Sew and… no

(Apologies if you're fed up of my sewing posts; it's the only blog relevant thing I've done of of late - I'm sure you don't want to hear about the hours I'm putting in playing farming game Stardew Valley or my reread of the Dresden Files urban wizard novels.)

My Big Plan for the weekend was to get another copy of the pattern for the top I sewed recently, another fabric remnant and zip, and have a go at a full bust adjustment. I needed another copy of the pattern because for an FBA you need to cut out the pattern size to fit your shoulders, then widen it below to accomodate a large cup, and hey presto, a top with no gaping armholes or flappy fabric above the bust. But fate had other ideas...

I've got some sewable Swedish tracing paper - I'm not going to cut out the second pattern, I'm going to work on the tracing paper instead. I dropped into my local sewing shop and found a really cool remnant. But flicking through the pattern books I thought I was going mad. I knew I had the right book because I could see another pattern that had caught my eye when I bought Simplicity 8246. Yet could I see my pattern? No!

"Am I going mad?" I asked the shop assistant. "I know I got the pattern from this book..."

And then she explained that the pattern range had been updated only last week, and the one I wanted must have been discontinued. And the pattern companies get all unsold patterns back and pulp them, so they no longer had Simplicity 8246 in stock! ARGH.

"Have a look and see if there's anything else you want to make," Mr Robot suggested. There were lots of things I liked, but I really want to get this simple pattern right before I move on to anything more complicated - plus I already have the vintage fabric to make it in once I've got the pattern the way I like it.

So now I'm waiting for a copy of the pattern to reach me from Canada - hurrah for Etsy! I filled in the weekend planting herb seeds and scrubbing wooden floors, and I suppose it's going to be Stardew Valley, the Dresden Files and my knitting for me in the mean time.

I hope you had a fun weekend too, whether your plans went awry or not!

Comments

  1. Ugh, how frustrating about changing out the patterns. I admire your determination to master the pattern, but I would balk at shipping from Canada (though it shouldn't be too terrible for a paper pattern).

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    1. That and another one came to about £12, which is less than I'd pay for two paper patterns here anyhow.

      I've paid for shipping on a suit from the US before now...

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  2. Well drat! I wonder how often they update those patterns anyway?
    Video games are banned in our house after the playstation met an unfortunate end about 5 yrs ago & never was replaced -EXCEPT for my online Scrabble tournaments!

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    1. Quarterly, but some stay in the list for years - literally; I'm sure Simplicity's repro 'walk away dress has been in the books for the past 15.

      I work on two games mags, so I have the excuse that my PayStation is for work. It is work, honestly...

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  3. Hi Mim, not fed up yet. I love your sewing posts. :) That is a shame about this pattern and it made my heart very sad to hear that the pattern companies pulp the old stock. :(
    I always trace patterns. My weight used to go up and down like a yo-yo (now I am just stuck at "pleasantly plump") so I trace off everything, especially vintage patterns. It is a pain in the butt and takes a little time but you still have the original in one piece and can use it again. Plus if you mess up doing alterations the original is still there. I use tracing paper that's not half as swanky as your Swedish tracing stuff. It is from Burda, costs about £3 a (pink) packet but is worth its weight in gold. Xx

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    1. Yup, I have learned to do the tracing thing now!

      The Swedish paper was recommended by a couple of sites, but I shall look up the Burda stuff too. I don't suppose you have any cutting mat size recommendations, do you? I'm thinking of getting one of those and a rotary cutter.

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    2. Hi Mim, i would choose one bigger than mine. I have got an A3 one and it is just too small. Maybe A1 or A2? I hate rotary cutters even though I do quilting sometimes. I just never got the hang of them and always cut myself. I really shouldn't be allowed sharp things. Too clumsy. :) Some people swear by them though. I used to use Olfa cutters and bought a cutting mat from eBay. Just as good as the expensive ones. Xx

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  4. Aargh, indeed! I can feel your frustration. It's a good thing you found the pattern on Etsy, but when you're all set to sew, that's what you want to do ... No plans went awry here, I just packed too much in and was knackered by Sunday night ... xxx

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    1. I'm taking some days off in May, so maybe that will be my week off project - to make the suit in the vintage fabric. Which will mean getting the pattern correct before then.

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  5. I'm loving your sewing posts, keep them coming.
    What a nuisance that the pattern you wanted had been discontinued. When you've got the urge to sew that must have been really frustrating. xxx

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  6. Oh how annoying! I hate it when that happens xxx

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