Lightning McStitch

Hi Maria! I had really good luck with Rijs textile in the Netherlands. They have a huge variety of colors and the texture and weight are very nice. Not very friendly, but nice fabrics. https://www.rijstextiles.com/en/

When we fitted this style we made a design decision that the waist looked better with negative ease. Patternmaking isn’t simply math–the aesthetics and fit and action of the fabric also come into play–and with knits this pattern simply looked and fitted better with a smaller waistline. Keep in mind, too, that with the waist ties the waist…[Read more]

Hi Anne,

Thanks for your patience. The numbers on the charts are correct, so let me see if I can explain the difference between the two size ranges for you. Each size range is developed and fitted independently, so the numbers in terms of ease, etc., aren’t directly related. In other words, we developed the misses size and fitted it to how we…[Read more]

@acs19 the charts do look a bit odd, but they are indeed correct. The two size ranges are built from completely separate blocks, and the patterns are quite different as a result. The expanded size range is much more curvy than the straight size range. If you fall into the sizes that overlap, you can choose which you think will best fit your shape.…[Read more]

Holly, there’s always the option of purchasing the digital version and having it printed large format and mailed. This company does that.

http://www.pdfplotting.com/product/bw-pattern-printing/

Sure, as it happens I did a tutorial specifically to help with this issue! https://oliverands.com/community/blog/2012/10/fitting-a-muslin.html

You could try, but you’ll need to baste the fabric into place rather than fusing it, which means the interfacing won’t be adhered to the fabric. It would probably be ok, but I haven’t tried it on this pattern so I can’t say for sure.

Short version of my long reply….

Use the instructions and pattern pieces that you have, and don’t worry if your instructions differ from what it says in the sew along.

(The pattern piece and the instructions go together. A minor change was made to both for a later printing, and that’s what’s reflected in the sew along. So don’t make any…[Read more]

Colleen, which printing of the the pattern do you have? You can tell by looking at the copyright box on both the pattern sheet and the instructions will tell you. Look for the smallest number you see there in the row of numbers. If the smallest number is 1, you have a copy from the first printing.

In the second printing, Liesl made a minor tweak…[Read more]

Sure–athletic clothes are often made of hydrophobic materials, which makes it difficult to eliminate odors because water is repelled by the fabric. Two suggestions: soak them in a water-vinegar mixture first. Then add some baking soda to the washing machine. Both of these methods will help get rid of odors easily!

That’s really cute! Very inspiring.

It looks great on you! Well done.

Oh, I agree with Lightning! Checks would be darling:

I like Lightning’s thoughts about it! (And I think it’s a size limit regarding posting here. If you make the photo smaller you should be able to post it.)

I believe it’s not just the negative ease of the fabric that drives the difference. The pants have an elastic waist, so the relaxed measurement includes the elastic at rest. The waist will expand significantly when worn due to the elastic and the knit fabric.

There’s a tutorial that will show you exactly how to do that here:

how to turn a long sleeve shirt into short sleeves

My understanding was that you’re sewing the Woodland Stroll Cape?

You can use a lining instead of a facing. That’s perfectly fine. I’m not following exactly what you’re trying to do with two bodice pieces, but it sounds like that’s not important here. Yes, just line it instead of a facing. No problem.

Can’t you just flip it and use the right side? Everything is symmetrical, so just mark the wrong side so you keep it all straight.

Ok, here’s some quick feedback! A couple of things to keep in mind here and with some of the shirts in your closet: this style of shirt is not a fitted blouse. It’s meant to be somewhat loose-fitting with a slightly dropped shoulder. In other words, I think you might be trying to make a fitted blouse with a shirt that’s designed to be more…[Read more]