just crafty 1990's style stuff.

I quite like the View B of this dress pattern,it reminda me a bit of the Duro dress that was quite big a year os so ago. These pants look like they could be flattering on my figure, with their wide flared leg and higher waistline. Check out the long sleeved version of this jacket, it reminds me of something more typically seen in Burda WOF magazine , with its unusual collar and use of drawstrings .

For newbie sewers (and those who still want to check up on their technique) Simplicity have a "Sewing Buddy" option on their website, where you can download a video (onto your computer and/or ipod) showing how to make New Look pattern 6826. The pattern styling would probably appeal to teen /young adult sewers as well - making it a great way to get the next generation sewing!

Finally Katherine of Bloom's Fabric Obsession has created some wonderful bathers and has very kindly given links a most fantastic online FREE online swimwear pattern school. It's filled with heaps of useful information, written by a swimwear designer/manufacturer and store owner Stuart. You can also download free templates for bathers but make sure you read ALL the handy information on measuring and FAQ's first!

Kwik Sew Dress/ Top (altered) - finished!

Well after many days of procrastination I have finally finished the top muslin made from this Kwik Sew pattern.
I have to say after mucking around with it for so long I am actually quite disappointed with how it turned out. This is by no means the actual original pattern's fault- as I have always found KwikSew patterns to be easy to use and make- but rather is most likely due to the fact that I am very inexperienced in doing full bust alterations.
Plus I kind of "winged" it with this one, not being totally sure what to do.
The main issues are:
- Lack of room in the "bustal" area. I think any extra space I added was taken away again by my extra wide darts, putting me in no better place than I was to begin with.
-The darts themselves: looking at the photo I can now see that the side dart is too high up, and both are too long. Also I got funny wrinkles/ "poufs" at the dart tip which didn't go away no matter how much I pressed them!
- The way in which I did the FBA caused the seamline under the bust to curve upwards, thus making the fabric underneath puff out in a rather unflattering way underneath.
-The lining fabric for the bust (sheeting) has absolutely no give whatsoever. Which is unfortunate as the seersucker floral does.














One thing that I did like was using a tip I read from an old back copy of Australian Stitches to put elastic inside the straps. This stops them from slipping off your shoulder when wearing the top. I used clear elastic for this, however I think I pulled it a little too tight-the straps now dig in like Wonderbra ones! Next time I will cut the elastic only slightly smaller than the strap, not a good inch or so.

All in all I think I can chalk this down to a learning experience. I am not too keen to try and work out the kinks in my alteration as I am pretty sure there must be a better (and easier) way to do it.
If I feel tempted to use this pattern again I would probably look at using a fabric with some in-built stretch, plus follow these guidelines put out by KwikSew on making bust pattern adjustments.

Kwik Sew 2955 Dress (WIP)

I brought this pattern a few years ago when I went through a phase of only wanting to sew Kwik Sew patterns.

I found the pattern really good when getting back into sewing, as the instructions are really clear and all the pieces are printed on good quality thick paper.

I have made this dress up a couple of times already, however due to weight gains over the past year it no longer fits properly in the bodice- at least when made up in a fabric with no stretch as here:

"Squooshed" cleavage overflowing into armpit area!

So I have been trying to figure out how to do an Full Bust Alteration on the bodice area. My "Fit For Real People" doesn't have an exact how-to on this style of bodice (I'm not very experienced), nor has any web sites I've looked at yet (I was hoping someone on SPR may have reviewed this but no such luck!).

So I have kind of been muddling through trying to do it by using a slash-and-spread method. This is my progress so far:

Original bodice section with red lines drawn in for slashing + spreading of bodice (original dart in blue).

Slashed bodice section.





Trying on the slashed bodice to see if its going in the right direction....

Putting tissue paper under the bodice and taping slashed sections down (trying to make centre and side seams sit where they should).

Trying to flatten the slashed+ taped altered bodice and work out how many darts (pluswhere to put them!).

Finished bodice redrawn with new darts (sorry about the pic being side on - I am having issues with loading this one)