Hoping someone can help...

I recently made Simplicity 2917 variant c and d. (It's the one with the red/pink dress not the vintage with the green dress that pops up in google: http://sewing.patternreview.com/patterns/19039 ). I made the shirt from a rather thin cotton print and the dress from a very light flannel. I made it to my measurements too. Neither fabric really has any stretch to it, and both have been washed and are not stiff.

Basically, the neck is too big. So are the armholes. I made the shirt first, I ended up having to remove the zipper panel and add darts to the bust area at the arms to make those not gap either. The dress, I changed the pattern a little to try and fix that. First I shortened the back centre the 4 or so inches I had to take in

I know the pattern is supposed to sit far out on the shoulders but on me it is slipping off. And if I sit, it gapes open on both items.

And, I don't need the zipper on the dress either.. I can slip it on over my head. I did convert the zipper to a side lapped zipper (because I hate zipping up my back!) I'm thinking they are just too big, but I followed directions and made true to size. Do their patterns always run this loose?

I'm going to alter the dress to fit.. but how in the heck do I fix the over-wide neck? And what would be the best way to alter the pattern pieces? Thanks!

I made this from an old sheet. It was originally a muslin... but the actual finishing was fairly simple.. so I finished it.

The pattern calls for a knit and this is not a knit. I now know that I will have to do a full bust adjustment no matter the fabric I use for this patten! Even so, I think it turned out very nice.

This bust by no means fits me. I'm fairly sure it's not worth the fixing. I'll just give it away.


The front.

I lined it with an old pillow case in a fun color.



Hanging on a door. Halters never hang on a hanger very well.

So Jo-Annes had a sale on Simplicity patterns. I bought 4. I mean.. they were two bucks EACH. So cheap.

I decided that since I have not used a real life pattern in ages that I should make a muslin first. I'm fairly smart sometimes. I'm making view A of this pattern. It's a long halter top sun dress.
I'm using an old cotton bedsheet.

I've decided to cut out the size that fits with my largest bits (bust and hips) and then adjust the waist. Is this the best way to go with this? I'm a fat hourglass, if that helps.

My final fabric is a cotton, light fabric with minimal stretch. I can add zippers or ties if needed to get the ease in, yes? I had sort of planned to just leave plenty of ease in the final garment and add a tie in the back for the waist...it seemed like all the patterns were for knits but I prefer other fabrics!

And lastly, the actual pattern itself. The directions are not that clear. It looks like the bodice is cut out twice.. and then the piece that you cut out with the pattern paper on backwards is then 'flipped' and used to line the bust?

What do I do with the dots? Make holes? Mark with pencil?

I also bought 2416, 2634 and 2917..anyone make these? And is it me or is the fabric requirements high for the tiered skirt and shirt?

To start off, I am a fat hourglass shape. (53-44-52) I try to dress to play up my assets...and down play the size.

I have two dresses. One.. I am about to take it apart and use it as a pattern. It's too worn out to even be a scrub the bathroom dress. But the bust fits oddly. It is a sort of shift dress.

The second is a sun dress. I'm taking about six inches off the hem to make it a wearable length. But.. it flattens my girls.
These photos were taken of me wearing a sports bra. I generally wear more omph! type bras.. but they don't fit well under these. How to best fix this?

This is the shift. (please ignore the stained fabric... like I said retired to be a pattern!)

Am I right in thinking that If I put on an awesome bra and measure myself properly (top to under bust) and then make the breast part that size instead of the size it has it will fit correctly? Or is there a better way?

Second dress:


This was a lot too long so I have a six inch long strip that is about my height to play with. I'm thinking football shaped gussets in the front.. or something?

It's too tight and uncomfortable JUST at the bust.

This is not how a dress should fit me.

Any help, suggests or whatever are all welcome.

OK, To start out with I wear a men's 38/woman's 18/20. I measure 53 inches at the widest point of my hips (I call it ghetto booty, LOL). You will need a top sheet from a twin (or larger if desired/needed) sheet set that is of a heavier cotton or jersey. You'll also need enough elastic for a band and/or a pull-cord.



 I can say that you will get a skirt from a dorm sized twin top sheet if you are my size or smaller. Bigger hips then mine might get a slightly different result. For inspiration I drew on "A Petticoat for the Ages" on the Anti-Craft site... then I simplified and changed a few things; mostly that math, the ruffle method and the look of the end result. I don't care for math that much and something this simple didn't really need it. This will also use the hemmed ends as I hate hemming.

You must measure your widest part, your hips and then add 4 inches to get your length for your waistband. For me, it was 57 inches. Write your number down. Following directions will yield a 30 inch long skirt.

