Sure-Fit Designs
Alright. First off, I have to say that it cost considerably more than $41.00. In order to use the kit properly, you also have to buy tracing paper and the "design stylus". And the DVD is separate, not part of the kit as I thought. So, really, the cost was $99.50. But I paid it, although reluctantly.
Now that I have it though, I believe it is going to be one of the best purchases I ever made. I have about half of my sloper drafted out. I still need to do the skirt back and the sleeve. It has been an interesting couple of days working with this.
First of all, I had my 19-year-old, non-sewing, daughter help me take the measurements. She'd never done it before and all of her measurements turned out wrong. I think she didn't realize that there's an extra bit at the beginning of the tape that you need to disregard. I got to drawing out the pattern and everything was looking soooo big! So I started remeasuring myself and found that everything was about an inch too big. So I had to redraft the bodice front. Twice.
I also had trouble with the shoulder to bust apex measurement. Every time I took it I got a different number. I finally managed to get 11 inches 3 times, so I went with that. I had to extend the waist length considerably. I always thought that I was short-waisted, but I had to add a good 4 inches at the waist! You should see the fitting dart--it looks like its almost 2 feet long! (I'm sure that's an exageration, but you get the drift.)
So today's plan is to finish drafting out the master pattern and get the cutting out done. I may have time to start sewing the muslin, but I'm not sure. We'll have to see how the day goes.
But I can see where this is going to be a valuable investment for me, if I can get a good sloper drawn. The instructions that come with the set show you how to draft patterns for any kind of variation you might want. Since I've been sewing for so long (a good 40 years now!), I can see how they work and I'm getting really excited about this. Patterns that actually fit when I'm done. What a concept! I've been surfing the net for clothing designs that I like and would like to try. I'm saving them all on my iPad so I have them handy when I'm ready to start sewing.
All in all, a good experience so far. I'll post results after I get the muslin done.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Wow, I've been neglecting this blog. I need to get a habit going...
So, update on the sugar free jams. It came out pretty good, actually. The first taste is a bit of a shock because its not nearly as sweet as you would expect. But, after that it was fine, good with peanut butter and toast. The color is not as pretty as I would like. It seemed to go to a dull reddish brown really quickly. This bothers me. I haven't tried making any of my other sugar free jams yet because of it. Does this mean its going to spoil faster? I just don't know. Maybe freezer jam would work better?
Now, on to the real reason for posting today. I'm starting a new journey and I would like to record the results here. I spent two Saturdays recently going through my boxes of sewing and craft supplies. Boy, what a mess! I ended up tossing an entire box of old patterns and a few pieces of fabric that was never going to see a sewing machine anyway. But when I was done I had all of my good patterns and fabric sorted and identified.
I have an app for my iPad that is sewing related. It is called Sewing KitHD. It is first of all a place to inventory all of your supplies. It records where they are stored, how much you have, etc. and there's a place to store pictures as well. Its very thorough. But the part I like best is that there's a place to plan and store projects and potential projects (they call it inspirations). As I went through all of this stuff, I entered it into the app and identified several projects that I could start on.
The only problem with this is: I gave up sewing for myself a long time ago because I can never get anything to fit and look right on me. I'm old and fat and lumpy and everything seems to come out looking like a Goodwill Store reject. This really bugs me because the things I make for other people don't look like that. I think that I need to learn more about fitting and altering patterns.
I've scoured the city looking for a class but to no avail. So, I started looking on the internet. I found a few possibilities right away (don't you love the internet?). The first thing I found was a forum called Artisan's Square. I started reading some of their threads. These women are amazing! I could learn so much from them. But the neatest thing I found there was a challenge. They call it SWAP (Sewing with a Plan?—not sure, but that made the most sense to me.) The challenge is already completed of course, but it was such a great one that I’ve decided I’m going to take it on. It should not only improve my sewing skills immensely, but I should end up with a great basic wardrobe for work.
So here’s the challenge: (link to site here)
Out of the following list, choose 7 items and then pick four of those to make twice:
(I underlined my seven choices, and then starred the ones I will do twice)
×Button-down shirt with collar
×Blouse or shirt (collar optional)
T-Shirt
×Vest
Overshirt
×Dress
Jeans
Trousers
Shorts or Capris
Skirt
Jacket (meaning windbreaker, hoodie, car coat, etc)
Coat (suit or sport coat)
Overcoat or Raincoat
Bathing Suit and coverup
You end up with a total of 11 garments that should work well together and mix and match. This was a hard choice. I will probably eventually end up making all or most of the items. But for now, this is the list.
So now, I need to start making plans. I think I’ve identified most of the patterns I plan to use. I will post them here as I get pictures saved, etc. As for fabric, I want to use mostly what’s already in my stash. Most of the fabrics there are pink. Don’t ask me how—I like pink but its not a color I usually choose, especially for myself. But there it is. I have a lot of good quality pink in my stash, so maybe its time to add it to my closet. I look good in pink, so that is not an issue.
