Well, I’m sorry to say my sewing project is on hold for awhile as I try to figure out what to do. First, I goofed and didn’t realize I was missing a few pattern pieces. I finally managed to decipher them from the fold-out insert from the book only then to discover they don’t fit on my material! According to the book, Weekend Sewing: More Than 40 Projects and Ideas for Inspired Stitching
I went over the Amazon.com to see what the reviews were saying about the projects. I did read there were issues before I bought the book, but after flipping through it at Barnes & Noble I knew I still wanted it (just at an Amazon verses B&N price). Most of the issues discussed were around the wrap skirt pictured on the cover, but I did find out that there are a number of corrections posted on the author’s weblog, so that was some help. In fact, one referred to the pattern I was trying to make, the “Summer Blouse,” but it was about a marking not included on the sleeve pattern, not about the issues with the amount of material required.
So I’m on hold for now as I figure out what to do. I really like this material from Debbie Mum. I’m not usually a yellow person because I’m so fair skinned that it doesn’t look that great on me, but I love daisies so couldn’t resist buying this.
My options are to go back to the fabric store and buy more fabric, if they still have this, or go back to the fabric store and see if I can find a pattern similar to the blouse in the book. I really want to make this now, dang it! I guess either way I’m making another fabric store trip, but I have to decide what I’ll do before I get there. Considering there are two problems now with this blouse pattern, I’m a little guy-shy about tackling it directly from the book. Let me say, though, I still like the book, and so did many of the reviews on Amazon, but there are definitely some technical issues with it. Therefore, it’s more of an inspiration and brainstorming book than an actual how-to book, which is not necessarily a bad thing (who doesn’t need inspiration now and then?) but it’s good to know this before buying the book.
June 17, 2009 at 9:52 am
Let me help.
If you are willing to have a seam in the center of the sleeve, you can do it with the fabric you have.
There are also a few different methods of folding the fabric. If you fold it so that the selvedge edges are in the center of the cloth, i.e. so that there are two folds, you can probably manage the sleeves. You may be able to fit the collar in somewhere. The collar can also be a contrasting fabric with daisy binding.
I’ve placed patterns many times with even less fabric. It can be done. You just have to be creative about the folding and placing.
Need more suggestions? Let me know
June 17, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I agree with Donna. You just have to watch the bias as you move pieces around.
June 18, 2009 at 7:40 am
Thanks, Donna and Ruth, I’ll try that. The issue is mainly with the sleeve, which is very long, and of course, I need two of them. I’ll try some creative folding and see if I can squeeze it out.