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A couple of Mondays ago it was raining cats and dogs. 
So, instead of taking Lucy to the “woods” for a walk–I push her up and down the hills at Breakheart Reservation in her umbrella stroller while she heckles me about why I’m huffing and puffing–yes, my 2-year-old heckles–we went to Joanns. Naturally.
McCall’s patterns were $.70 each. No type-o there. As in, thirty cents less than a dollar, seventy cents more than free. In a recent push to make more of my garments (which may just be an excuse to buy more fabric, ahem) I made a plan for my fall wardrobe that involves a lot of sewing. And a lot of voile.
More on this later, but I left the store with three patterns, two yards of linen-cotton blend, and some polyestery lining fabric. I wanted to make McCalls 6565, like, right away.
As things do, the fabric and the pattern sat for a couple of weeks. This past Monday, though, the day before I had jury duty (thankfully, a one-day affair) I decided to whip the top together and wear it to court the next day.
Everything went fine, it’s a super-cute and smart pattern. And then I tried it on. And got stuck in it. I cut a size 8, but apparently needed a size 12 or so. (When I buy a fitted shirt at the mall, I usually buy a 6.) And I had to seam ripper myself out of the WIP.
I haven’t touched it all week except to pet the pretty linen. I’m thinking I need to add a gusset to the facing/lining (the part that was actually too tight) and insert an invisible zipper in the side seam.
This is reaching quite a bit out of my comfort zone.
OK, part II, then I’ll tie this all together I hope.
An email landed in my inbox from my professor friends who live in Phoenix and who are brand-new homeowners (!! hooray!!). They asked me to design and sew two twin-size quilts for beds in their guest room.
Yep. DESIGN and sew.
S (the wife) has a fabulous idea that the design should read across the tops of the two twin beds–like I’m designing a king-size quilt and breaking it up with borders so that the design falls correctly.
The logistics of the design placement notwithstanding, this is a pretty challenging assignment for me. Since February, I’ve been trying to push myself to make quilts that are a little different. A little more “me.” This isn’t the easiest thing for me. It’s not the easiest for any of us, I think. It’s work! Designing a quilt is work. It doesn’t just fall out of the sky like divine inspiration. It’s sketching, and math, and how-much-yardage-to-buy.
Oh but. I can make me a fabric stack.
And I can tell you that instead of being scared of designing these quilts, or of trying to solve my linen top crisis, I’m actually excited. I’m feeling challenged, in a really good way. Bring on this fall, bring on the challenges.
I can’t wait to see what I come up with.
(And, if you have any tips on fixing a too-small linen top. You know where the comment box is.)
little and lots 
+1 for seam ripping your way out of your shirt – that is awesome.
+1 for beautiful fabrics becoming “you” quilts – excited to watch the progress!
No advice for the top but just wanted to say “yay” for your “bring on the challenges” attitude!
Perhaps that is why the patterns were cheap! They aren’t in British sizes are they – ours are smaller? A gusset and side zip sound like a good idea, and since it doesn’t fit anyway you may as well have a go. Good luck – hope you get it fixed cos the fabric is pretty.
that’s so exciting! Congrats on the commission, I can’t wait to see it!
That stinks about the shit darn vanity sizing. It’s really a nice pattern, do you think you’ll be able to fix it? I had the same problem when I bought some patterns, I can wear anywhere between size 8-12, but my measurements are more 14-16… I’ve already told you on Flickr… I LOVE that fabric stack, you can make me a quilt out of it if you want :p Or I might just copy your stack because I have a lot of those same fabrics 😉
lol, shirt in that first sentence :p
Haha, Liz. I didn’t realise that you had made a typo in the first sentence, I just thought you were very passionate about sizing issue 🙂
Can’t offer you much advice on the shirt…I never know what size to make, the measurements always seem odd to me! I have thought about adding a couple of panels down the sides before now, but never tried it and tbh it prob wouldn’t work!! Love the fabric pull, I understand the worry, but I bet it’ll work out fab, you’re right to be excited 🙂
Hi,
Just fyi the big 4 sewing patterns sizing is not the same as RTW. But they do have ease.