The color scheme therefore, will be pink and black. I have a great floral chiffon in a monochromatic pink scheme that I will use for the palette. The style I like and look best in is classic. I also like adding just a touch of the feminine or the dramatic for giggles. I think dramatic works best for me, but I do like a feminine look. I have to be really careful with that, though, because lace and ruffles are not good on me.
Next issue: Find some way to learn
better pattern fitting.
Another search of the internet (I do love the internet!), yielded a
pattern fitting system called Sure-Fit Designs.
I’ve been watching some of their videos and have come to the conclusion
that this is going to be the best way for me.
Their materials seem well planned and well-explained. It comes with a video, patterns, tools and
only costs $41.00. I’m going to start
with their dress fitting pack, then when I’m ready to move on, we’ll go to
shirts and pants.
And lastly, the plan of attack:
In the original challenge, they had from December through April to complete the project. This journey is going to take me a lot longer. I’m thinking one year from now is a reasonable deadline. So, by August 11, 2013: New pink and black wardrobe done!
So, update on the sugar free jams. It came out pretty good, actually. The first taste is a bit of a shock because its not nearly as sweet as you would expect. But, after that it was fine, good with peanut butter and toast. The color is not as pretty as I would like. It seemed to go to a dull reddish brown really quickly. This bothers me. I haven't tried making any of my other sugar free jams yet because of it. Does this mean its going to spoil faster? I just don't know. Maybe freezer jam would work better?
Now, on to the real reason for posting today. I'm starting a new journey and I would like to record the results here. I spent two Saturdays recently going through my boxes of sewing and craft supplies. Boy, what a mess! I ended up tossing an entire box of old patterns and a few pieces of fabric that was never going to see a sewing machine anyway. But when I was done I had all of my good patterns and fabric sorted and identified.
I have an app for my iPad that is sewing related. It is called Sewing KitHD. It is first of all a place to inventory all of your supplies. It records where they are stored, how much you have, etc. and there's a place to store pictures as well. Its very thorough. But the part I like best is that there's a place to plan and store projects and potential projects (they call it inspirations). As I went through all of this stuff, I entered it into the app and identified several projects that I could start on.
The only problem with this is: I gave up sewing for myself a long time ago because I can never get anything to fit and look right on me. I'm old and fat and lumpy and everything seems to come out looking like a Goodwill Store reject. This really bugs me because the things I make for other people don't look like that. I think that I need to learn more about fitting and altering patterns.
I've scoured the city looking for a class but to no avail. So, I started looking on the internet. I found a few possibilities right away (don't you love the internet?). The first thing I found was a forum called Artisan's Square. I started reading some of their threads. These women are amazing! I could learn so much from them. But the neatest thing I found there was a challenge. They call it SWAP (Sewing with a Plan?—not sure, but that made the most sense to me.) The challenge is already completed of course, but it was such a great one that I’ve decided I’m going to take it on. It should not only improve my sewing skills immensely, but I should end up with a great basic wardrobe for work.
So here’s the challenge: (link to site here)
Out of the following list, choose 7 items and then pick four of those to make twice:
(I underlined my seven choices, and then starred the ones I will do twice)
×Button-down shirt with collar
×Blouse or shirt (collar optional)
T-Shirt
×Vest
Overshirt
×Dress
Jeans
Trousers
Shorts or Capris
Skirt
Jacket (meaning windbreaker, hoodie, car coat, etc)
Coat (suit or sport coat)
Overcoat or Raincoat
Bathing Suit and coverup
You end up with a total of 11 garments that should work well together and mix and match. This was a hard choice. I will probably eventually end up making all or most of the items. But for now, this is the list.
So now, I need to start making plans. I think I’ve identified most of the patterns I plan to use. I will post them here as I get pictures saved, etc. As for fabric, I want to use mostly what’s already in my stash. Most of the fabrics there are pink. Don’t ask me how—I like pink but its not a color I usually choose, especially for myself. But there it is. I have a lot of good quality pink in my stash, so maybe its time to add it to my closet. I look good in pink, so that is not an issue.
The color scheme therefore, will be pink and black. I have a great floral chiffon in a monochromatic pink scheme that I will use for the palette. The style I like and look best in is classic. I also like adding just a touch of the feminine or the dramatic for giggles. I think dramatic works best for me, but I do like a feminine look. I have to be really careful with that, though, because lace and ruffles are not good on me.
And lastly, the plan of attack:
1.
Identify
patterns and fabric
2.
Make a storyboard outlining patterns and fabric
3.
Get measurements
4.
Purchase fitting system pattern
5.
Purchase some muslin and tracing paper for fitting
purposes
6.
Draw slopers
7.
Purchase any additional fabric and notions needed
8.
Start Sewing:
a.
Blouses
b.
Dresses
c.
Shirts
d.
Vests
e.
Skirt
f.
Trousers
g.
coat
In the original challenge, they had from December through April to complete the project. This journey is going to take me a lot longer. I’m thinking one year from now is a reasonable deadline. So, by August 11, 2013: New pink and black wardrobe done!
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