July 3, 2020

Happy 4th of July and again starting this month a new-product feature at a special discounted price.

This month it's about core patterns.  These are known as capsule pattern or TNT (tried 'n true), but basically this is a small collection of patterns that you have tweaked and you like them very well.  

So the question then comes up - how many times can I make a pattern before it's boring?

or

How many variations can I make on a pattern before people guess I'm using the same pattern?

or

Why can't I find anything to fit as well as that pattern that I like so well?  (One of my personal favs)

And the answer is from 1. Infinitely, 2. infinitely and 3. Why look when you already have one that fits. 

Here's what I mean....
I love the whole idea of this pattern:


It's got some really neat lines and believe it or not very flattering looks.  The sketches look great too.  I gravitate to that cause it tells me a lot about the seams.  HOWEVER, there's one big problem with this pattern, and it's hard to see unless you're looking for it. 

Notice how in the sketches, the shoulder hits on the shoulder?  Now notice in the model where the shoulder hits....yep, off-the-shoulder and you know how I feel about that.  I don't like it at all. 

So I started out with this pattern thinking I would make it up and see how it did and yes, in the pattern that shoulder comes completely off the shoulder.  Part of the problem is that the neckline is so big, you loose a lot of stability there with that large space that is not stayed and that will lead to some  drooping off the shoulder, but this is really egregious...it really sloops badly off the shoulder. 

If this were a woven, I would even think of doing this, but because it's a knit I'm think I have a little leeway.  So I pull the sleeve head up to where it's supposed to be and where it is in the drawing, and it looks better.  But dang, it was a lot of work!

But there's something else about this pattern, that again doesn't show up in the photo or the sketch and that is that it's very skimpy around the hip.  I carry most of my weight around my hip it didn't look so good.  Truth be told it was a failure and it's in the wadder pile (aka the trash).

The end result - I spent a lot of time and effort and busting a lot of little grey cells trying to figure this dang thing out and it ended up in the trash.  Don't ever let any pro tell you this doesn't happen - cause it does!

So when I thought of doing this again, I'm thinking I did NOT want to have to go through this again.  So I took out my core knit top pattern (I have one that is no-fail, drop-dead, go-to pattern that's gorgeous on me), and took out the photo of the front and back of this pattern that was like this:

OK so the truth is this looks a little more complicated than it really is, but there are some other things that I can do here that will be fun.  My core knit pattern has FBA's in it so that's easy to transfer, and basically I trace out a whole front piece and whole back piece and draw the lines where I want them and then it's simply a matter of tracing the pieces off, adding seam allowances and poof I'm done. 

Believe me this is a LOT simpler than having to readjust the armhole and sleeve head - even in knit and to readjust the bottom to accommodate my ever-expanding bottom. 

Oh yeah - and I also got to modify that neckline so that it's a little smaller and offers much more stability to that shoulder line and look what happens.  For one thing it hits on the shoulders!  Yeah!

If you look closely you can see the similarity to this and the pattern, however what I noticed more than anything else is that when I did my first fitting in it, it fit!!! 

And not only that but it was that great, same, flattering look that I love so much about my core knit pattern, and I got excited almost immediately.  This was a huge success, much better than the last try and I am crazy nuts about wearing this garment. 

Being crazy nuts about wearing a garment is what it's all about.  And getting there the easiest way possible is also what it's all about. 

Click here to go to the Core Pattern Resource in the library.
  
 

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July's Feature Resource

Core Patterns are a great way to get to simplifying not only your sewing but also the selection process that you go through in selecting projects. 

I personally keep a list of visual ideas on Pinterest (which is so perfect for this) so that when I'm perusing the net, I simply add photos or pictures to my Pinterest page, and make a little note like "Neckline," "Lapel," "Scarf," and on like that to draw my attention to that part that I like.  Sometimes it's color or color combinations, sometimes it's a simple way that a collar rolls.   Sometimes it's the whole dang thing. 

Then when I get those, "I need a new red top," or "I don't have a good red top to go with all the red bottoms I have," or any other harebrained idea, I can simply check out my Pinterest page of ideas and boom I'm off and running.

Then there's finding the pattern, or even worse having to draft the whole thing up from scratch.  But lately I've been turning more and more to my core patterns and with a little manipulation of those patterns, I have a pattern that fits, that's flattering, that's comfy and that is fairly time-efficient to make up.  

These are all from my core knit pattern and don't include the other 4 solid colors (only one solid in this group).


Now how do you pick out a core pattern?  What makes a good core pattern?  What are some ideas for variations?  How do you avoid pitfalls in fabric selections for blocks or different sections on a core pattern? 

And this resource includes some special bonuses just during July at no extra charge - how to better choose fabrics for your patterns and how to better purchase online fabrics that will work with your projects, how to make your own croquis (there will be a test on pronunciation and it will go on your permanent record - OK only joking, but it's a cool tool), stretch fabric guide, with an extra as a preview for next month's featured resource.  

As usual this resource is 15% for the month of July - click here to see more. 
 

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