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Member since 4/20/05
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Posted on: 11/6/06 11:49 AM ET
I just finished a blouse yesterday using a fabric I absolutely loved. But, it is so unflattering, I don't even want to post a picture and review it. I'm upset because I feel the fabric has been wasted. If I'd done a muslin first I would have seen how the blouse looked on my body before I used one of my favorite fabrics.

I read somewhere in PR about a sewer who buys muslin by the bolt with her 40% off JoAnn coupon. It seemed like a good idea to me when I read it. I just may start doing that. I'm sure I'd be less disappointed than I feel right now.


-- Edited on 11/6/06 11:50 AM --
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Member since 7/30/02
Posts: 8991
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Posted on: 11/6/06 12:01 PM ET
I did that - bought a bolt of muslin from Jo-Ann Fabrics. It's off grain!!!!!! I probably should have returned it, but I didn't. So when you buy it, you might want to check.

Perhaps if you post a picture, someone might have some suggestions on making it more flattering. Maybe some darts, added as design features, might give some shaping? Or some contrast fabric to change the shape of the sleeve?

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With a great wardrobe that's still in the flat-fabric stage.
  
Member since 3/28/04
Posts: 1666
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Posted on: 11/6/06 12:12 PM ET
I just deleted my message -- I read Ann's comment & realized I misunderstood something!


We've all had those frustrating times when it just doesn't work! I have started making muslins & it sure does help! However, I've found it doesn't always work to use actual muslin. It really has to be a fabric that has the same hand/weight as the fabric I want to use for the final garment. Otherwise I just don't get the same result

HTH, Pat
-- Edited on 11/6/06 12:21 PM --
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PVA (Pat)  "A girl can't have too many scissors!"
If I don't have time to do it right, when will I have time to do it over?
  
Member since 10/27/05
Posts: 5976
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Posted on: 11/6/06 12:35 PM ET
In reply to AnneM
I bought a bolt from JoAnn's several years ago and realized it was off-grain, too. How can you tell it's truly off grain until you actually cut it? If you tell me what to look for before purchasing, I'd love that. Thanks.
  
Member since 10/27/05
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Posted on: 11/6/06 12:37 PM ET
In reply to Elaray

Ah, so sorry you had this experience. What a bummer. Sure do hope there's some way you can salvage your blouse. 's
  
Member since 7/2/06
Posts: 342
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Posted on: 11/6/06 1:18 PM ET
In reply to Elaray
Elaray - This is happened to all of us at least once! It's all a learning process...

Muslins certainly helped my game, but as mentioned, if the muslin fabric is not similar to your fashion fabric, your final garment will have a different look than your muslin. I do use actual muslin fabric for testing patterns I want to make in a woven. I suggest hitting the thrift store, or the Joann clearance section for thicker fabrics, slinky fabrics, etc, that will mimic other types of fashion fabrics you may use.
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Member since 7/30/02
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Posted on: 11/6/06 1:27 PM ET
In reply to ccris
Quote: ccris
I bought a bolt from JoAnn's several years ago and realized it was off-grain, too. How can you tell it's truly off grain until you actually cut it? If you tell me what to look for before purchasing, I'd love that. Thanks.

I'm still working on that.

If you take the fabric & unroll a little bit. Line up the selvedge edge with a straight surface. Check if the end of the bolt (which should be straight, after all) is perpendicular.

If doing a "cut" of muslin, ask for it to be torn instead of cut. That will give you the straight edge to compare to the selvedge edge.


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With a great wardrobe that's still in the flat-fabric stage.
  
Member since 9/12/05
Posts: 1707
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Posted on: 11/6/06 1:28 PM ET
In reply to ccris
Here are two tips that I read somewhere awhile back and saved.

-Check the Grainline
Some fabrics that are off grain when put on the bolt cannot be returned to a straight grain. It is a good idea to check fabric for straightness before purchasing. While at the store, unroll about a yard from the bolt. Lay it out matching up the selvages to see if it lays straight and the crosswise thread lay at a right angle from the selvage edge.
***
-How to tell if fabric is on-grain.
. . . if the fabric is torn from the bolt, you
automatically know if the fabric is on-grain or not. You
will have exactly the same usable length on each selvage
edge, even though the ends do not line up.
(I'm thinking if this method works you could have them tear about a yard first, and if everything looks good, then you could feel confident about buying that whole bolt.)

BTW, does anyone know if either of these methods really work?
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“Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known.”
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Member since 9/12/05
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Posted on: 11/6/06 1:31 PM ET
In reply to AnneM
You were posting as I was writing. But already know all that stuff.
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“Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known.”
~Garrison Keillor~
  
Member since 1/26/03
Posts: 3678
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Posted on: 11/6/06 4:23 PM ET
I buy clearance fabric online or in stores. When you get it online it's hard to know what the drape and weight will be like but eventually it will be useful for something. You can also use fabric that wasn't what you expected from the picture and isn't worth sending back. I've gotten usable stuff for $1-$2. I'd rather buy a bolt of cheap cotton-poly than muslin, which is too flimsy.

When you buy in person just go by feel, ignore how it looks. If it has a nasty print that might be so different from your intended fabric and will throw off the effect you can turn it inside out or even bleach some color out.


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Buy the best and you only cry once.

  
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