Sew and… no
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!
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).
ReplyDeleteThat and another one came to about £12, which is less than I'd pay for two paper patterns here anyhow.
DeleteI've paid for shipping on a suit from the US before now...
Well drat! I wonder how often they update those patterns anyway?
ReplyDeleteVideo 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!
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.
DeleteI work on two games mags, so I have the excuse that my PayStation is for work. It is work, honestly...
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. :(
ReplyDeleteI 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
Yup, I have learned to do the tracing thing now!
DeleteThe 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.
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
DeleteAargh, 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
ReplyDeleteI'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.
DeleteI'm loving your sewing posts, keep them coming.
ReplyDeleteWhat 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
Oh how annoying! I hate it when that happens xxx
ReplyDelete