Updated On the Series

I will continue the series once I am able to keep the video card on my laptop from crashing my system….

Dress Pants Pattern Alteration Part 1

I’m so excited about this sewing project. I will be altering a pattern for a very nice pair of dress pants. I want to share the information that I’m learning in school, because I know some books are not very clear on how to do pattern alterations. This post will be the first in a number of how to sewing series/tutorials.

Part 1: Ready to wear size vs. pattern size

Having clothing made from a pattern is different then purchasing ready to wear clothes from a store. Just because you wear a size 18 pant off the store rack is not the same as a size 18 from a pattern. I had no idea that pattern companies make their patterns several  sizes too small. Some say that sizes can be 4 sizes to small depending on the pattern manufacture.

Step 1 (Real Measurements vs. Pattern Measurements)

On the back of the pattern envelop you will find several sizes and a list of measurements, this will let you know how much fabric you need for the view that you like.

The first thing you need to do is look at the measurements on the back of the pattern.  Find your size that you normally wear and then take notice of the of the following sections.

• Waist
• Hip (measure the fullest part of the hip)

According to information on the back of the pattern pack, a size 18 should have a waist measurement of 32 inches and a hip measurement of 42 inches.  Use these numbers as your staring point.  Now measure your self and see how your numbers compare to what is is listed the on pattern.  Click on the links below to see how to measure your hips & waist.  Remember to follow all copy rights laws when using pdf’s from other sites… (You know don’t claim that their yours)

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/4610/how-to-measure-up

www.craftstylish.com/item/830/a-measurement-chart-of-your-very-own

If you are a plus size babe you might not find your size listed on the back. That was the problem that I had.  So after picking out the pattern pieces for the curvy cut of the pants, the size alteration began.

Part 2 will be how to use your measurements resize the pattern.

 

Me vs. The Serger

I purchased this serger during the summer because I wanted to have professional looking edges when my garments were completed. Excited I took it out the box pop in the DVD watched with excitement until…. The lady on the DVD ran through threading it so fast I freaked out and didn’t touch it for about 5 months. So after I started my pattern alteration classes everyone kept telling me how easy it was to thread… just follow the diagram on the machine…

Yea right… Follow the diagram on the machine.  So this past Saturday I decided that it was not going to beat me, (I can build computers, this is just a sewing machine). So after 2 hours I notices something about the set up. Thread cone 1 is not actually thread cone 1. Sort of like connecting spark plugs in a car (spark plug wire 1 doesn’t always go to spark plug 1). After I figured that out it took me all of 15min to thread it.  Now I’m a happy serger and my husband and can stop asking me why haven’t used it yet… LOL!!!

A threaded Serger is a happy Serger

My 1st Wrap Dress

Me and the Husband

In May 2010 I had a family wedding to attend and I couldn’t find a dress that I liked. Went to Lane Bryant and Ashley Stewart and just couldn’t find one thing that I would not have seen someone else in at some point. So I decided not to purchase a dress but to make one. So after keeping the sewing machine stashed away for about 4 years or more I decided to pull her out. I made my 1st wrap dress. Now here is the kicker…. this is actually the 2nd dress… the one I could fit over my breast area. Now most of you may not know this and I didn’t until I started taking tailoring classes. The pattern industry creates patterns that are 4 sizes too small. Keep in mind this also depends on the pattern company, but more on that in another post. I hope that you find the blog, pics and information that I learn helpful.

Happy New Year to a New ME

For months I have been thinking about what I want from 2011 and why it has taken me so long to reach this point. Well 2011 is here and I have been making changes in my life to better me. I’m finding that most parents don’t give good advice on how life really is. Sure they love you and take care of you, but when it comes down to your child being creative and having dreams and ideas, most parents don’t get it.  They tell you to get a good job that will leave you with a pension and retirement; but what about telling your child to follow their dream and do what makes them happy.  I have to say that a good percentage of parents think that anything other than doing what is normal is crazy.  I tried to follow the plan that my family expected of me. I went to college and majored in things that I didn’t care for, took jobs that had great benefits but left me dead inside each day I left work.  I have finally admitted to myself that some people are supposed to work for other people and there are people who should be working for themselves. I happen to be one of those people who should be working for me.  Fearfully I started working toward my goal in September of 2010… So now I’m no longer fearful of following my dreams and doing what it takes to get me from point A to Z.  2011 is a new start for me, HOLD ON WORLD HERE I COME!!!!!!!!!!!

Bartering for Christmas Gifts

So Christmas is over and I’m over hearing people talk about how much money was spent on Christmas gifts. People who normally buy lunch at work are now starting to brown bag it because they have no extra money. So I started thinking about what I did for Christmas. I did something that most people in the US don’t know how to do. I bartered for Christmas gifts. What is bartering you ask. Bartering is a system of trade that most African, Middle Eastern and a few other countries use.
It works like this; you have something that I want and I have a skill, trade, or item that you want and we exchange it. No money ever crosses hands. I wanted something nice for my sister-in-law so I found someone who could make quilts. I traded a lap quilt for a few pounds of Pure African Shea Butter. My other Christmas gifts I hand-made. I spent a total of $40 on Christmas gift cards because I couldn’t figure out how to make my own. LOL!!!
Just something I thought I would share.

Christmas Gift for my sister in-law