Pattern Fitting With Confidence by Nancy Zieman. Krause Publications (July 21, 2008).
With so many people getting back into sewing their own clothing – there is an increasing need for books like this. Buying a pattern is all very well – but what if your body does not fit the stock standard shape your hips are size 12 but your bust in size 14 – what do you do?
This book, with really good diagrams throughout, takes you through the steps of fitting patterns to suit your body. How to take accurate measurements is a really good start – choosing styles that suit your body type, how to read the pattern correctly, orientate and know where you have ‘ease’ and where you don’t.
Then onto adjusting the pattern – advice is given on making changes to all areas of the pattern – increasing/decreasing the bustline/hipline/waistline, adding in extra darts, changing the sleeve shape or fullness, fixing the shoulder to fit etc… (using a piven and slide technique to adjust patterns).
The book does go into quite a bit of detail – and I am sure will be an excellent resource when trying out new patterns or when making a pattern from existing clothing.
mixtape and Whipup‘s joint venture, we both share our ideas, cool links and general goings on. 
Issue 9 is being printed as I write this. I am expecting it in my hot little hands by the middle of next week. We did a press check this morning and I got to look around the printers building – fascinating stuff!
I popped into magnation in chapel st and they still have copies of Issue 8 should you be after one!
*The Emerging Writers Festival opens today.
* A copy of World Sweet World was sent my way, have you seen it? It comes out of NZ and is kind of like a readymade/craft eco happy DIY number. It is a husband and wife team. I will be subscribing.
* Got Gracia and Louise’s new zines also this week. SWEET and made with love.
* I’ve personally been doing a lot of hand stitching this week and I’d like to share one of my favourite quilters hands down Crazy Mom Quilts – her tutorials are so well written and easy to follow.
* I came across Fancy Tiger this week via Handmade Nation. Looks like my kind of shop.
Now that brings me to the question for the week!
What is your favourite fabric/craft shop and why? Every comment will go in the draw to win a copy of Issue 9, winner announced Monday May 25!
Come on, come on tell us!! Mine is amitie (surprise,surprise) and I adore purl soho.
* mixtape giveaway monday begins next week.
We will run a competition each week from Monday-Friday – winners notified on the Saturday of each week. Subscribe to our blog so you can be reminded :)
Katherine Marie shares her list of the 10 top art supplies she and her children could not live without. [image from Katherine Marie Photography] [via the crafty crow]
I would like to add to the list:
BIG drawing pads
Roll of seemingly never ending ikea drawing paper
A blackboard painted right onto the wall – with really nice colourful chalk to go with
A BIG roll of masking tape
A box of recycled cardboard – toilet rolls, cereal boxes, etc etc.
Water colour pencils and really nice water colour paper pad
Tell me your list…
Thank you Ina for alerting me to this smocked sundress pattern from Heather Ross at Martha Stewart.
Link.
The rules of the contest are quite easy – create an item using my Midwest Modern fabric. That’s it! Any sewing project of your choice. It could be one from my new EQ CD; one of my sewing patterns; one of your favorite sewing patterns; or an original project you’ve created – the possibilities are endless!Then you can email a picture of your project. The contest runs from June 1st through September 15th, so everyone has plenty of time to create. I will be adding a flickr page to my website where I will showcase all of your wonderful projects. I will choose the 10 winners in late September and each of you will receive a wonderful prize package of Midwest Modern fat quarters, a selection of my sewing patterns and a signed copy of my new Softwares from The Electric Quilt Company.
There is a downloadable PDF flyer on the NEW Button of my website for you with all of the contest details. Please share it with a friend! Email all questions to contestATamybutlerdesign.com. The gals in my studio will be glad to help you.
