Tag: sewing

I intended this as a muslin (test garment) but I don’t think I’ll make another. It fits as it should, it’s comfortable — but I realise I’m just not really a dress person.

I don’t know why I thought I needed TWO x 2lb bags of buttons. One would have lasted me several lifetimes. They are mostly plastic, with some wood/metal/shell. And there are plenty of duplicates, so I’ll be able to find suitable sets for most of my garment sewing, I hope!

There are a couple of reasons to sew one’s own clothes. In a society full of cheap used garments, saving money isn’t one of them. For me, the process of sewing is itself very enjoyable. I like putting together fabric and pattern to make something pleasing to my eyes and comfortable for my body.

The huge advantage of home sewing is that I can make adjustments so the garment fits my unique carcass (and lifestyle) with no pulling, gaping, squeezing, chafing, or showing more flesh than feels appropriate. But pants …. argh … they are notoriously hard for the home sewist to perfect. It’s all those curves in three dimensions. Every few months I optimistically measure myself, print out a pattern, cut up an old sheet, sew it up, see where it needs adjusting, make said adjustments to the pattern, and repeat. When muslin #3 still doesn’t fit right, I call it quits for the day. And maybe pour a glass of wine.

Then I listen to the siren song of a different pants pattern from a different designer; that one should be easy to fit, right? Something to sleep on …

(Next day): Muslin #4 fits fine. Tomorrow I’ll cut the good fabric.

I’ve hardly left the house since coming back from Christmas at San Diego. Sure, I’ve walked the dog and visited the farmer’s market, but mostly I’ve been cocooning. It’s been chilly and overcast, grey gloom obscuring the sunrises and sunsets that are often so spectacular at this time of year. A good time for books and blankies and simple sewing projects as the year winds down.