This is today's work. Well I got it to this stage today. It's Butterick 5282 made up in a poly jersey - not as shiny as it looks in this photo. It isn't yet finished as I have to get a coral coloured invisible zip, so the back is still open. Then I have to do the hem. I will do the hem on a Janome Coverpro that I bought a couple of months ago, although I haven't had the time to get fully skilled with it. Wish me luck. The pattern states that there is no allowance for above waist alterations but I managed to do some by raising the shoulder seam. I cut 1cm off the underlining but 2cm off the drape. Seems to have worked out okay. Its been a bit of a headache really, as the fabric rolled dreadfully meaning that just lining up the seams for stitching took ages. I had estimated 8/10 hours for this dress, but I think it is going to be more like 15/20. The customer wanted a dress that she could just throw in the washing machine (I hope she is a little more careful than just throwing it in!). That's why I went for the poly. There is a slip through buckle on the front, fabric covered. I sent off some fabric to Harlequin - fabulous service! I send it last Tuesday and it was back by Friday morning. I really like this pattern. In fact, I have told my daughter that it will be the basis of her wedding dress. Top the same but with a bias cut skirt and puddle train. She said "yea sure mum. just need to find the right man".
A good customer called round yesterday with a pair of trousers she had bought at a local boutique. Nothing really that special - just a pair of tailored trousers. They were far too big and she asked me if I could alter them for her. She is a size 8 and she had bought a size 8. When I measured them, they were a size 12. Why do manufacturers do this? Well, I know really. Anyone who is a size 12 and gets into an 8 is likely to be as pleased as punch and buy them. Problem is it works the other way for her. The shop doesn't stock a 6 or 4, so she has to go without.
I explained to her that she would lose the side pockets if I altered them, or if we did it from the back seam (not appropriate in this case anyway) the horizontal pockets on the bum would be chevrons instead of straight. The trousers were £80. I told her I could make her a pair for less than that and off she went to get some fabric. I am going to do a pattern from January 2010's Burda, style 120. These start at a 10, but at least I can cut them own and manipulate the pockets to the right place.
One thing that has had be tearing my hair out today is a dress I am making for myself. Style 140 from the May 2010 Burda. I have a poly crepe which is lovely but I had a lot of problems with puckering of the seams. I sorted that, but the puckering at the zip is causing me problems. I have now decided that it is about the quality of the zip. I bought it locally and it isn't branded. I will try to get an Opti and YKK zip this week and hopefully that will sort things out. Will upload a pic when I finally finish it. Buying zips is always a problem for me - I'm quite fussy about them matching, even if they are concealed. I notice they have what I want on the Jaycotts site but I will phone them tomorrow to make sure they have them in stock and can send them straight away.
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