Finally! After much confusion, a technical difficulty has been resolved and we are back in business. Time flies so quickly, doesn’t it?
In today’s podcast, I give you the news about my new “brand” as Fairy Grandmother, describe my misadventures in getting the collar done on My Honey’s cowboy shirt, and started Chapter 2 of the McCall’s Sewing Book.
Click here to listen via direct download
Click here to listen via iTunes
Chapter 2 Illustrations
Figure Proportions
As you can see, bust development and placement plays a key role in choosing an appropriate pattern. Teen and Junior bustlines are high (what is often called perky or youthful). Misses’ bust are mature and “normal.” Women’s and Half-size are “fully developed” (and nice way of saying full busted and starting to head south). If you click on the image, it will take you a larger version of the image for easier reading.
Usual Proportion Measurements
Click on image to enlarge.
When you examine these charts, notice what a difference even an inch makes in determining the appropriate pattern size and proportion. Simplicity offers a “Do You Really Know Your Pattern Size?” in PDF format that includes instructions on how to measure the high bust. Click here to download it.
And finally, this is my husband’s sculpture that is currently being exhibited in the California Art Club’s Gold Medal Exhibition. He didn’t get the gold medal but I think he was robbed (not that I’m biased or anything)…
Testing the Water
Thank you so much for the information about how to obtain the perfect fit! I am so sick of ready-made clothes that are cut poorly. I was wondering if you might consider doing a show or blog about how to alter patterns for a perfect fit. I am an average size but I am really tall and most sewing patterns are made for someone a good 5-6″ shorter than me. I look kooky in these shrunken clothes. I really want to learn to make flattering, simple clothes that fit me. Many thanks.
great advice, very informative…super blog btw
Molly,
I am still learning how to alter patterns, myself! We’ll learn together–I promise I’ll be more “instructional” when I share my pattern alterations.