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What looks like a princess seam is actually the stitching line for the facing. I really hate the floppy standing collar and it would just make my short neck look shorter. Why is it that most of her patterns are so buttoned up? I get claustrophobic just looking at this one, never mind wearing it. But in some respects it's an interesting pattern. with an interesting shape. The question is, can it be saved or should I just give it away to a reader who is better suited to this style? How would you change this pattern to work for a curvy woman?
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Hmm, well you could make it in a very floaty sheer type of fabric that stayed close to the body. You could also leave off the collar and make it V neck. Or make it V neck and extend the collar. But is it worth it?
ReplyDeleteThe collar is easy enough to delete. You could almost change the neckline to any shape you want.
ReplyDeleteThe topstitching that you thought were princess seams look to be almost where they should be for an actual princess seam. Use the facing piece to divide the front piece so there is a princess seam. That would give you the ability to do an fba and get some shaping.
I love some of her patterns but unfortunately most don't have any darts for shaping and end up being very boxy.
Yes, I've had the same problem with the patterns included with Craftsy. This is one I decided I am not going to make work for my short, plus size, no neck body. Another was the peplum top in the otherwise excellent Plus Size Sewing course (or some similar name). I was actually a bit disappointed in the sewing with silks class because I'd hoped she'd cover difficult silks like charmeuse and chiffon, but it was more a useful sewing techniques class using a very stable silk. (Probably a good idea for a first foray into silk, of course, but not what I was after).
ReplyDeleteI'd say don't waste time saving a pattern you don't instinctively like, when you could be sewing something you love.
I was hoping that she would cover hard to sew silks too. I don't need help with stable silks. I may be getting my money back on this one.
DeleteTo be honest, I think that pattern is not attractive on any figure. I don't know that you can save that pattern.
ReplyDeleteI'm drawn to this pattern for some reason, but the line drawing looks shorter and boxier than the illustration, although neither one looks like it would suit your preferences. When a larger busted woman wears a blouse that is constructed level all the way around the bottom, the front can still be lifted significantly when worn, emphasizing that the bust has not been compensated for with any custom fitting. When the back is just a little longer than the front by design, a large-busted woman is going to look even more so IMO. With your skills, you could make any or all the adjustments mentioned by Vicki and Debbie, but why bother - unless you also adjust the bottom lengths to end up even in the front and back when worn, or add even more length to the back to prove it's what you were going for in the first place. Keep us posted, and I'm especially curious how you like that particular class.
ReplyDeleteYears ago I bought one of the vest patterns and after making a muslin decided it was not for me. I did recently buy the Olive pattern, a knit top because I had seen it sewn up and it's more fitted than anything else. It also looked good on all of the women in their gallery unlike most of the other garments. ;
DeleteIt looks like the lack of shaping could be a problem ~ the actual shirt uses a fair amount of fabric, which all has to be floating around the design somewhere!?! Not the most flattering look for any of us ... J
ReplyDeleteI bought this class only last week and already thought that the pattern (that has not arrived yet) would not be for me. I'll have to have a look at the class fast, because of the remarks given that it's not going into the details of sewing with difficult silks. I don't need a class on how to sew a shirt. If might ask for a refund if it's not covering the subjects of sewing silks properly.
ReplyDeleteI've also got this pattern from the course (which I haven't done yet) - and even though I have a small bust, I don't think this is going to be a great pattern for me either... The lack of darts isn't going to be a big problem for me but I'm worried about all that extra fabric floating about at waist or hip level!
ReplyDeleteI've made this pattern up three times -- love the way it looks. But, I never button it up. I wear it with only a few of the bottom buttons buttoned and the rest open with a cami underneath. It's flattering because it is close fitting through the shoulders and then flares out. I think it makes up much better than the drawings would indicate which I find if often the case with SW patterns.
ReplyDeleteHey Nancy, in my blog I tried this pattern on my duct tape dummy...what a joke...you got boobs, you got problems with this shapeless blouse. See what I did to make it hang right: http://fitforaqueen.wordpress.com/2012/01/11/liberty-and-the-dummy/ In the end I made it up in cotton and it is the worst fitting unflattering top I have EVER come across in 40 years of sewing for myself and clients. Some folks have made it is very soft drapey fabrics and that helps and they use it as a shapeless tunic. They could have added more shape and darts or princess seams. I also bought the pattern thinking those lines in the drawing were actually seams...what a disappointment!
ReplyDeleteI signed up for this class ages ago but haven't yet opened it up. How disappointing to hear that it doesn't cover difficult silks. What is the point of a class on sewing silk that uses only easy silks and not the shape shifting slippery kinds. I also have wondered what to do with the pattern as I think any pattern without waist shaping is unflattering on me.
ReplyDeleteWell, Nancy, I think your original instincts are correct - pass the pattern on. Large busted figures have to be careful with that type of pattern as you've surmised. I say you should spend your time sewing a more suitable pattern.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are blogging again!
Karen
I've decided that there are a few pattern lines that just don't work for me, and this is one of them. Although I like the clothes when I look at the results on the Sewing Workshop website, I have never loved the results on me. I just like more tailored, closer fitting clothes.
ReplyDeleteThat design looks really hard to wear. Even the woman in the illustration looks confused as to why she's wearing it!
ReplyDelete