It's not a secret - I don't like making muslins. I think they are a waste of time. Even after I made pants that fit as horribly as any pants have ever fit; pants that would have been saved if only I'd made a muslin first; I resisted making a muslin for BWOF 04-07-133. But, people whose sewing skills I admire and respect, advised me to make a muslin for this project. There are 18 little pintucks on the front. Each of the 18 pintucks had to be traced with a tracing wheel and carbon, then thread-traced so the lines would show on the front, then pressed to make a stable fold, and then stitched 1/8 inch from the fold. While making the muslin, I discovered thread tracing by machine wasn't the best option, so I thread-traced 18 pintucks on the actual garment by hand. That's a total of 36 little pintucks - 18 of which will never be seen because they are on the muslin. Just thinking about this ordeal makes me tired all over again. Whew.I've always known the advantages of making a muslin, but I never liked making them. Yet I'm glad I made this muslin. When I tried it on, I was so relieved that it fit. I had that sense of peace of mind when I started the actual dress so I didn't really mind making the pintucks 18 more times. (Well, maybe I minded just a little.) While I don't allow myself to get overly upset about wasting fabric on a failed project, if I'd had another fitting disaster with this dress, after all those time-consuming little pintucks, I may have lost my mind (up in here). So, I'm working to change my attitude about muslins. I won't lie and say I'm going to make a muslin for every project. But, if there is any doubt about the fit of the finished garment or if there is a potentially tricky design detail, I'll grit my teeth and just make the darn muslin.
It looks great! I don't love making muslins either, but I am so picky about fit, that I bite the bullet and do it when I am not sure. I am finally making progress on my coat for the Great Coat Sew along and I made 2 muslins for this coat and it fits beautifully. Worth it with so much work in a coat. If you've never done a technique before, just think of it as making samples, which I always do, even if I am not making a muslin. I think that you'll be so happy with this dress and the sewing will be that much easier, without fit issues showing up to hinder your sewing. Lots more fun sewing.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about muslins- it seems even when I get a muslin to work right, there is something lost in the fashion fabric translation :(
ReplyDeleteBut the last two muslins I did (my and dd's dresses) saved my butt because had I gone right to fabric both would have been about 4 inches small in the midsections :)
It's funny - cause I would have made a sample. The dress front or half the front and worked the pintucks especially since that seemed to be your area of concern...but I would watch it if I were you...it seems like you're slipping over to the dark side!!! *LOL*
ReplyDeleteI used to hate muslins too. But I've come to the conclusion that if I'm going to be happy with the finished product I should make a muslin. Especially if there are particular area's of concern. Since fitting is such an issue with me, it saves tears later and sometimes it gives you a chance to use up ugly fabric you may have purchased by mistake. So, I've become a convert.
ReplyDeleteI'm like E, muslins have saved my butt. They are an absolute must with DD because of the fussy factor. I tend to make them for me when I'm trying a new style that I haven't sewn before or my fabric is expensive. But I'm also super-fast with my muslins and I don't sweat the details.
ReplyDeleteYes, I hear you. I'm not always excited to make a muslin, but in the end I'm sure glad I did!
ReplyDeleteMuslins are a must for me. When I go to good fabric, I've never been sorry I made one.
ReplyDeleteGwen
One way I rationalize (is that the right thought?) making a muslin is that the when I make the "real" garment, it goes together in a snap. It does, and I'm always happy that I made one.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving it already! You might want to consider using a hera marker instead of thread tracing. It doesn't work on all fabrics, but it should work on your blouse fabric. I've been using the heck out of mine lately. Oh, and on a muslin, I just use marker. Who cares if it shows?
ReplyDeleteMaking a muslin is like exercise. You hate to do it but you feel better once it's done. I'm very glad you are happy that you made one.
ReplyDelete