Mirroring Suzy Bee Sews - Life So Strange It Should Be Fiction

I've been looking for a rash vest for summer for myself and haven't managed to find a decent one that fits so I was pretty happy when I saw this pattern. I like the fact that its got princess seams and the raglan sleeves are great way to colourblock. I did have some issues fitting it, I've always had trouble with raglan sleeves on me and finally worked out that it was from not enough sleeve cap length (thanks to some fitting posts by Mrs Mole). So even though it took 2 muslins, they were quick to whip up on the serger and I'm glad I know how to adjust it on future raglan tops. Final version: Sz L (I measure as the XL on the chart but wanted a closer fitting top) 1" FBA Added about 3" to the sleeve cap length in two separate areas - the top was rotated out to form a shoulder dart. Lowered the front neckline (this is a personal thing with me, I hate the feel of a high neckline) pinned out excess at the side bust/sleeve/waistline. Fabric ...

You may have seen a bit of a blogger buzz about a new website called The Curvy Sewing Collective. Its a new website ran by a great group of sewing bloggers with pattern reviews, fitting advice and general sewing and confidence advice, aimed at a plus size body shape. I've written a few posts for the site now, mostly focussing on fitting and sewing the Fehr Trade Duathlon leggings. Activewear 101: Patterns and Fabric Activewear 101: Leggings 1- Fitting Activewear 101: Leggings 2 - Pattern adjustments Activewear 101: Leggings 3 - Sewing The site is skewed towards more curvier sizes but I do think a fitting adjustment is the same no matter what your size. So please check it out and hopefully you might find some of the articles helpful next time you are doing a fitting.

My version: I reprinted out the pattern (properly this time!) and can now tell you that these are a sz XL with 2cm added to the inner leg seam and 2cm taken from the front side seams. I also took a wedge out of the side of these to get rid of some excess fabric that was pooling there and it also helped straighten up the legs. Not sure whats going on with my face in these, chalk it up to teenage daughter induced stress! Fabric is a black matt knit (same as last pair) and a digital print ponte from Spotlight. I changed the waistband on these to a folded over one, I personally find it a lot more comfortable than an elastic one. Ambers version: Hers are a sz S graded out to a M at the waist with 1.5cm added to the inner leg seam only at the top (like Sunni talks about here ). I lengthened these to a full length pair for her and basted them together for a fitting, she has extra width at the calf but are very close fitting at the ankle. The side seams do twist around a bit, next version ...

  It is incredibly frustrating looking for RTW plus size exercise gear. Its hard to find for starters, usually the tops are baggy and shapeless, the leggings all fit oddly and sit way too high up on my waist that's if I do actually find any that do fit....Enter the Duathlon shorts. This is my first fehr trade pattern and I've got to say I'm impressed. As drafted the waist is higher at the back than the front so for once I didn't need to add to it. Plus I am in love with the contrast side and built in pocket! I printed this out and somehow I ended up printing it out too big plus I used a beautifully stretchy fabric which meant I had to take the sides in by a total of 8" per leg and shorten the legs by 4"! Since I hadn't sewn Fehr Trade patterns before, I basted them first so it was pretty easy to unpick the side panel and take in the black fabric. I scooped out the crotch by about 1/2" front and back. Because it didn't print properly (which was my ...