[Mama_Knowles]

I hope it does work out for you Tamara, keep at it!

I finally broke down and bought the PDF for the hula-hoop skirt! I have been drooling over Petra’s for so long now that I just had to have it when it went on sale. I know I said no pattern buying until I sewn all my others but I couldn’t say no. ; ) I am making a cheery summer skirt/shirt set for Sarah tight now. I am using the hopscotch top to go with it but making it into a T-shirt like Nicole does. I thinking that I make three to four pairs of skirts for missy for the summer out of this pattern. (I am so excited!!)

[Nicole]

Sharon, you will whizz through that pattern. I hope you are feeling a little better? I have been thinking of you.

[with love Heidi]

Sharon, that Hula Hoop Skirt is one of my favourites! It’s such a lovley sew and only 2 pattern pieces! And it looks great at all ages and stages, I’ve made it in 6m size but also as a size 16 wrap skirt and all have been worn regularly 🙂

Tamara, have you read the fitting posts over on Sew Lisette?

This one about measuring the chest http://www.sewlisette.com/blog/2011/06/two-resources-to-help-you-find-your-correct-size/

And this one about how the patterns are developed and fit http://www.sewlisette.com/blog/2011/02/how-lisette-sewing-patterns-are-developed/ In particular the first dot point paragraph mentioning it may be worth going down a size from your measurements.

With the first reference I found this method of measuring my chest/shoulders a helpful extra. I have much narrower shoulders than my bust and they are both much smaller than my hips! I find I am at the top of the measurements but by using a combination of the chest measurement, going down one size, doing a FBA and my own small waist/large hip adjustment. I use a quite different size than would be expected from my measurements! 🙂

Would it be helpful if I put up some picture of my adjusted pattern pieces verses their original incarnations? Not that I’ve made the passport but so you can see how different it can get and yet fit my body. 🙂

[Mama_Knowles]

Thank you Nicole, but not much. I see the endocrinologist next Monday so hopefully there is something that can be done to help. The heart pills have helped a lot though but I still have the thyroid problems.

I did finish the skirt and I love, love this pattern! It looks so great and was so easy to make. I can see this becoming habit forming. ; )

[meleliza]

It looks like we have all been busy sewing this weekend! Tamara, if you’re talking about the Passport dress, I think it is quite tricky to get that right. There was a thread in the Lisette forums on those bust darts. I remember puzzling it out one night. It you need help, post some specifics and I’m sure we can work it out! Your measurements, some photos, and the problems you’re having. I’m sure it can get worked out.

I’ve spent the afternoon sewing up a Roller Skate dress and I’m really quite excited by it. It needs a finishing touches, but it is another little white thing and I’m so thrilled I couldn’t wait to share! The design of this pattern is simply spectacular.

[Tamara]

Thanks ladies! I vented my frustrations of the pattern alteration dilemma out via housework this morning. So hopefully by the end of the week my mind will be a little clearer to begin working on it again.

Heidi, thanks for the links. I spent most of Friday afternoon looking through the lisette site to try and find an answer but decided to try the methods on the fitting shell (vogue) to get the method right first before plunging in and making mistakes.

Yes sorry, it is the Passport dress. I wrote my previous post at like 5 am this morning so really wasn’t with it. Having said that, even though I seem to be out of my depth doing this pattern I am sure I have just missed something really minor somewhere along the line. So when I start again I am hoping to have my clone made up so that I can perfect the technique a lot fast and more proficiently than having to rely on photos and my trusty self. Sent hubby in search of brown water activated tape so the clone can be made asap. What I failed to do though is ask him to top up my tracing and drafting supplies but I am sure I will manage. i have grid tracing paper I could use in the mean time.

In the meantime, I am pulling out the photocopies I made of the storybooks I bought little J for Christmas and will use these to make my dinosaurs. I am hoping to have both done by Friday this week.

I hope you have positive results from the endocrinologist Sharon!

[Nicole]

Hugs to you Sharon. xxx

Sewing tiny size 4 Jumprope dresses for Tildy, for school uniform (sob)!

Tamara, try giving Murray clear instructions of how it is meant to look. Jed helps me but I find it best to tell him how it is meant to look. Liken it to tarping a load, i.e. it should be smooth, no wrinkles, not pulling etc.

Be patient. Just because it is obvious to us…..

Jed helped me fit my Traveller dress and the back is awesome.

[Tamara]

Oh no! He did alright for someone who was totally out of his depth – I think if the tables were turned I’d feel and do exactly the same.

I had the seam lines drawn on the muslin and told him he had to pin to match the edges but because they were so tight the pins looked twisted. He was very good yesterday though with running around trying to find water activated tape and I will actually get him to help me do a clone and then I will show him on that how things are supposed to be fitted. He works better with visual examples.

I went to trace the dinosaur pictures last night and I figured I needed the light box to actually see through the fusible web. So put it down yet again to do this morning. This project should be straight forward and not take a huge amount of time.

[Robin]

Funny, I had my husband help me fit the back of a dress this weekend. Patience is the key. Thank you for the descriptive phrases Nicole. I will add that to my book of tricks.

[Mama_Knowles]

Thank you ladies, I do hope to better soon.

I did finish up Sarah’s first summer outfit! The skirt, shirt and hat are done, done, done! It’s freezing here and this has helped to ad some cheer. I love the skirt pattern so much!

Now onto a nursing cover for my nephew’s wife, the baby is due any time now, yippy! I want to crochet he little guy a sweater set too. Then onto some fox over all’s for my baby boy.

[with love Heidi]

Tamara, I often use a window or sliding doors instead of a light box.

[with love Heidi]

No sewing yesterday but we did go through my wardrobe. Now I know what pieces I need to sew in the next couple of weeks to start my new job. Hopefully I can get the family reunion finished today and then onto sewing for myself 🙂

[Tamara]

Heidi, I’m lucky enough to own a large light box (it was a gift from my mum years ago back in my hand embroidery days). I couldn’t use the window because it was dark!

Bring on the family reunion! Happy sewing today Heidi.

Sharon I admire your strategies for head start summer sewing and bringing cheer in freezing weather. It is far too hot to handle fleecy fabrics so I will hold for next season.

[with love Heidi]

Thanks Tamara, it’s going well. I’ve added the school Photo view B sleeves as it will be gifted I am autumn and I thought the longer sleeves would be more appropriate. Just the hem band and snaps, then the trick of finding the “right” button for the front!

[Masha Richart]

Sharon, I hope you get some relief. How you manage all the sewing and taking care of the kids while feeling poorly, I don’t know!

Yesterday was a very productive sewing day. I also lengthened a pair of jeans – this was long overdue. I bought these jeans 12 years ago and they are a very thick, durable denim, but they did shrink in length. I have worn them anyway, but usually tucked into boots, because they fit well everywhere else. I lengthened them by letting down the entire hem, but it wasn’t long enough, so I had to cut strips out of old jeans and attach them. It actually turned out quite well and is like having a brand new pair of jeans!

I also made my 4yo a modified Nature Walk pullover, and cut a new Traveler tunic out of plaid flannel. I cut while watching TV, though, and made a big mistake while cutting the back – I cut it in two pieces instead of on the fold. I had enough fabric to cut a new back, but I was not able to do so while matching the plaid 🙁 Oh well. I hope to get a lot of sewing done today on it.