its sew suezyque: My first Lady Skater

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

My first Lady Skater

But not my last! I really like this pattern and it's an easy sew. This one was intended to be just a muslin, but it actually looked pretty good (I thought so anyway) so I went back to cut out the sleeves, skirt, neckband and sleeve bands. Finished it up and am pretty pleased with it.

I did make a few modifications -

I compared to a Kwik Sew t-shirt pattern that fits fairly well in the shoulders and decided to slope the shoulder by about 1/2".
I basted the bodice together, without the sleeves, and decided that approximately 3/4" needed to come off at the waist seam. On this one, I just trimmed off at the waist and will correct on my pattern before I cut my next one.
I was also having a little gaping at the armhole above my bust, so a la Marcy Tilton there is a little dart extending from the armhole. No one can see it on this fabric and if they are that close I will swat them on the nose. I will also correct that on my pattern.
I did use the elastic to stabilize the waist seam, but may not if I use a heavier knit next time.
I added a total of 4" in length to the skirt. I'm tall and I like knee coverage.

After looking at the pictures of the back, I wish I had remembered another Marcy Tilton and Sandra Betzina tip - make your side seam allowances 1" to allow for the different hand of fabrics. Will make that change on the pattern too. It feels perfectly comfortable, I just don't like those pulls around my back. I will still wear it, because this material screams fall to me, so a cardigan or a jacket and no one will ever see.

I wore it like this today to "summer" it up and so my daughter could help me get some pictures. She says just a tiny bit of room to eliminate the pulls and otherwise this fits as well as anything I've made lately. Woot! I claim the score.