First lay your sheet out flat on a large mostly clear surface. I used my floor. Don't mind the mess; it doubles as craft room/game room/living room/ dog play area. Use a chihuahua to weight the fabric. Take your scissors and carefully remove the wider hemmed end from the top end of the sheet. Set aside. This will be your waistband.



Measure out eleven inches along the short edge of one of the long sides. You will be cutting a eleven inch strip from each hemmed long side. A cheater's shortcut would be laying the first strip over the second cut strip and just using it as a guide. Only do this if your first piece is perfect. Be aware, the chihuahua will be checking your work! 10 inches will be the width, and the 1 inch will be your hem allowance.


Using your machine (or hand sewing for those into self torment) stitch one set of ends together. Be sure the hemmed ends are together. This is the lowest tier of your dress. At this time you will have a long thing rectangle roughly 14 feet long, set it aside for now.

Now for the top and center of your skirt.
You will need a middle tier and a top tier. The top tier will be your measurement plus 4 (remember that number from earlier?) long and 21 inches wide. If you want a shorter skirt, decrease that number (I'd say no shorter then 11 inches to not look odd) or a longer skirt increase that number. Be sure to leave an allowance for the hem.

I found it easier to cut the second tier before I cut the top piece. It is yet another 11 inch strip that runs the entire long side of the sheet. Set it aside. Measure a rectangle that is your number long at the top (Plus your inch hem allowance) and add two inches (plus hem!) at the bottom. Cut it out. (You may notice in my pictures that it looks like I used two pieces for my top tier. I did. My sheet had a hot coco stain on it.. hence me turning it into a skirt; thing was brand new!) I simply snipped a straight edge and reattached those pieces.)

Working from the bottom.
Lay the center tier out flat. At this point the chihuahua will be watching you from the chair with an air of disdain so you'll have to use pins to affix the fabric to the floor. First affix the ends and then the center. Each time affix the fabric at the center in the same manner (pull the fabric up till it's tight at the center then pin at that point)


It'll end up like this:
with a pinned fold roughly every 1.5 inches or so. Don't fret if it isn't 100% exact. Sew it up using a nice tight stitch. Bottom ruffle, done.

Repeat this procedure for the next tier. The ruffles will be much more subtle at this point.


Next take that wide hemmed end and attach to the top tier as the waistband. Sew it up nice and neat.


Run some elastic (if that's what you'll be using) through the top hem. Pin each end securely at the open end. Sew up the side seam being sure to sew through the elastic. If using a pull cord, insert grommets (sewn or metal) and run cord through the hem and back out for tying.

Lastly, wear and enjoy. It's cool and drapy, comfy in its looseness and based off one of the more feminine and sexy kinds of dresses out there, the salsa dress. Every time I wear it I get some attention, heh. Makes my guy jealous.

 http://img42.imageshack.us/g/skirt8.jpg/ Clearer pictures. The hosting here made the red look bleedy.

Off and on Lurker here. After recently being given a sewing machine for a B-Day I've been looking to sew some clothing I actually like..which led me to back here to this forum...and then, as a fat chicka.. to this area. Truly hope this is the right board!

I found a few guides...they are useful to me anyways.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-488236/Trinny-Susannah-reveal-12-womens-body-types--you.html -12 body shapes.

Using this guide I'm a cello... it's a hourglass type but a bit rounder...think classic 'ghetto booty'.

http://gok.channel4.com/ A step by step pick your part guide. This one tells me I'm a Butterfly, heh.

A quick 'what looks good' for these shapes.. http://beautybyella.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-dress-your-body.html

And.. the dress shape guide...http://www.promgirl.com/shop/body_types
Granted, they are formal dresses... but it should help give ideas, it has me!

I really hope this is OK... I kept noticing threads on what shape people are and what works on them so I'd thought I'd share.

I recently inherited an old Montgomery Ward model UHT J 1932. I don't have the guide... I think it needs oiled and cleaned (at least)... and the tension is all a mess.

Anyone have one and could give me a few clues? Last machine I used was years ago and much newer. I'd really like to use this, I could do with a machine.

My very first big blanket. It fits a twin bed nicely and it took me roughly a year. I made it for a friend of mine that I don't get to see much anymore.

Well, as you can see, it is modeled after old fashioned crazy quilts in which many different scraps of fabric were taken and sewn together to create a huge pile of color. I had bunches of little balls of yarn, a huge bag in fact, most of them over twenty years old and a desire to make them finally useful... and a friend in need of a blanket. Thus was born the Crazy Crochet!



It is very colourful. I used it as an excuse to learn lots of different stitches as well, so you will see that not all are alike. I felt this played well with the original crazy quilt.



An Irish Traditional Rose in yellow, the friendship color. I just felt it to be a nice touch.

I hope you enjoyed.