Saturday, November 27, 2010

Muslin fail: this just isn't for me.

I consider myself pretty cavalier when it comes to sewing.  Until recently, I rarely sewed a muslin and so would end up tossing something or just wearing something slightly ill-fitting or even worse -- completely ill fitting.  You know, there's a certain pride in having sewn something... or maybe it's inability to recognize a sunk cost.  Anyways, I decided I wanted to sew some interesting Fall/Winter shirts. 

In September, I think, Fabric.com had a $9.95 sale on Hot Patterns.  I'd had my eye on the Wong-Sing-Jones Mandarin wrap top so decided to give it a try.  I even bought some black rayon for the shirt. 

I love the envelope illustration.  Drapy, interesting.  Possibly flattering.
Well, I am so glad that I took the time to make a muslin.  This being the first time I've sewn at Hot Patterns pattern, I wasn't sure what size I would be or how it would fit.  It turns out it fits.  This is a size 6.  I just couldn't make it look like the envelope illustration, though I did use drapy lightweight fabrics and when my hands are on my hips like the models' it is somewhat fitted in the waist.  When I don't have my hands on my hips... Hello, fabric sack!
The overlay just doesn't drape as much as in the illustration. 

I like it much more from the back but unfortunately, I spend most of my time facing forwards.

6 comments:

  1. So sorry that happened. Would a smaller size work better?

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  2. Is a size 6 the smallest size. If not, then I believe you can remove the fullness in the back by pinning the fullness out verticaly. See how it fits. The front is not so bad, the sleeves need tweking. Try removing fullnes from the back first and cut another muslin. Also you need a drapier fabric to use it a s muslin.

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  3. Thanks for your comments. Yes... this is the smallest size. The arms don't bother me so much as the fact that the front drape is a lot smaller and higher cut than the illustration suggests. It fits me in the hips, so I'm pretty sure it doesn't need to be smaller. I'm also not sure I can get much more drapy than the poly satin I've used for the muslin, but these are issues to revisit if I decide to try this again.

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  4. I agree with Alethia's comments. Also this pattern is designed for a very drapey fabric. I suspect that is why the back looks better than the front.

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  5. It's never any fun with you're ready and excited about a pattern and it doesn't work out!

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  6. Shame, but I think to get that look you need something really, really drapey and I don't think you will get that with poly. Maybe a silk chiffon or rayon jersey??

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