One of the new Project Runway patterns by Simplicity is for curvy girls! Fabulous!

Here it is, my first handmade shirt.

Pattern: McCall M5009

Size: 28W tapered to 30W on bottom. (For the uninitiated, most pattern sizes have much higher numbers than ready-to-wear.)

Lessons Learned: The first rendition of this shirt was much too big and the shoulders hung halfway down my upper arm. If I had taken the time to try it on when I basted it, I would have saved myself a lot of seam ripping. A dress form would’ve helped more, and making the pattern from muslin first would have been best.

Will I Use This Pattern Again? Probably not. I love the shirt but once is enough.

And here I am with my messy little boy, Benjamin.

I love that kimono-ish tunic look! Flattering AND comfortable - that’s hard to beat.

Here’s a round-up of six of the latest kimono-like sewing patterns. If you find more that aren’t on this list, let me know and I’ll add them.

From Simplicity:

• The Dress [Pattern #4050]
• The Short-Sleeved Knit [3890]
• The Tunic Top [3697]

From McCall’s:

• The Tunic/Dress [M5435]

From Butterick:

• The Dress or Tunic and Pants [B5002]
• The Roomy Tunic [B5040]

I finally took pictures of my new fabric and patterns. You can see why I’ve got some sewing to do!

Take a look at the fabrics and their corresponding patterns in my Fabric Insanity Flickr album. I’ve also got a photo in there of the baby floor pillow I just finished for Ben. Had to get that done before he gets much taller!

I have fabric for these patterns:

• Simplicity Wrap Shirt- making two of the second one down on the left with some very lightweight fancy knit material here and here. Am I sure about this? No. But it’s the only stretchy stuff I could find at Hancock that wasn’t a solid color or swimsuit material.
• Simplicity Swim Suit - The top from this pattern plus a skirt bottom from an older pattern in a brown floral fabric. They had some hip, crazy colored fabric I liked but this seemed like it would be the most flattering. I use the excuse that plus-size swimsuits are freaking expensive (like $75+) to justify half of my fabric purchase.
• Simplicity Lounge Wear - Bought this fabric to make the robe and camisole. I already have black pants - no sense in making more.
• Simplicity Cropped pants and tunic - with this fabric, similar to the model on the left.
• Simplicity Kimono Top - in this fabric and this fabric. Since I couldn’t find matching trim, I’ll make the one the model is wearing.
• McCalls Tunic - the one in the middle left in this fabric.
• McCalls comfy pants and shirt - can’t find the pattern on their site but it’s in my photo.

My first project is the tunic from McCalls. Before I could start on that I had to finish the baby floor pillow for Ben (see the front and back.)

Whew! One of Ben’s words sums it up - “Fabwick!” (I posted more of his toddler-speak here.)

I had a pattern spree too, but that post will have to wait ’till another night - baby calls.

There are spring knitting and crochet magazines popping up everywhere. I’ll post what I find as soon as I get them!

Hope you have a project-finishing kind of week,
Jen

A few weeks ago I posted a guest entry from Sarah where she shared her sewing pattern stash with us. She later sent photos of her in the finished Vintage Vogue dress and I’ve been meaning to post them but haven’t gotten a round to it.

So without further delay, I present…
The Lovely Sarah and the Beautiful Vintage Vogue Dress:
(click on the thumbnail to open the photo)

Love the hem detail!

Made by Me Mondays?

I thinking about starting a post on Mondays to feature photos of your creations. What do you think? Would you do it?
If so, which sharing method would be easiest for you? E-mailing photos to me, posting them to a flickr pool, or sending me a link to your photo online?

Hooray! I love to see new Simplicity patterns.

Love the shirt dress option and the wrap! One of my favorite dresses was a black wrap from Lane Bryant. This pattern goes up to 32W.

Nice options for the office. This one goes up to 28W.

Sarah sent a list of her patterns with a few reviews and I looked them up on the web. She has many lovely costume patterns, dresses for weddings, a yoga set and a great vintage Vogue dress.

Thank you Sarah for sending this in. Have fun taking a look at Sarah’s pattern stash!

Sarah’s Patterns

• McCall’s 4319 (Note from Jen: I couldn’t find this one on the web.)
• Vogue 1290
• Vogue Vintage V2902 - This I made in the fall to attend a friend’s wedding (version B). We had to slightly alter it, because I’m short waisted. Lots of darts involved! The pattern says it is average. I’d say it’s average to difficult. It was the first thing I ever put a zipper in. Again, we altered the pattern slightly with the zipper. I used an invisible zipper instead of the method they use. My mom has been sewing since the early 70’s, so she knows how and when to make shortcuts.
• Simplicity 5238 - This was a possibility for the wedding.
• Vogue 2299 - I started to make this some years ago (version C), but never finished. What I remember is that it is easy. (note from Jen - couldn’t find this on the web.)
• Easy McCall’s 2644 - I Made version C, top and pants. The top ended up looking more like a medieval blouse. The pants are VERY comfortable! I think I’ll be making a new pair this year. (Note from Jen: couldn’t find this online)
• Simplicity 4080 - A plus size Kimono! I’ve always wanted a Kimono. Western women in general are larger than Japanese women so this was a fantastic find! I think even if you were a small size, a kimono made for a Japanese woman might be small.
• Butterick 3418
• Butterick 4377
• McCall’s 3514
• Simplicity 4249 - Plus size Sari! I’ve always wanted a sari, and someday I’ll make this.
• McCall’s 4261 - I recently picked this up at Walmart for about $6. I haven’t gotten the fabric, yet. I’ll be making the full length pants for sure. I haven’t decided if I’ll be doing the long sleeve shirt or zip-up. What’s nice is this pattern has so many options! Even a yoga mat bag! (I’ll be knitting mine ) The size is marked Large-XL. If you look at the number sizes on the back the XL is 20-22.

