Not-So-Haute Couture

So inspiring: Timmel Fabrics' sewing with a plan

2 shirts from Butterick/Unique B4609 are started: I made up a toile of the custom pattern. It fits great from the bust down (I didn't have to do an FBA! Yay!), but there are issues: The armholes are too low The upper back is too long The shoulders aren't wide enough The shoulder seam is wayyyy back on my shoulder I altered the Unique pattern to correct (I hope) the above issues, but they are basic fitting concerns and I will be sending Unique an email with pictures and I expect that they'll re-draft. I can compare the re-draft with my altered pattern. I went ahead and did the alterations for practice in altering and for sewing practice. I need to make a toile for McCalls/Unique M4930 to see if it has the same issues.

Off the Cuff has highly recommended Islander Sewing Systems for men's shirts. They have a nice-looking men's classic dress shirt .

To sew my own stylish, everyday clothing that looks like well made ready-to-wear but fits much better. I saw the above blurb in Threads magazine and it is exactly what I strive to do. So I made it my sewing mission statement. It sure sounds good but I'm not there yet. I've had to figure out my personal style, which is a fun thing to do. I've read, enjoyed and learned from a ton of wardrobe planning and image books like these: They all suggest that you find your personal style. Mine is a sort of casual/classic. Out of the above recommendations,, Ready to Wear and 40 Over 40 were the most helpful for everyday wardrobe planning-probably because they are the most recently published.

Kai is clearly telling me here how much he adores his new toy. Sonia Rose is checking hers out: