Oct 31 2009
Blouse Alteration Gone Wrong
I tried out this great fitting tip from Sandra Betzina: Draw two lines through the bust point. Split the pattern open. Adjust to fit the bust and waist.
You can see that the original pattern is laying on top of my favorite pattern making paper, packing paper. I have marked it with my favorite marker, water soluble pens that I share with my four year old, straight from the coloring book section of the grocery. (Those are my money saving tips for the post.)
In performing this alteration, I somehow managed to overlook the fact that I had just dropped the waist, which I had raised, back down to its original location. And the armscye was too small.
An alteration gone horribly wrong. Or maybe not so much. I made it in cheap muslin, tried it on, and could have adjusted the armscye. But decided that I don’t like the neckline - too high and not so flattering - and really didn’t want to go to more effort. So I chucked it out.
I haven’t given up on the Sandra Betzina tips though. I have three of her books, and all have helped me tremendously.
Instead of messing around with the wonky pattern, I bought some Today’s Fit patterns at Joann’s and have been really pleased with the instructions. I am hopeful that the patterns will sew up just as nicely. I bought a shell pattern, partly because I have been happy with the Sandra Betzina books, and partly because the blouse has a dart and neckline that looks flattering.
I need some blouses to go with my newly remodeled trench coat and pants .
