I made no progress on any sewing last night. After writing 2 reviews, I fizzled. Tonight, I cut out and pressed the pattern tissue for this skirt and then cut out the waistband from the fabric to pin it and try it on. It fits. Well, probably. At least I know it's not too small, which is always a good thing when going right from unaltered pattern tissue to the fabric. But I have so much of this fabric that if the first make turns out to be a muslin, I can still make 4 more and a jacket. ;-)
After testing the waistband, I cut out the rest of the skirt. And that's where I'm quitting. It has been a very busy week at work, which I like, but I'm tired. I've also decided I probably want to line this skirt. That means I need to baste it together to be sure it fits and then cut out a lining if it's a go. And, even though I've now cut out the waistband pieces, I'm thinking of moving the side zipper to the back. All of that is just too much for my brain tonight.
This skirt is one from Simplicity's "Amazing Fit" line, with separate slim, average, and curvy pattern pieces. That's all well and good IF you know whether you are slim, average, or curvy. Nowhere does the pattern tell you how to choose between the three. As usual, it just tells you to pick your size from the measurement chart, and nothing about which fit you should pick.
Now, I'm pretty sure I'm curvy. But on the other hand, I usually have to straighten hip curves on patterns. So, does that make me curvy some places and average others? I just think it's kind of lame for Simplicity to ignore how to choose your fit within a size because plenty of women don't really evaluate their bodies fairly. Maybe I'm just extra grumpy because I'm tired. My unsolicited advice is to cut the curvy because it's biggest and then pin to fit and trim away what you don't need. But then that sort of defeats the Amazing part, no? And makes it just a regular skirt pattern.
Sometimes you just make me laugh...it is as if you think out loud. You have to be tired after these past few weeks Debbie...give yourself a little break. Although not too long, as I look for your blog every day!
ReplyDeleteI'm curvy (10 inch or more difference between waist and hips is the rule I've heard) and I still have to pin out those dratted hip curves. Sorry, no help on that one.
ReplyDeleteI would go with the difference between waist and hip as a guide, just by looking at their drawn examples. I have this pattern and am excited to see how it turns out so I'll know what to expect -if- when I get around to it!
ReplyDeleteI consider myself a curvy girl, too, and I also have to straighten out hip curves on skirts and dresses. Maybe my curves just aren't where the pattern companies think they should be. I agree that it's lame to offer three different fits in one pattern and then not offer any advice on how to choose one.
ReplyDeleteCurvy is the euphemism for "fat" usually, but in truth we aren't curvy at all unless you include those outward curves. I made up this skirt and I used the straight pattern style which was about right since there is only about 3 inches difference between my waist and my hips.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I ever realized that the instructions didn't give you guidance on how to choose straight, regular or curvey. I cut the front normal and the back as curvy and one size bigger. It works great for me and I've made many.
ReplyDeleteI hope it works for you. g
Curvy=big difference between hips and waist. http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/curvy-does-not-mean-plus-sized/
ReplyDeleteHard to tell whether you are because of the dearth of side pictures :-), you'll have to decide that one for yourself. But if you look at straight-on pictures, and consider you don't usually bitch about fitting your butt into things as people who are curvy do (Cidell..), and now you say that you usually straighten curves, I'd say that you're not. Good you have extra fabric though :-).
But is this denim? You're planning on lining denim?? I'd be grateful if you'd please explain your reasoning, because I really can't imagine the cause.
I'm sure it will look amazing when you have finished it! But if the pattern doesn't give a pattern for lining, how the heck do you line a skirt?
ReplyDeleteI always struggle with describing my figure, I have quite straight up and down hips when viewed from the front, but I have a shelf backside! I think I'm curvy in patterns, to allow room for my bottom LOL! Good luck with the skirt and I always leave a project and go back to it later if I'm feeling tired or annoyed with it, you'll only make mistakes which will annoy you more :-) x
ReplyDeleteI recently made another of these "Amazing Fit" patterns and the difference between the curvy and average was not at the hip curve at all, it was in the back. The curvy had more darts with more takeup than in the average. IOW all the extra room was for a bigger behind. HTH
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ReplyDelete{{{Crazy Bird said...
I'm sure it will look amazing when you have finished it! But if the pattern doesn't give a pattern for lining, how the heck do you line a skirt?}}}
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The short answer is you just make another skirt out of your lining fabric (minus the waistband) and attach it to your waistband when you attach the skirt portion to it. You treat the lining and skirt as one piece at the waist. There are a few differing techniques if you have a kick pleat (the easy way is to just line to the top of the pleat), or if it is a pleated or very full skirt then you often leave the pleats off for the lining and just make the lining straight.
I took the Pattern Review on-line class about linings from Sarah Veblan. It is offered about once a year. I highly recommend it. And you can often find tutorials or videos of how to do various linings from youtube or at other sewing blogs and some websites such as possibly the Threads magazine site (though I haven't checked there for a lining tutorial - but Sarah Veblan has a fantastic tutorial at Threads on doing a knit collar binding that I often use.)
Looking forward to seeing your skirt, Debbie.I agree with the Wag Doll, if I continue on when tired or agitated - that is when I end up making big errors. It is best to come back to it later.
Blessings,
Patti
I would bet you're average in the hips, but your cutting plan sounds good. I like the contour waist in that pattern. I haven't worn a skirt in ages, but may have to give this one a try sometime.
ReplyDeleteThank you, fourkid! I had never even thought of Youtube!
ReplyDeleteI am curvy in the upper hip to waist but I have to straighten out the side seam below the high hip, so what does that make me? I agree give some direction as to what they were thinking when they drafted these things.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that if you have that much fabric left you should not only make the skirt but a pair of pants, a dress and a jacket. Think of the wearing possibilities!!!
ReplyDeleteI've got the Simplicity 2700 pants pattern and the difference between the three was all in the back. The fronts were all the same but the pattern still have them labeled "slim", "average", and "curvy". I consider myself on the curvy side but have to straighten the hip curve because I have an extra long lower torso. The curvy part is in the rump. Loking forward to seeing the results.
ReplyDeleteTheresa in Tucson
Debbie, I so agree with you about the sizing issue in those amazing fit patterns. What in the heck do those sizes mean? Some guidance in the pattern would be nice. Sounds like you received some good advice here.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I made this skirt. I found that it ran big. Good luck!
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