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Saturday, October 29, 2016

What is it with patterns?

Today is the second day I've attempted to work out the instructions for the welt pocket on the trousers I'm making for George, and the second day I've decided they're not writing in English.
It doesn't help that the pattern piece tells you to cut out two pieces, but the list of pieces on the instructions say one piece.  I ended up hitting the internet, I've done double welts before but this was my first single.   It is a bit dodgy unfortunately, but that's just how it is.  The second one went about as well as the first one.  I won't post photos cos I'm not proud of it and I can't be bothered heading out and taking photos in low light of black on black pockets.
This is another in a long list of patterns with drafting issues, instruction issues and stupidity.

I have done better on the knitting though, my jersey is now up to the second sleeve
The body

and the first sleeve
And what it's sitting on in the second photo?  That's the warp on my loom which is all ready to go, well, as soon as I get the treadles tied up.  Like everything else on this loom when I sat down to put the existing cords in place I found there was a problem.  This time I couldn't get the cords through the holes in the lamms, which was odd as they've obviously been used before, but doesn't change the fact that it wasn't going to work.  So, pulled them all out, cut new ones from my lot of finer Texsolv and had enough, just!  Now to get it all on the loom.  I can't manage long under there atm since I pulled a side muscle shifting some full garden pots (yes, I know, I shouldn't have, but I'm stubborn and T wasn't home).  The pots are now where I want them and I hurt a bit, but not too badly.

Speaking of health, I'm back on the bike getting exercise as well and on Thursday I get my varicose veins in my left leg sorted.  I'm under instructions to let Ian's teacher know how it goes as she needs it done too.  Waiting to hear from health insurance that it's pre-approved, but it is on my policy as covered so that should be fine.
I'm seeing some results from the Myofacial Release Massage, pain still there, but things are "working better" which is good.  She's going to work on that again next time (a few hours before my surgery) and also on my neck and shoulders.  I've also spoken to a teacher of the Alexander Technique and will be doing that as soon as I can to get my posture sorted and stop my neck and shoulders from continuously getting sore.  Oh, and finally, I need a crown.  I went to a new dentist to investigate removal of my amalgam fillings and talked to him about one tooth that's getting a little ouchy on chewing, it's filled all through the centre and will likely break off at some point.  I'm getting it done before Christmas, got in just in time.

Monday, October 03, 2016

Tania Culottes Review

Ok, I chose this pattern since I had some rayon I wanted to sew up to get it out of the stash and culottes seemed like a good idea.  I love the look of them, but I had some issues with the pattern.

First up the instructions seem to be missing some important tips such as clipping curves on the crotch area, if you don't do this it will pucker, a lot!  Also no mention of finishing the raw edges on the back crotch seam, it's mentioned on the front crotch seam though which may be a trap for young players.

The drafting is a bit off too, normally the front is wider than the back so the side seams fall at the right place.  In this the front is narrower than the back and the waistband is too narrow by 1.5" in my size and too wide by 5/8" in the back.  Luckily I had enough fabric to re-cut the waistband, but for a new sewer this could be enough to stop them sewing again.

The zipper is an invisible one which is fine, but no mention made of pressing the zipper to make it easier to sew close to the coil and also no mention of using interfacing on the seam allowance to stabilize it.   The fabrics suggested are in general not particularly stable and tend to stretch and bubble if not interfaced.  I did this and it made a huge difference!

Finally no mention is made of hanging the finished item before hemming, the instructions simply say to do a narrow hem (broken down into steps) once the rest of the sewing is complete.  If you do this though you'll have a pair of culottes that have a hem you won't want anyone else to see, ever!  I hung mine for 2 days, my hem is now perfectly even thanks to my beloved husband, but I cut off between 1/4" and 2.5" to get it that way.

In conclusion it's a good looking pair of culottes, but the instructions could do with some serious work and the waistband at the very least needs re-drafting to actually fit the waist of the shorts.

Great for jumping on the tramp!
See, even hem!

and you can see how full they are here.  Excuse the wet hair.

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