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Why or why do I follow the directions? (Moderated by Deepika)
Posted on: 2/17/21 10:05 AM ET
I'm in the process of making a nice wool shirt for my husband, I had done a muslin for just the body to fit, and made adjustments.
Now working on the "second choice" fabric and glad I didn't use the choice he really liked.
I squeezed out the pattern piecing some areas that didn't quite fit for cut out (plaid), and they hid nicely.
Then started the construction.
Yikes I couldn't even make sense of the welt pocket directions, and went to KDK craftsy video on pockets, and sewed modified the pattern pieces....strike one, tear out, resewn before cut open...but I got it tacked and it looks ok, it is the trial after all.
Then went back to KDK, watched several times, and did my own pattern....much improved, got a little pull on one corner, but then this is a trial, ok.
Next attaching the convertable collar....Yikes tear out #2, after it was trimmed...again to video, this time Lappin's shirt construction on craftsy...he explained so well, the problem is that the instructions had the steps in the wrong order! Also the pattern had not enough markings. It took about 45 minutes to pin, then hand, and machine baste (the seam was trimmed already)!!
I ended up putting it in upside down, but that is ok, maker error, the seam is in the back. At least it is on.
I've had to mark up tons of additional steps and notes on instructions, so far...also making more notches and notes on pattern pieces themselves. Oh this looked so simple!
Hopefully the tear outs will be over now...the simple things, sleeves, cuffs, side seams and button holes.
I typically sew without instructions, but further seams will be basted (I rarely baste)!

Wardrobebyme...mens over shirt...5 stars (
)
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Now working on the "second choice" fabric and glad I didn't use the choice he really liked.
I squeezed out the pattern piecing some areas that didn't quite fit for cut out (plaid), and they hid nicely.

Then started the construction.

Yikes I couldn't even make sense of the welt pocket directions, and went to KDK craftsy video on pockets, and sewed modified the pattern pieces....strike one, tear out, resewn before cut open...but I got it tacked and it looks ok, it is the trial after all.
Then went back to KDK, watched several times, and did my own pattern....much improved, got a little pull on one corner, but then this is a trial, ok.
Next attaching the convertable collar....Yikes tear out #2, after it was trimmed...again to video, this time Lappin's shirt construction on craftsy...he explained so well, the problem is that the instructions had the steps in the wrong order! Also the pattern had not enough markings. It took about 45 minutes to pin, then hand, and machine baste (the seam was trimmed already)!!
I ended up putting it in upside down, but that is ok, maker error, the seam is in the back. At least it is on.

I've had to mark up tons of additional steps and notes on instructions, so far...also making more notches and notes on pattern pieces themselves. Oh this looked so simple!
Hopefully the tear outs will be over now...the simple things, sleeves, cuffs, side seams and button holes.

I typically sew without instructions, but further seams will be basted (I rarely baste)!


