The Act of Sewing Book...

 Back in October of last year, I invested in the Act of Sewing by Sonya Philip with the intention of playing with the patterns over winter.  Somewhere around that time period, I got Covid and spent three long weeks with it.  At this point, I got the top pattern traced in a size that I thought was appropriate at the time.  This pattern is very much like Shirt No 1 in the 100 Acts of Sewing pattern line.  I was really looking forward to playing and trying various modifications.  Fast forward a couple of weeks, I tripped and fall fracturing my knee cap.  This was 12 long weeks of definitely not being able to sew.  Then we decided to move my Mom to an apartment.  There went another 2 months of helping with packing, moving, unpacking, selling a house and goods in the house, closing on the house, etc.  

Now we are into April, spring sewing is here but where is my boo?.  Here it is August and I have found my book with the already traced pattern.  Maybe this will be my late fall/winter playing this year. It will definitely be in between other projects because I have many projects already planned for fall/winter.  

Here is what I am planning:

1.  Make the top pattern as is and get it fitted. 

2.  Modify the top pattern for a v neckline.

3.  Modify the top pattern with a split front.

Now, I just need to figure out how much fabric need for each project and whether or not there is stash fabric available for the project.  If I do not have fabric to make a muslin or a top, I will purchase some fabric.  Muslin fabric will come from the walmart pre-cut bin.  The finished project will be whatever I find and I am willing to wear. 

Have you seen this book and work through it?  What were your results?  Happy  or not happy.  

Happy Stitching!

PS...Remember to check out Darla Sews at Destashify.  I add new items frequently.  Please, help me bring my stash under control. 

Book Review...The Act of Sewing

 I found The Act of Sewing by Sonya Philip recently at my local library.  I am familiar with the author as she is the designer behind 100 Acts of Sewing Patterns which is a basic sewing pattern line.  Look it up.  

The book starts like many sewing books do now listing tools and techniques, discussing terminology, fabric, working with patterns, seam finishes, hems, and finishing curved edges.  All necessary for beginning sewing. Next, we hop into the section where the gold is.  The gold being the patterns.  This book contains four patterns - top, pants, skirt, and shirt.  This chapter provides the instructions for each pattern.  There is suggestions on making a muslin for each pattern.

The next section is where things start getting interesting - shorten/length, make wider/narrower, shoulder adjustments, bust/chest adjustments, and rise/seat adjustments.  Making the muslin can help you  determine what changes are needed to fit the pattern the way you want it to fit.  Next, discussion of various neckline styles and how to achieve them; different types of closures and facings; sleeves changes and how to achieve them; how to change the body of the garment by adding yokes and button plackets; waistband changes; different types of hems; adding embellishments such as gathers, pleats, tucks, ruching, and pockets.

The next section is all about combining the patterns to make a dress, a tunic, a tie-front shirt, and a jumpsuit.

All in all, this is a great book.  I do think that a beginner could do something with the patterns in this book and make pattern changes as well.  The book is a good investment if you are willing to try the patterns. 

I have added it to my library.  I think next year I will be playing a lot with the patterns in this book.  I just need to check the stash and see what might be appropriate there.  If I do not much in the stash and that is possible, then I was start looking for fabric that would be appropriate for the various projects.  

I am thinking of a lot of possibilities especially with playing with necklines.  As much as I like getting new patterns, it is very frustrating to do the fitting on each individual pattern.  It is very freeing to use the same pattern over and over.  I must have made five tank tops using the fabrics-store tank pattern and it was free.  

Hope I have given you food for thought.

Happy Stitching!

Sewing Time...

Amazingly I found some time to think about sewing.  I am determined to make a top similar to the one shown in the "I've Done It Now" post last week.  I have a whole 45 minutes set aside to look at the pattern.  Here's a refresher on the pattern:

My thought was I could create a similar top as shown in the post linked above with View A of this pattern.  So I pull out my pattern, check the finished measurement, select the size that I think will fit best, and select my size.  Imagine my surprise when I realize that I purchased the wrong size pattern.  Oh, yeah, not good. 

It would be far easier just to return the pattern and get the right size.  However, my husband doesn't want me going to Walmart for any reason.  I did locate the receipt where I purchased the pattern.  I suppose I could enlarge the pattern that I have.  That can be tricky when you are going up more than one size.  One size isn't hard but two or three sizes may well be more difficult than is necessary when you just purchase another pattern.

I could also use another pattern.  I had a couple of other options that I thought would work.  Here's the first one:

This is the Tunic No. 1 pattern by 100 Acts of Sewing.  This pattern is reasonable easy, has the slight oversized feeling, and facing.

This is The Camber Set pattern by Merchant and Mills.  This top pattern is a little fitted.  I was going to make the dress shown but if I fit the top, I should be ready to whip out the dress when the fabric arrives.

What do you think?  Should I order another Simplicity pattern or should go with one of the alternatives?

Happy Stitching!