needlewoman

Sorry, just realised that Nicole also suggested the Ice Cream dress. I really recommend that pattern, and I’d be happy to help out if you haven’t time/cash to buy pattern.

Other than my suggestion, all the other advice from far more experienced sewists sounds spot on. The Garden Party is good pattern for widening the chest/waist/skirt without distorting the line of the original pattern.

At the risk of being unhelpful, would ‘Mama’ come at the Ice Cream dress for her girl? The pattern is extremely roomy, and it’s likely that the size 12 would give your client plenty of room, and disguise the chest, and tummy. (I do sympathise; altho not terribly overweight at the onset of puberty, I was rather ‘bolster shaped’ for a couple of…[Read more]

Thank you Sarvi; I realise some very poor punctuation/sentence construction does infer that ‘nana’s size’ is relevant. Of course, it’s not! The child is size 8, and lives interstate so it will be her grandmother who will be securing the fit of the elastic on the child. I’ve decided to cut a 6″ piece, and feel reasonably confident that should be…[Read more]

Hi Charlene, isn’t that annoying when a pattern piece goes ‘walkabout’? The dimensions of the bias casing pattern piece are 8.5″x 1.5″ for all sizes in your pattern’s range. You’ll find this cut piece is very generous for the smaller sleeve sizes; obviously you cut two, on the bias. Hope you will post a picture of your finished garment.

Thank you ladies for your opinions on trim on ‘front’ only; more opinions still welcome. Some of my ‘mums’ have had probs in the past knowing the front from the back of some O+S tops unless the outfit has pockets. Well I’ll give it a whirl with the front only, and see what happens. Currently making a Hopscotch skirt of light weight aqua cord with…[Read more]

Thank you ladies for your opinions on trim on ‘front’ only; more opinions still welcome. Some of my ‘mums’ have had probs in the past knowing the front from the back of some O+S tops unless the outfit has pockets. Well I’ll give it a whirl with the front only, and see what happens. Currently making a Hopscotch skirt of light weight aqua cord with…[Read more]

I am working through the 7 Class Picnic blouses that I cut out at the ‘doghouse’. And I have a query for the forum re. trimming the yoke. I have made two CP’s a couple of months ago to which I added ric-rac on the seamlines of both the front, and back yoke. And the effect was attractive,I thought. Since then, I have wondered if it would help kids,…[Read more]

I am working through the 7 Class Picnic blouses that I cut out at the ‘doghouse’. And I have a query for the forum re. trimming the yoke. I have made two CP’s a couple of months ago to which I added ric-rac on the seamlines of both the front, and back yoke. And the effect was attractive,I thought. Since then, I have wondered if it would help kids,…[Read more]

This is a great idea, T; I’m sure your nephew would really appreciate a food parcel – especially with Xmas fast approaching. Once a upon a time I would have suggested that you contact David Jones – they did great food parcels but of course you paid a higher cost for the edibles. What about ‘Send a Basket’? Even if they can’t help with an overseas…[Read more]

This is a great idea, T; I’m sure your nephew would really appreciate a food parcel – especially with Xmas fast approaching. Once a upon a time I would have suggested that you contact David Jones – they did great food parcels but of course you paid a higher cost for the edibles. What about ‘Send a Basket’? Even if they can’t help with an overseas…[Read more]

That you are even seriously thinking of this project while you are unwell, Jess, is real heroism! And yes, I know about the vivid dreams consequent on certain types of cough syrup. I made 3 sets in different sizes of SO pj’s a couple of years ago. It’s such a roomy pattern allover that it often looks longer on kids even the leggy ones. You could…[Read more]

Hi everyone, I haven’t been able to contribute to these forums for the last three weeks as I have been house, and dog-sitting. Home today, hurray!! No sewing done during this period whatsoever; but I have been able to trace, draft, and cut out nearly 30 outfits – all neatly packaged in sturdy plastic bags – you know the ones with the…[Read more]

Hi everyone, I haven’t been able to contribute to these forums for the last three weeks as I have been house, and dog-sitting. Home today, hurray!! No sewing done during this period whatsoever; but I have been able to trace, draft, and cut out nearly 30 outfits – all neatly packaged in sturdy plastic bags – you know the ones with the…[Read more]

Congratulations Nicole; you are a marvel about working with challenging fabrics, and so I’m extra glad for you that Zara is so very happy. Star War boxer shorts – the mind boggles, T!

I got some marvellous feedback re. the shorts, and shirt I finished to fitting point, last week. The grey/cream sketchbook shorts came back today, and I’ve…[Read more]

Congratulations Nicole; you are a marvel about working with challenging fabrics, and so I’m extra glad for you that Zara is so very happy. Star War boxer shorts – the mind boggles, T!

I got some marvellous feedback re. the shorts, and shirt I finished to fitting point, last week. The grey/cream sketchbook shorts came back today, and I’ve…[Read more]

Thanks for that Dubhels, I’m a book nut; I will check it out.

I second the butterfly skirt! It’s an awesomely easy pattern to make up, and works really well with ‘tricky’ fabrics – ie ones where you don’t want to break up the fabric’s pattern with seams in the front or with corduroy/velvet fabric where seams can look lumpy – that’s my only quarrel with the Music Class skirt. The London Calling fabric is…[Read more]

Sympathetic understanding to all; what a pip!! Next one (of whatever you have messed up) will brilliant.