So onto Hobby Lobby, which does have a variety of nice fabric and someone waiting to cut it, which makes such a difference not having to find that person. I was happy to see that they have some woven striped linen/cotton, as well as multiple colors of woven gingham, being chiefly a gingham girl myself. Nice quality and a great price. Then I saw their McCall's patterns were 99 cents so I sat and scoured the look book. I wanted a shirt dress pattern and found this one with raglan sleeves which will make for a nice change in the construction.
I already have the fabric which is a tablecloth from Walmart, in the Pioneer Woman series. Yes. A tablecloth. A quality heavy woven 100% cotton 60x102" item for like $18. Speaking of Walmart, I particularly like their Waverly Cottons, many of which are pre-cut into fat quarters, yards and 2 and 3 yard packs. I didn't intend to cut into my tablecloth on a brand new untried pattern, so I prewashed a two yard piece of aqua Waverly cotton to use as a tryout. $5.64. 
Shown here is about half the sleeve pattern which I have cut using my pattern weights rather than pins. I have adjusted the tapered sleeve to flare a bit because I know I will be adding fabric for a rolled up cuff, later. 
I already have the fabric which is a tablecloth from Walmart, in the Pioneer Woman series. Yes. A tablecloth. A quality heavy woven 100% cotton 60x102" item for like $18. Speaking of Walmart, I particularly like their Waverly Cottons, many of which are pre-cut into fat quarters, yards and 2 and 3 yard packs. I didn't intend to cut into my tablecloth on a brand new untried pattern, so I prewashed a two yard piece of aqua Waverly cotton to use as a tryout. $5.64. Then after jiggering my new studio to sew, I started getting the pattern ready to trace.
I never use the pattern without tracing, as I want to make marks, cut off the seam allowance and find the right size lines before cutting. I use Pellon's Easy Pattern paper which I buy by the bolt, again, from Walmart.
I know the construction of this garment will mostly be sewn on my serger, so I trace my size from each pattern piece and then mark the new seam allowance which is 3/8" less than the 5/8" on the pattern. I have marked my ruler with this orange line to use as a measuring guide. 
What a lotta work, you say. I agree, but as a process person, it's all part of what I do to make sewing a smooth and enjoyable effort.
Here's my aqua cotton, and the pattern piece for the sleeve. I never make the full length sleeve on any garment as I famously have tyrannosaurus arms. Plus, two yards just isn't enough to fit the full pattern, so I often add a cuff from a waste area of the fabric. 
Shown here is about half the sleeve pattern which I have cut using my pattern weights rather than pins. I have adjusted the tapered sleeve to flare a bit because I know I will be adding fabric for a rolled up cuff, later. ...and then it was time for Dave's caregiver to leave, so I have to wait to sew this into a shirt and see how it fits and if my gingham tablecloth is shirt worthy.
Can't wait to see how it turns out. Very pretty color.
ReplyDeleteI can't do raglan anything.
ReplyDeleteI have two bolts of that pattern pelon and am commencing to make some patterns with adjustments as soon as the house and yard get settled and I have some ME time. Those patterns are cheap because the big four pattern makers were bought out by one of those investment equity companies that sell off and gut for profit. They are likely the last paper patterns you will see. Go back and buy as many as you think you might use in the future as you are not likely to see their like again.
I just found a company called Cashemerette that has plus size patterns both paper and PDF and they even give you the size to buy and the adjustments to make for your measurements. I've bought three and they'll arrive on Friday. Anxious to make the adjustments and sew my first piece of clothing in a decade. I have an attic full, well a box in the attic, of vintage patterns dating back to the 60s plus a lot of period historical patterns that the companies were putting out for movies and TV shows like Titanic and Downton Abby and many Halloween costumes. Most of them are uncut. Holding on to them until I see what the market might hold. If they are high demand and priced accordingly I might start selling them as it is unlikely I will be sewing Halloween or period costumes any time soon.
I mostly buy quilt cottons as I do not like polyester and blends and too often sheets and tablecloths are a blend. I avoid bolts of fabric whose fabric content is a mystery.
$7 a yard for batiks is awesome unless it isn't really batik or isn't 100% cotton and a good quality cotton.
I have pattern weights but have never used them. I probably should start to do so.
I'm looking forward to seeing the finished gingham project.