Wardrobebyme...mens over shirt...5 stars (
)------
You can lead people to the truth, but can't make them think.
Posted on: 2/17/21 10:55 AM ET
In reply to sewingonvintage
I hate to ask but what pattern are you working from?
Posted on: 2/17/21 11:14 AM ET
In reply to sewingonvintage
I think we are conditioned to believe pattern directions are well written & if the instruction is in the pattern, then there's a reason for it. It happens to me all the time.
There are some parts of a pattern that I know how to do without instruction. But, if the instruction differs from my understanding of how to do something, I always think that there's a reason for the different approach. Many times, after I struggle with a pattern & get through it, I wonder WHY I doggedly adhered to the bad instructions!!!
When I review patterns, I like to point out areas where I think the instructions are wonky. I figure that if I fell into the trap, someone else might also do the same.
I'm glad to read that this wasn't your final version of the shirt. You learn much more from your sewing struggles than with easy construction. Your final shirt will likely be close to perfect. That's good news!
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There are some parts of a pattern that I know how to do without instruction. But, if the instruction differs from my understanding of how to do something, I always think that there's a reason for the different approach. Many times, after I struggle with a pattern & get through it, I wonder WHY I doggedly adhered to the bad instructions!!!
When I review patterns, I like to point out areas where I think the instructions are wonky. I figure that if I fell into the trap, someone else might also do the same.
I'm glad to read that this wasn't your final version of the shirt. You learn much more from your sewing struggles than with easy construction. Your final shirt will likely be close to perfect. That's good news!
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My Herd: Bernina 790 Plus Upgrade, Bernina 735, Babylock Triumph, Bernina Record 931. Sewing Makes My Crazy Life Normal.
Member #25631
Member #25631
Posted on: 2/17/21 11:18 AM ET
In reply to sewingonvintage
Been there, done that!
I just assume that unpicking is part of the process - or it is for me!
One of my few resolutions for 2021 was to hand baste before sewing. I keep reading articles and watching videos where the very best sewists always hand baste and if it works for them then I figure it can't hurt.
(I will add that my most recent project required unpicking the shoulder seams on a precious sweater knit because I hadn't looked at the fabric closely enough and wound up with wrong sides together. No amount of basting would have fixed that!)
I just assume that unpicking is part of the process - or it is for me!
One of my few resolutions for 2021 was to hand baste before sewing. I keep reading articles and watching videos where the very best sewists always hand baste and if it works for them then I figure it can't hurt.(I will add that my most recent project required unpicking the shoulder seams on a precious sweater knit because I hadn't looked at the fabric closely enough and wound up with wrong sides together. No amount of basting would have fixed that!)
Posted on: 2/17/21 11:35 AM ET
My mother's middle name was Baste.
Kathy C.
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Kathy C.
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Sewing and reading about sewing are daily pleasures.
I hope to use up lots of stash in 2023. I am also starting to give away fabric, tools, etc that I am not going to use in an attempt to downsize.
I hope to use up lots of stash in 2023. I am also starting to give away fabric, tools, etc that I am not going to use in an attempt to downsize.
Posted on: 2/17/21 11:35 AM ET
In reply to sewingonvintage
sewingonvintage, I was not familiar with WardrobebyMe patterns. Looking here on PR, I see that a couple of the patterns with the same convertible collar also have issues with the instructions. And let's face it, convertible collars are a pain under the best of circumstances, so it's really important that the instructions and markings are accurate. Welt pockets are another challenging detail -- not surprising that there are a lot of different methods using somewhat different pattern pieces. Courage! You can do this.
I do hope you'll go on to write a review that includes all the difficulties you've had. It's really the whole purpose of PR, isn't it, to review patterns. Even if you end up with the result you hoped for, it's so helpful to others as they try to decide which patterns to spend their precious time on.
I do hope you'll go on to write a review that includes all the difficulties you've had. It's really the whole purpose of PR, isn't it, to review patterns. Even if you end up with the result you hoped for, it's so helpful to others as they try to decide which patterns to spend their precious time on.
Posted on: 2/17/21 11:37 AM ET
In reply to LifeofJanine
I still baste my sleeves into armholes after decades of sewing. It actually is shorter because I don't have to fix errors!
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Absolutely loving my Janome 500e embroidery machine, very creative. Problem with all my stash for clothing!
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Absolutely loving my Janome 500e embroidery machine, very creative. Problem with all my stash for clothing!
Posted on: 2/17/21 11:47 AM ET
In reply to GretchenB
I agree and do the same. My phrase for this is “ slow is fast “.
Posted on: 2/17/21 11:55 AM ET
I hand-baste not just because it is helpful, but because I like doing it. 
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It's just fabric; we can out-think it.
Posted on: 2/17/21 12:36 PM ET
In reply to GretchenB
I think that lesson is really hard to learn. But super valuable. We (pointing at myself, here) rush too much! The goal is a nicely made garment - not completing it in X number of hours or minutes. 
Keep hammering this in, please!!

Keep hammering this in, please!!
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