Friday, June 26, 2009

Life Without Direction

Not having a job to go to every day has left me somewhat unfocused. I'm spending way too much time in front of my computer, not accomplishing anything. However, I have finished watching every season of Numb3rs on Netflix and all of the Stargate Episodes that Hulu has to offer.

I think my body is beginning to morph into something I don't recognize. Last week I went to the Dr. because my body forgot it was in menopause after 16 months and I've been experiencing severe pelvic pain. She sent me in for blood work and an ultrasound and a routine mamogram. I won't find out until Wednesday about the results of my tests. I truly hope they find something and can take care of it easily because I hate the way I've been feeling.

I've been trying to do something with sewing everyday. Last week I made a pair of pants, but I'm not completely thrilled with them. The pattern is KS 2720 and while they fit nicely through the hips and butt, the legs are just too wide for my short and wide body. I still haven't finished the waistband or hemming. I also did a muslin for Butterick 53oo again.


Here's my first muslin using the 1X in Women's sizes and the D-cup. It's way too big all over.

For my second muslin I used the Misses sizes cutting the XL and adding 5/8" to the side seams. Now it's too tight and needs lots of ease, but I think the misses fits much, much better. I've added several inches of ease to the top, leaving the neck and shoulders alone, but haven't made a muslin from my altered pattern yet. I'll do that later today.


My intention for the Butterick pattern is that once I get it to fit, I'll redraft it to look similiar to this Burda WOF pattern. With the help of the Plus-Size Sew-Along on Patternreview, I've decided to lose the bows and the drawstring. Then I'll take the neckline binding all the way down center front and use colorful snaps. I really like the pockets, I just hope they work on my apple shape. Even if they don't, I may want to keep them, they're so cute.


Here's the fabric I'll use for the blouse and some capris to go with it. The capris will be my TNT capris pattern, Simplicity 5013, which is a Jr. Size pattern and now OOP.


I also had some bad luck with Butterick 5356. It fits, but looks so awful that I just threw the pattern and the muslin in the garbage. There are much better looking blouses for my round shape out there. However, I'm not sure this blouse would look good on any figure type. If you were considering it, do yourself a favor, and don't!

13 comments:

  1. Bravo for doing the muslins to attempt a good fit. I really am bad at that.

    Hope you feel better!

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  2. Well you say you're not getting anything done but it looks like you've done a ton. Three muslins and a pair pants. Cut yourself some slack. I was thinking about the Butterick 5356 but won't bother. I'm a bigger apple than you. I guess I'm a giant apple ha ha.

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  3. 'Hope you're feeling better, Sherril...
    S-M-A-C-K!!
    Rhonda in Montreal (PR)

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  4. Get well soon. I don't like that top either, B5356. It makes for a box shape on a big chic.

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  5. Is the Connie Crawford pattern the one you're using for the Great White Shirt sew-along? The second muslin is definitely better fitting in the neck and shoulders than the previous one. Keep at it. You are on the right track.

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  6. You have been very busy, don't tell yourself otherwise. Its also Ok to decompress after working all year. You earned it. You will get renewed and refreshed before you know it.

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  7. Burda WOF pattern is cute as can be. I think your idea of using snaps is a good one. Much better looking than the ties. Take care of yourself and let us know how you're doing.

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  8. I had the same experience with that last Butterick pattern - looked like a (unflattering!) sack on me.

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  9. Hope you feel better soon. If you need some guidance about the best styles for particular body shapes you can't go past Trinny and Susannah What not to wear and other books in their series. Their Brits.

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  10. First can I say I understand and sympathize with the menopause issues...ummm somebody should have told us about this right!?! :)

    Second, I'm glad you kicked B5356 to the curb...and I'm always amazed at the fact that you start with a muslin. I just HAVE NOT learned that discipline!

    Can't wait to see the top and capris finished. I'm sure they will be fabu.

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  11. Ok if that's the results of unfocused then I'm impressed. I know how you feel though. I've been on holiday for a week and a half and done no sewing! I think my mojo went on holiday too.
    Hope all the health stuff gets sorted out and you start feeling better soon.

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  12. It's hard to believe those two Butterick 5300 muslins are from the same pattern! What a difference fit makes. I agree that it is more flattering cut closer to the body. And definitely keep the pockets! They are too cute to leave off.

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  13. I'm trying to make 5356. In the instructions, there is a symbol not shown in the fabric or pattern layout direction sheet. It looks like swirls and the symbol #. What's that all about?

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