Lessons learned

I'm not someone who spends a fortune on fabric no - wait. I suspect my budget of leisure spending is heavily sewing-related. Let me re-phrase that. I've never bought any fabric that cost more than about $8 a yard. And $8 is pricey. This makes me feel okay about sewing up muslins (tester garments from fabric as similar to the desired end product as possible), and general less trepidatious about the risk of a complete disaster/wadder. I've only had one "Nope, I will never wear this" wadder, and that was a muslin I made of McCalls 6802. I sewed it up in French terry that I'd tried-and failed- to dye from white to purple. I'd bought the lovely fabric in white dirt cheap, thinking "I'll dye it!" - for some reason, possibly related to how much I mixed, the destined-for-purple yardage was a blotchy mess, but the destined-for-pale blue came out beautifully. The pattern didn't work for me because the cut-on (are they dolman or Kimono?) sleeves made puddles of unsightly fabric under my arms, and made me look strangely bulky. The garment almost met a real need though: It's not longer cold enough for big pullover sweaters but I need another layer, perferably open for best temperature regulation, and a long cardigan made of light french terry is the nicest thing I can think of for weekend wear. And that's why the pale blue french terry what is on the cutting table today; destined for the ubiquitiously popular McCalls 6884. The pattern requires stable knits and if I can get View B to work in this french terry I'll be definitely cutting view D and possibly A in various colours of ponte for work wear. It's amazing how I've progressed in a year. I looked at the measurements for this pattern, read a few reviews, measured the pattern pieces then made a narrow shoulder adjustment and wide-bicep adjustment without any qualms. I when I think how long it took me to nerve myself up to an FBA, it's great that I am so much more confident about hacking into pattern pieces now. Pics to follow...