Over the summer, my friend and fabric dealer/enabler Mary and I have been meeting up in any bits of spare time to help each other draft and fit basic bodice blocks. (sometimes called slopers) We both struggle to get a perfect fit with standard patterns, both of us are blessed (or cursed!) in the bosom department, but have small backs, and narrow shoulders. Actually we both have remarkably similar measurements, unyet as we discovered both needed very different adjustments to our basic blocks, which only goes to show that standard sizes and styles work differently even on two women with the same main measurements, ie bust and waist.
I discovered I have a more rounded back than I realised, with small sloping shoulders and a sway back...then there is my dowagers hump! I can't say fitting the back was much fun for me. You may or may not have noticed that I almost never post back views on my blog, and that is because I think I look rather odd from the back, and I struggle to get a good fit with commercial patterns in the back bodice.
This photo shows my first fitted bodice block, before moving the shoulder dart.
This photo shows my first fitted bodice block after moving the shoulder dart to the side bust. Putting even this calico toile on felt amazing!
I was so pleased with how this toile felt that I had to try making a simple dress using it. I'd been planning to make a sleeveless dress to wear over a long sleeved sweater in the winter, and this seemed the perfect chance to give it a go. So using my newly drafted basic bodice block I cut out a simple sleeveless bodice and self drafted circle skirt. I added pockets in the side seams of the skirt, and cut bias binding from the same fabric to finish the armholes and neck. The resulting dress is simple, but I love it! Far from perfect, I think the front waist darts could come in a little more, and yes the neckline is a little high, but I know this is a dress I will wear lots this Autumn and Winter.
Best of all, is now I have a basic bodice block that fits, the options to make many different designs are huge. I can't wait to get started!
And look a back view!!
Next on the list is drafting a sleeve...
You can see there is a bit of pattern tweaking still to come, but despite that, I can honestly say that these photos arriving in my inbox this week have been one of the highlights of the week, even knowing I have more work to do on this pattern.
These were not the only fabulous photos I've recieved this week how about these?
Marie won a Scrappy Dove kit in one of my recent give aways, and had some lovely "Mummy and Son" time making it up. Here is what she said to me.
"I really enjoyed the process .... my youngest son, Humphrey, joined in and made his own with me. Humphrey chose an old pair of pjs, a sock and a pair of pants for his. Humphrey enjoyed making his bird too and is happy for me to send you a photo to say thank you. It was a lovely project to complete together. Thank you."
This week has been half term here, I've still been working, so I've had six children here most days (some days more!), and each needing attention of one form or another, which means any serious stitching or working on patterns has taken a back seat. Though I can never quite stop tinkering.
I finally finished off this bunny that had been sat sadly on my desk for longer than I care to admit. He is made from two precious scraps of original 1950's fabrics bought a few years ago at the Antique Textile Fair in Manchester.
I've been helping India make a skirt. She used my A line skirt tutorial and raided my stash for some gorgeous Linton Tweed. I got the job of all the hand stitching.
I know she has an eye on one of my vintage handbags to go with this skirt too!
I've also been playing with box pleats and pattern matching, following Tuesday night's Great British Sewing Bee, but hopefully more on that to come....