I have another medieval outfit, but I seemed to have misplaced the pattern.

I usually “stock up” when Joann’s is having a $1.99 or even $0.99 sale.

Glad to help! Keep up the good work!

~Sarah

Coming Up on Big Crafty

I sort of got the evening off (yay!), so I started gathering images for a blog redesign. I found this black and white flower wallpaper pattern that I’ve seen everywhere and love. I also found these nifty sheep. I plan to change their color scheme.

Should be interesting! And if I get tired of it after a while, the images were only $2 and I’m more than happy to practice my design skills.

I’ll post Friday’s free patterns on Friday night. Stay tuned!

The May 2007 issue of Threads magazine has part one of an article on plus-size draping. Kathleen Cheetham, owner of Petite Plus Patterns, take you through the steps to drape a bodice and create a versatile custom pattern for yourself. This technique works for everyone, large and small, she says.

You can preview the article on their site.

This one calls for the buddy system. If you’re like me - you just moved to a new city, work full time and have a toddler and therefore have no social life - or some other circumstance, you may not have any local buddies that will spend half a day pinning up your bosom.

I wonder if a duct-tape double would work as well…? My husband doesn’t know a dart from an armhole but I’m pretty sure he can wrap me up in duct tape.

Imagined Monday morning conversation around the coffee machine:

Coworker: “So what did you do last weekend?”
Me: “My husband wrapped my up in duct tape so I could make an exact replica of myself.”
Coworker: “…..”
Me: “We’re not normal.”

I stocked up at Joann’s $1.99 McCall pattern sale this past weekend. I picked up mostly home decor and accessory stuff but found three plus-size patterns for my stash.

McCall’s M5337

I LOVE this shirt, particularly the lacy version and the patterned fabric w/ bow version. Too bad it’s one size too small! I bought it anyway - it looks roomy. This pattern goes up to 24W. I wear 22-24 off the rack (I don’t care if my size is public - I’m obviously not a size 4 so it shouldn’t be a shock!) If you look at the McCall’s sizing chart, their 24W is not the same as a ready-to-wear 24W. Why do pattern companies do that to people!? I’m sure there’s a good reason and I’ll look it up for you someday.

McCall’s M5196

Oh, the possibilities! Pick from your choice of a short or long shell, then choose from five different bolero styles. It’ll be a tough decision.

McCall’s M5116

I normally shy away from sleeveless tops, but ever since I’ve discovered boleros I’m willing to give them a shot.

You can see all of McCall’s larger sized patterns here.

Have any of you had success with a McCall’s pattern? Do share if you have!

Some of these are modern styles. Some, not so much. It just depends on your fashion preference.

Sites with Plus-Size Sewing Patterns

1. Simplicity Plus Sizes - I love the Khalia Ali collection. They also have some Threads plus-size patterns.
2. Burda Plus
3. Vogue - Today’s Fit by Sandra Betzina - Stock up on these at Joann this Friday and Saturday, March 2nd and 3rd. $3.99 each!
4. McCalls Large Sizes - these are also on sale at Joann this Friday and Saturday - $1.99 each! I always stock up when they have a sale like this.
5. Butterick Large Sizes
6. Hot Patterns - With most patterns, their size numbers are about 8 sizes larger than your ready-to-wear size. These are closer to ready-to-wear sizes, so don’t be discouraged by the max size of 26. Check their charts.
7. My Sister’s Patterns - Not my sister! That’s just the name of the site. I only have a brother and believe me, he knows nothing about sewing.
8. Sew Grand
9. Petite Plus by Cathleen Cheetham - patterns also for sale at The Sewing Place.
10. Fashion Patterns by Connie
11. Sew Mama Sew - This isn’t really a clothing pattern site - more of a fabric site. But they have two plus-size vintage-type patterns: Kitchennette Pajamas and 1953 Wrap Blouse Clarification: Kristen from Sew Mama Sew says the size D is 49–55″ bust and 43–49″ waist. Hooray for us! She’s temporarily out of stock of the larger sizes (as of March 1st) but should have them in a week or so.
12. Plus Size Bras

If you know of more, please add links to the comments. I would like to make directory pages at some point.

Have a great day!

More links: I’ll post more here as I find them or as you list them in the comments.

• Purrfection Artistic Wearables