I think size 6 RTW should be about size 14 but maybe if there’s a lot of ease a 12 will be okay, measure the flat pattern against your rtw clothes or check out the finished measurement table.
Oh my goodness, having to seam rip yourself out of a top is something that would totally happen to me… However the scene in my head of you pulling out the seam ripper has made my night!
Love the fabric stack, obviously the Waterfront Park absolutely makes it!
Oh, Laura… The shirt… I am no seamstress or fashionista…. I would give it to a kid that it would fit! But that’s me – a T-shirt kinda gal.
The quilt…. GLAD to read that you are all amped up about designing the Siamese twins. Yes! Yes! Yes! That is exciting! What a great idea ‘S’ has come up with! CAN wait to see your design, assuming it will take you a little or a lots to find just the right inspiration – Really, I know it will be worth the wait!
“Oh but. I can make me a fabric stack.” Priceless! Laughed out loud – for real!
Thank you sew much for this post. I needed that!
You are too funny!, i mean it sucks about the shirt, but seam ripping your way out, Awesome! And i can’t wait to see what you come up with for the quilts, cause you have that stack nailed!! Gorgeous!
Haha loved this line “As in, thirty cents less than a dollar, seventy cents more than free.” such a fun post to read but I’m so sorry to hear of the heart ache in sizing. The worst part of patterns is tweaking the size for sure! Good luck on the edits
i still can’t get over the image of you seam ripping yourself out of a shirt. that is my favorite moment this week! love. i can’t wait to see the quilts you make – if anyone is up for this challenge, it’s you!
Lol with getting yourself out of the shirt. The fabric stack is beautiful.
you can make a fabric stack- definitely! I can’t wait to see your quilt design. I’m sure it will be fabulous! You know me and garments, so I’m afraid I have nothing to offer on that front.
🙂 Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation
That’s too bad about the shirt. I can’t wait to see your quilt design -the fabrics look great.
Ok, maybe a “fail,” but what a great story you have now! Here you are, sweetly trying to make yourself a new garment for JURY DUTY (let’s not forget that little detail, folks) and then you had to SEAM RIPPER yourself out of it. I mean, come on! That is comedy gold right there.
Very interesting design challenge with the quilt! I can’t wait to see what you do!!
I am glad that jury duty was painless and quick 😉 Sad about your shirt. Pattern sizing is always crazy. My mom is that type of seamstress and people are always appalled by the size of pattern they need based on their measurements. Can’t wait to see your quilts that you are designing!
Well your fabric pulls have you started in a good direction! Just don’t forget to put some of yourself in there, even if it is for friends. 🙂
What a cool idea for the quilts to read as two parts of a whole. Awesome! I know you can pull it off. Bring on the fall indeed!
Oh this is so exciting! first I love the shirt but have no idea how to fix it! I love the fabric stack and it will make great quilts! I am excited to see what you come up with! It will be terrific!
xo jan
How exciting to be designing those quilts! I have been feeling this too lately, that I need to do more me stuff, not just things that I see and like, but more original. Sorry about the shirt…no clue about making clothes:)
I wonder if the shirt sizing is UK sizing. In Australia, our sizes are the same as the UK and a size 6 would be a child’s size. Size 8 would be the size of a very petite woman who could fit into children’s clothes if she had to, and size 10 is supermodel thin.
I am so excited about your quilt challenge. I look forward to seeing the finished quilts.
How exciting to be designing a quilt. That is a great fun challenge.
Sorry I can offer you too much advice on fixing your top. What I remember my mom used to do was leave a bit more of seam allowance to allow you to take out if you need to. She always said “it is easier to cut the excess that to add to it.” Maybe you can add a panel to get it to the right size. Or make a top for your daughter. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.
really – seam ripped yourself out? oh so fun and exasperating at the same time. darn vanity sizing! I never want to know what size patterns my mom has to buy for me because patterns are the traditional sizes that haven’t changed like manufacturers have to keep us thinking we’ve not grown a single bit, not even after 7 kids. I guess you know the dirty secret now. sorry you had to learn it the hard way.
those quilts are going to be awesome!