Joan Holt

I found by getting a good fit in the bust and shoulders the dress ‘skimmed’ the rest of me. It sort of tucked under my bust and hinted at a waist.

Here I had just had my 6 baby and was quite lumpy https://www.flickr.com/photos/motherof5/14999667107/in/album-72157636708064826/

See how it has gentle shaping.…[Read more]

@enbee I had forgotten about the cup size, apologies. You shouldn’t have too then.

I wish I has time to start this and do it with you.

I guess what I would do is is muslin the 8 graded to the 12 ( as you suggested). Put in one sleeve and check the bicep, you made need to add some there, check arm movement and check length.
Sometimes I have to…[Read more]

Me, me!
Small shoulders, big boobs and a big tummah!

You need to make a muslin. A FBA will be your friend here. I did one here http://fiveandcounting-motherof5.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/mama-gets-her-groove-back.html I have no idea if it is the right way but it may help you get started.

Liesl’s FBA instructions are brilliant.

Let me know how you…[Read more]

Just put one of babies on the plane to Ireland. I know she will have a wonderful time but I miss her already.

@florencetaylor Happy New Year to you too!

I did get locked out of Flickr and my son got me back in. I will ask him how he did it. 🙂

@amybeth @beachmom has very kindly opened her blog for you to have a look https://siestasandsewing.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/ruffle-shorts-tutorial.html?m=1

It is a great tutorial but you may want look at it promptly so Cindy can lock it up again.

Good luck!

How about sizing up and then making a blouse or top to wear under it?

http://fiveandcounting-motherof5.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/a-short-tutorial-groan.html

If it helps, I have some photos of the shorts being sewn here.

The only one I know of was Beachmom’s but she is private now.

I have sent her an email but she works full time so it may not be possible for her to share.

I will see what I can do.

Hi Becca.

If your bust puts you in a 10, draft the size 10.
Does the pattern have lengthen/shorten lines? I have made it but can’t remember…

I am 5’3″ and I added a few inches to the hem (but I wanted a deep, weighty hem). The pattern has a slight A-line so if you want to accentuate that, add to the hem. If you don’t want that add to the…[Read more]

Not this pattern but I have a standard shirt pattern. I doubled the cuff and shaped the folded half,back a wee bit, at an angle.

This time of year is so busy!
Thank goodness the Champagne is fizzy.
But the joy of the day

I made the 3/4 sleeves and I don’t think it would be hard to make them longer.

I would just continue the angle, perhaps have a RTW coat that you like the sleeve width nearby, for reference. Just angle out again (mirror the angle) to allow turning and hemming.

Oh, you have twins too @florencetaylor, how lovely!

What a lovely lot of sewing you have to do, I miss sewing pretty wee dresses.

Half way there now, I am not sure I will get it all done. I will probably leave Jed’s shirt (for later) he doesn’t mind.

@lightningmcstitch that mat is amazing, what an incredible gift.

When will the new patterns arrive?
I need some more to survive.
A proper men’s shirt!
Ladies’ jacket and skirt!
My savings will take a swan dive.

This time of year is so busy!

I find most stores stock these type of fabrics and colours, you just have to be disciplined enough to only look for them.

My sewing, a few years back, was ALL the colours and patterns. Now it is very subdued but much more wearable.

Spotlight (Joannes in the USA) stock plain linen, often on sale, which washes and wears quite well.

If you are…[Read more]

Thank you Florence, that made my day to read that.

I am not on FaceBook so thank you for telling me.

This is a lovely forum and was a wonderful therapy for me when I was a bit poorly, post natal. I have made amazing friends which have traveled over to real life.

When will the new patterns arrive?
I need some more to survive.
A proper mens shirt!

I have a few tutorials for some of the older patterns and always happy to help, if I can.

Some of the photos are pretty cheesy, as is the text and I appear to have had a thing for coloured font…

You absolutely can Florence!

May I suggest hand basting so things don’t slip around whilst sewing.