Dotty Jacket and Multi-tasking ...

As the holidays approach there is so much to do!  And yesterday I had another "do a little of this and a little of that day"

I bought the pattern I'm going to use to make my jacket and played around with the layout.  I will have to buy some white wool for the collar and in addition to the other changes I plan to make, I need to move the sleeve seam up 2".  I just don't like where it is and the pieces will fit better on the fabric with this change.

The lower portion of the sleeve is supposed to be a contrast fabric (kind of weird, actually) and I want it to be all the same fabric.  I experimented with getting rid of that seam all together, but then the pattern pieces were way to large and weird to fit efficiently on the fabric.

So, I drew that sleeve seam up 2 inches and taped on tissue and added 2 inches to the sleeve. And, as I always do when altering a pattern, I measured in 5/8" of an inch and marked the stitching lines.  That way I can check that the two pieces will fit when sewn together.  I think this pattern was designed for fabric that is stretchier than mine so I'm going to add on extra width to the sides of the sleeve pattern and probably to the sides of the front and back pieces as well.  This is what my mother taught me ... you can always trim it off!

So, no cutting yet.  I have to buy white wool for the collar.  I still plan to add a bottom band, but will do it with the dotty fabric. See previous blog.  After thinking about it for a while, I didn't think a white band around my bottom would be too flattering.

For now, pattern is bundled up until I get the rest of the materials I need.

Also, yesterday, I worked more on the new Halloween patterns for next year.  I'm to the point, for my first pattern, of tracing out my working patterns ready to submit them to the Simplicity pattern making department.


AND my sister, Theresa LaQuey, will, I hope, be guest blogging here.
I introduced her in a blog last September.

She also, sings when she isn't designing and sewing.

She is starting to work on a beaded evening gown for herself. She will share some progress here.  You can also follow her on Facebook.  She is listed as Theresa LaQuey Couture.