Simplicity 3750
So I mentioned yesterday that there was some sewing I wanted to show you. Well here it is. Simplicity 3750 in muslin. When I make clothes for Isabelle I use fabric I like. I don’t really bother using muslin. If it’s not perfect that’s ok because she’s not wearing it forever, she’s growing. And plus only I see if there are little imperfections. No one else would notice them.
But when I make myself something I really appreciate how important it is to work in muslin. Making clothes for myself takes so much more fabric and I will not outgrow it (hopefully…need to stay away from the sweets). I have curves that Isabelle doesn’t so it needs to fit properly. So if I don’t used muslin I might end up with something disappointing and wasted fabric and it’s just so much better to work out the kinks beforehand.
And this top needs some work. I don’t know if you can tell from the next picture but see where the yoke connects to the upper front (the strap to the fabric over my chest)? The right yoke is coming away. I screwed up. I do not know what happened. The directions for the bias tape around there was confusing. I didn’t quite know what to do. I winged it. So of course it came out weird.
How come I don’t read Japanese and I am able to figure out their directions. I read English perfectly well but can’t figure out what in the world they want me to do. And I know I’m not the only one. Maybe that means pattern makers need to have better directions. Or better pictures or something! Sheesh!
So what else? The armholes are so big and floppy looking. Maybe it has to do with the bias tape directions. I don’t know. Just so bummed when something doesn’t come out as expected.
And on a completely different subject. How do people take self portraits? I just hurriedly prop the camera somewhere and take pictures. I wish I could use our tripod. But Isabelle loves playing with the tripod. So if it’s just me and no Alan to distract her I don’t dare take it out. Guess that’s how I end up with pictures like this.
And this.
July 31st, 2007 at 7:18 pm
If you work the kinks out, it is a good top on you.
And, I don’t take self portraits much. Plus, Phill stole my tripod for work. Dufus.
July 31st, 2007 at 7:31 pm
The pattern I’m making for Aidan called for bias tape, I tried it and it looked wonky so I took it out and wound up just lining the top.
Kuky says: Hmmmm… I’ve being thinking of trying that. I’ll have to give it some thought.
July 31st, 2007 at 9:52 pm
Cute! I salute you for doing all the work in muslin. Actually, I salute you for making grown-up clothes at all. I wish I had the skills.
The only self-portraits I take are the kind where you hold the camera out with your arm as far as you can (like MySpace style). Ha ha.
August 1st, 2007 at 5:50 am
oh i so love the one ponytail thing issy has going on there. and i am really glad that it sounds like you are doing better. i have been there and know that lost/guilty feeling. do they have any mother’s day out programs where you live. that was my saving grace. it gave me a day (5 hours really) a week to do whatever i wanted.
August 1st, 2007 at 6:53 am
Have you tried Kwik Sew or Burda patterns? I hear they are a head above the Big 3 when it comes to final product.
August 1st, 2007 at 7:19 am
I hear you with the muslin tops - at least with the muslin you don’t feel as bad if you abandon the pattern. I’ve got a Simplicity 3887 sitting here waiting for a few spare hours.
I don’t know how big your camera is, but I have a flexible tripod that is about 5″ long that screws into the bottom of a point & shoot. You twist the legs out to support the camera and the nice thing is you can make it fit on rocks or logs at the beach. You can buy them for a few dollars at the camera store. Not to say that Isabelle wouldn’t want to play with it too, but you could always buy her one of her own - they’re only a few bucks. I can send you a picture of mine if you want…
August 1st, 2007 at 8:10 am
I think it’s a great top for you!
I don’t have any tips about the bias tape / front join.
For the arm hole gapping, I would suggest detaching the strap from the bodice (you’ll have to cut through the arm binding, I think). Then smooth the strap down and pin it to the bodice so that the gapping is taken up. You’ll then want to change the pattern pieces to reflect the changed shape of the strap (or strap and bodice.)
Good luck!
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:11 am
Oooh! I just love that top! I see another pattern I need to add to my growing collection.
I was just telling a friend yesterday that I never felt the need to use a muslin before because most of the stuff I made was pretty unstructured or a tote bag or something. Now I’m still trying to work the kinks out on that Butterick dress and the muslin trick has been invaluable. It can be frustrating, but a lot less frustrating than wasting good fabric.
August 2nd, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Great top! I love the way it looks on you.
August 4th, 2007 at 3:14 am
I like that top….just in time for our turn of the season down here. Looks like it just needs some minor tweaking as the body of the top fits really well!
August 13th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
I like that top, and I think it will fit you fine with a couple of simple adjustments. You, like me, have more boob than whomever the pattern was designed for, which means that you will always have to make some adjustments to make a shirt look hot, rather than just okay.
Make the front shoulder pieces a little longer, and cut the bottom at an angle instead of straight…so that it is longer on the boob side and shorter at the underarm. Does that make sense? As it is now, it is tugging at the neckline and gapping at the underarm. I would also angle the top edges of the bust piece to match. You might also cut the bottom edge of the gathered bust piece so that it has a gentle curve, instead of straight across. This will give you more room in the chest, and help keep the waistband from riding up.
I hope that helps! I’ve been altering patterns to fit my curves for a long time now. Once you get the hang of it, it gets easier.