So that's, um, how you do it

I've said it before - I rarely sew for myself.  But I'd like to, I really would.  I see the things Melissa and Julie make and adore them.  I have the patterns, I have plenty of fabric, but I also have fear.  I am not scared of the actual sewing part.  It's the fitting part that stops me cold.

So I am setting out to conquer the unknown.  I actually signed up for a sewing class and we are making a lined jacket.  Yes, you got it right, a lined jacket (I am doing version B with version A pockets).  My first class was on Monday night.  I showed up with my pattern and three yards of muslin.  After being properly measured, I started cutting the muslin using the pattern unaltered.  When it was all sewn up, it was obvious that I needed to add some length (about 3 inches!) and make a bust adjustment.  I get the length thing, but how in the hell you do make a bust adjustment?  I just sat back and watched as my instructor got out her ruler and marker and started drawing lines and then cutting.  Here is what we ended up with...

I completely understood what she did, or at least that is what I thought.  When I took the pattern out today to lengthen it at the waist and adjust the other pattern pieces accordingly, this one was all messed up.  I spent a good half hour trying to put it back together, but, like Humpty Dumpty, I am missing some pieces.

Anyone have any advice?  Books I should look at?  Helpful little websites I should peruse?  Maybe I should just wait until Monday and start over again....

Comments

[melissa f.]

you can do it erin! i put a couple of links on one of the shirt posts-- i think debbie cook's site will be helpful to you. google her :)

[beki]

I've got links and books - give me some time to gather it for you (baby on lap).

[Eren]

Im bowing in awe! You go you! Cant wait to see the results.

[heidi]

oh erin! you are so adventurous! i can make kids clothes and such, but i am so bad at sewing for myself! i know you can do it!

[julie]

erm. gulp. Can't say as I know too much about bust alterations because I am built like a little boy. a wee little boy.

But I always go straight to my mama's Vogue sewing book when I have questions. (the version I use is from the 70's but I think they just came out with a shiny new edition)

If you find good links though please do post them--I know I have much much to learn.

good luck! like Melissa said--you can do it!!

[molly]

oh my! i'm no help--but I'm so excited for you...keep going! you can do it!

[sulu-design]

I'm super impressed, Erin. It's so great of you to challenge yourself with... a lined coat (whoa)! Sorry I can't help at all with tips, but I look forward to seeing what you learn and produce. Good luck!

[Erin]

Good for you! One option--I once had a question about altering a Simplicity pattern and emailed their customer support before cutting into my fabric. The response I got was a very long, detailed email as to how to go about changing the measurements, etc., and I remember that the woman even said I could contact her again with more questions if I needed to. Good luck.

[Sarah]

So I'm sure you've figured it out by now, but I took a sewing class where we learned pattern alterations as well. We also did a jacket, unlined, but in plaid. I'm a busty girl, so I got very familiar with bust alterations. The text book we had for the class was Readers Digest New Complete Guide to Sewing. It's a huge resource for all kinds of sewing questions. Sandra Betzina's book Fast Fit has lots of helpful alterations for all kinds of body quirks as well.