Having a Fit

Not that kind of fit. The kind where I make a horrible dress with too many seams, too much fitting and made of horrible 1 inch gingham. The only gingham that Hancock had was made of some kind of horrible plastic-y parachute fabric. It raveled like nothing I'd ever seen before. But I finished the accursed thing and this is what I learned.

I have a "high bust."
I have a "full bust."
I am short. (Actually, I kind of knew that already.)
I am short-waisted. Really short-waisted.
I have a broad back.

Now I understand why I wear so many separates and Empire waist tops. My natural waist is no where that makes sense. I have a really hard time finding RTW dresses that fit, unless they have an Empire waist, but those run a danger of looking vaguely maternity (which I am so over).

Now that I know what my fitting problems are, I am hoping that I can adjust my patterns to fit. I like simple styles, so it doesn't take me too much time to sew up a straight dress, or a wrap dress, or a skirt.

I made one dress over Christmas break that I just love. The fabric was some $3 a yard stuff that I picked up at Hancock, but it turned out lovely. Very flattering. Also, this was the first anything that I've made with a knit. I sewed it on my serger and actually learned how to use a twin needle. I'll post a picture soon.

Conway Sews

My grandmother taught me to sew when I was really young. She had made a lot of clothing when my aunt and my mom were growing up, but by the time I was around, she had moved on to quilting. She made lots and lots of double knit quilts and quilt tops as well as some beautiful cotton ones. Since she was in a quilting frame of mind, she taught me to piece quilts. I learned garment sewing in high school, under guidance of my mother, who never had the patience to sew, but had picked up a lot of knowledge just from being around everyone else who did sew.

Because of my experiences with my grandmother's old Kenmore, I've developed a love of old sewing machines. Like my grandmother, they are strong and versatile, as useful for making clothes as for making beautiful quilts.