There's definitely a difference between what "fits" when you're shopping and "fitting" in garment sewing.  And I think the discussion of fit in this thread is referring to the latter.

It sounds like you've got either too much fabric or not enough at the bottom hem.  Would you be OK posting a picture of the problem clothing by itself after it's been worn?  (Might help those of us who are visual learners getter a better handle on what's going on ...)

Does your hem look like this?

To poppysmum and others questioning whether to join ...



Doooooo it!   Dooooooooooo it!

You won't regret it! 

[ten]

Holy cow.  I think I agree with Sevs(?) on the "great stuff -- wisted!" sentiment.  I'ma have to go back through the gallery and take notes.  This swap has been AMAZING.

Speaking of amazing, my lovely date, Dorkariffic sent me a super-sweet package of wonderfully personalized goodies!

First, evidence that we were on a similar wavelength:  the package illustration!  (Drawing obscured by my shaky hands.  )



She sent a sweet letter describing the contents, but before I could read what she had to say, some laminated cards fell out of the note.  (I think I'll probably use them as bookmarks, since I have about 15 gazillion books going at once.)



Then, of course, I had to start digging in the package.  Read the letter, first?  Pshaw.  My loot:



Sweet.  A tiara I can wear on my impending 30th birthday, a Venus of Willendorf necklace with (I think) hand-made beads & charm, a beaded dragonfly pin, and a Viking Kitten helmet for my furbabies to share!

Check out the detail on the jewelry:


So I immediately had to get action shots of the helmet.  I wound up taking ten shots of Morkmer with the helmet.  I'm exercising great restraint, then, by sharing only this one:

   
and since my babies are 'lasky kitties, they can sing We come from the land of ice and snow ... with very little irony.

('Lasky = Alaskan.  It's cuter that way.  Like the cats.)

After I calmed down a bit, I read the letter.  Dorkariffic mentioned a detachable charm for my crown ... and I didn't see one, so I started digging through the box, again.

And came up with something PERFECT to take the sugary nature of the tiara down a notch:



Thank you, Fallon!  You were a blast to craft for and chat with.  I can't wait to start wearing everything you sent.  (At once, if I can get away with it.)

[Mostly Hostess Aprons]

Hey, everyone!

For this round, I'll be doing Mostly Hostess Aprons and Suitable Pouches.  I finished the sample apron tonight; the remaining aprons and the suit pouches are cut but not sewn.

The Mostly Hostess Aprons are 100% cotton aprons that measure 29 inches across and approximately 20 inches waistband-to-hem.  The three-compartment pocket spans 19 inches across the front and is 7 inches high.  The 1-inch waistband is available in 36, 45, 60, and 87" lengths.  Aprons with 36- and 45-inch waistbands will be gathered onto the band.

The pocket is available in multiple fabric choices on a first come, first served basis.  (I'll ask for your top 2 choices and try my best to accomodate you.)

new info:  If a 29-inch-wide apron will apsolutely engulf you, I'm happy to do a narrower apron.  The pocket will also be narrower.  (~20" apron width/10" pocket width?)



The Suitable Pouches are 4- by 6-inch zippered pouches made from recycled suit jackets.  Bright satiny linings add interest to an otherwise classically simple pouch.  Again, I'll ask for your preference on lining color and try to accomodate you.

new info: you'll have your choice of exterior embellishment; buttons that match the lining or an appliqued flower made from lining fabric.

(pictures to follow, likely tomorrow)

The pouch:


The lining:


The flower applique:


Can't wait!

[NO]

Oh, wow, NO.

That was my initial reaction to the try-on of my freshly-constructed bra.  I used a cute navy cotton with white polka dots from my stash ($1/yd fabric) as a muslin.

This pattern is going to need a fair bit of alteration to work for me.

Part of the flaws are in construction; the instructions leave a fair bit to be desired.  For instance, the elastic is meant to ruche the entire back, not just part of it.

There are design flaws, as well, at least for my body.  The cups are gappy and don't cover enough.  The halter strap wound up bearing the full weight of my breasts.  (OW!)

Pictures as soon as I work up the guts to put MY gut on the internet!

OK, I seriously cannot believe I'm posting these photos, but I want you all to see just HOW bad it is.  And we aren't doing the back view.  Even my pride has limits!

From the front, it's almost passable.  (But uncomfortable!)


But the side view gives away how truly awful it is!


Maybe someone else will have better luck?

crystalfairy sent me not just a thank you *card* but a thank you gift.  She sent a beautifully cross-stitched patch.  Thank you, J!

[Toria]

I received!  Toria sent me the most wonderful package -- look!



She sent me a cooool purse that's just the right size for my essentials (it's perfect!).  I adore the color.  It's FANTASTIC.  (AND it was her first-ever for someone else.

She also sent a toasty warm cream-and-raspberry stripe scarf.  Good thing it's fall already -- I can't wait to start wearing this one on a regular basis.

She also sent a gorgeous blank book (with the sweetest letter inside), a pack of crayons (yay!), a Canada pen, and my VERY OWN Teeny Little Super Guy glass.  (I scared the cats with my squeals of delight when I opened this package.)

Thank you so very, very much, Toria!  I love everything.

(Can you guys believe this was her first swap?!)

I received my last item today -- astronogirl's AWESOME knitted cuff!  YAY!

I was also able to wrestle the camera away from the Other Human.  Hee!


Tie One On Scarf, Kwoozy's tissue holder & hair pins, felted cuff, and java's crocheted goodies.

The mouse is a complete hit.

Oh, and Mieka, I used your migraine relief mask today.  Worked a treat -- thank you!

This always happens: I send, I spend half an hour after leaving the post office feeling like a responsible person, and then the anxiety sets in, along with the little voice that goes "And it's too late to add anything now." 

Add something?!  I always want something back cuz I'm sure it's total trash.  Funny thing though, the PO does not want to give you back your packages, even though they are YOURS!

May I introduce Swap Anxiety Girl?

(yes, I'm totally there right now.)

[bad]

Milo is shocked at the idea of Kitten Hats.  What he doesn't know is, that before he was born, his bad, bad, bad Mommy, put a hat on a cat.

Anyway ... the lesons learned from this experiment:
 -- make the hat larger than the top of the head. It stays on better when hooked over one ear.
-- a favorite food-as-bribe encourages the cat to hold still for photos.
-- bias binding works as a chin strap, but elastic on either end is a good idea for safety's sake.
-- cats will roll around on the floor if you attach things to their heads.
-- Mighty Hunters hate Santa hats.

Good luck!

PS -- this post makes me want to sing Immigrant Song