Friday 8 July 2011

V8648 - muslin

Ok, but first I have to show you this adorable broach that Dom's little sister Imogen picked out for my birthday:
Perfect for someone who sews! :) I enjoyed Monday afternoon a lot, it was lovely to see everyone again. Mum cooked my favourite meal (curry fry, I remember my uncle teaching us to make it) and did party food! 
Anyway, back to what you're here for:
I think princess seams are the way forward! I've never managed a successful darted bodice, but I'm really pleased with the fit of this princess seamed one. All my hard work paid off! Looking at the back of the bodice, I think the narrow back adjustment was successful. So I have a narrow back! Who knew? As I've already said, I'm happy with the FBA too. The waist pieces are the right length too, though they look like they're too short. I think with the weight of the skirt, they'll be the right length though. But. . .the sleeves. I'm ditching the sleeves. The armhole is currently too big, so the sleeve pulls terribly. I unpicked the part that was pulling for these photos. I can sort the armhole, but I don't know what to do to the corresponding sleeve piece. So I'm being a coward and ditching the sleeves. It is meant to be a summer dress after all (she says, as it's pouring rain outside)! And sleeveless dresses are great for layering. Or I was thinking of using a capped sleeve piece form one of my other patterns, as I think that would be cute. What do you guys think?
So I have a couple more adjustments to make. I want to add 1.5cm to the front part of the armhole, so that when the lining is in the armhole will be where it is in the photos. Also, you can see in the photos that there was a little gaping in the neck. I think this is a result of the FBA as it happened on the birdie blouse too. So I pinned it out on the muslin (roughly!) and I need to pinch about 2cm out. As these are only minor adjustments, I'm going to make the changes to the paper pattern, then go ahead and cut out my fabric! :) I'm excited, my first dress that might actually fit!!
On a completely unrelated note, I also got some birthday money! :) I picked up 'Little Red in the City' by Ysolda Teague from Spins and Needles. This book is exactly what I've been looking for. She goes into the detail on bust shaping in knitting patterns and how to alter for a bigger bust and other fitting problems. I love how its explained, it's finally starting to make sense to me. Not only does she give advice on fitting a knitting pattern, but she also explains a few techniques that are used in the patterns that are in the book. Yep, not only do you get wonderful advice and instruction, but you also get 7 patterns! She also shows each pattern on two different body types which is helpful to see. All in all, I think I'm going to get a lot of use out of this book :) 
As well as the book, I also couldn't resist a look at the yarn. There's a scarflet pattern on Ravelry that I've had my eye on, so I picked up some yarn for that:
After reading the notes on other peoples projects on Ravelry, it looks like I'm going to need another ball! Ah well, next time I'll check first :) I also picked up some yarn to make Dom a pair of socks:
I'm so glad that I went to the sock knitting class, as I love this pattern! The yarn is DK weight on 4mm needles, so it knits up super quick for a sock. Dom thinks it's sweet that I'm knitting him some socks, and now complains that he has cold toes and that I should hurry up!
I also finished another pair for myself. I bought two balls of this yarn to make a shawl with, and ended up with a ball left over. Plenty for a pair of socks!
I didn't bother trying to get the colours in similar places on each sock, as I was only trying to use up the yarn. They turned out really well :)
More later!
Ashley x

12 comments:

  1. OMG, you have been super busy!!

    The fit on the toile looks good - I wish you lived near me so you could come round, eat cake and help me get my head around fitting!!

    BTW Did I forget to wish you happy birthday? If so a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

    S x

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  2. I've been busy doing knitting/sewing because I've gotten massive blisters on my heels from some new shoes. So I've avoided going out unless absolutely I have to/want to! They're healing up now though :D
    Haha, I'd love to! You could teach me to crochet in between toile fittings! :)
    You did remember, thank you :)
    Ashley x

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  3. Hey Ashley. The bodice is a great fit. I've never been that keen on princess seams but this looks great on you. I'm thinking we have a similar shape too so maybe I should give princess seams a go... The real dress will look great. I vote keep it sleeveless personally. XX

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  4. Thanks :) I definitely found that they're easier to do a successful FBA on. Its gives me a much smoother result :) I have way too much trouble trying to get darts in the right place!
    Thanks for the vote :)
    Ashley x

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  5. Firstly - belated happy birthday!

    Secondly - I love that muslin, and I am getting serious 'why didn't I buy that pattern' envy. Out of interest, what do you make your muslins out of? They always look so neat!

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  6. Thank you :) Haha, well Sew Direct is having a three day sale for members, so you could get it cheap!
    I use muslin from Fabricland. Its about £1.99 a metre, and I think it's on their cheap cottons page. If you can't find it, give them a ring :) I bought 10 metres, which made the £8.50 postage more worth it. I've actually just run out, I need some more! Though word of warning, it's very loose weave so frays easily. So be quick when trying on. It doesn't hold up well to unpicking, its easier to just cut another muslin. Also I use about a 3mm stitch length which works well, and iron each seam as soon as its sewn to set the stitches or it warps terribly. Hope that helps :)
    Ashley x

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  7. OH, thank you for alerting me to that! I've been wondering when that 3 for 1 sale was coming round again and would have been gutted to have missed it. (I haven't been on TSF for what feels like aaaaages, I've had neither internet nor time!)

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  8. You're welcome :) I got the email yesterday morning so you've plenty of time :)
    Ashley x

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  9. Gosh how do you get so much done!
    I can't wait to see the finished dress! Love all the socks too. I can't seem to get the hang of socks but this makes me want to give it another try. Thank you for your kind comments on my blog :-)

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  10. Haha, well currently I'm a student who's finished for the summer. So I've been free to do as I please since June. I don't start my third year until October, so I should really start looking for a summer job, but I'm enjoying my free time too much!
    I found youtube great for mastering socks. There are so many helpful videos, as I find it hard to visualise written instructions sometimes.
    You're welcome :)
    Ashley x

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  11. Hey Ashley! Very jealous of that gorgeous Debbie Bliss wool. I've been knitting lately too. Your sewing skills have developed so much this year. Have to admit I've really been slacking - going to pop in here every day, as you're great inspiration.

    Lisa xoxo

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  12. Wow, thank you! :) The wool feels amazing, so so soft. Though I've had a look on Ravelry at other peoples projects and it looks like I need to pick up another ball. Any excuse for a visit to the local yarn shop! :)
    Thanks again, your comment has made my day :)
    Ashley x

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Thanks for the comment!

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