Thin Line Between Love and Hate

Kwik Sew 3586, I love you. You've saved my butt when I needed a blouse.
Kwik Sew 3586, I hate you. If I have to make you one more time I will scream real loud.

Here's the thing. Sometimes when I buy fabric, I don't have a particular pattern in mind for the fabric. So, if I'm making a blouse or pants, I've gotten into the habit of buying 3 yard lengths of everything. Since I'm a plus size woman, that lazy little trick only works if the fabric is 55 inches or wider. Lately my brain has been on auto pilot and I forgot to consider the width when I bought fabric. I bought a few 3 yard cuts for blouses when the fabric was only 45" wide. Three yards of 45" fabric limit my options considerably, especially if I want to make a BWOF blouse with many pattern pieces. I bought 3 yards of this dark green print and it wasn't enough for the blouse I decided to make. Enter ol' reliable Kwik Sew 3586. If I were a snarky, whiney, middle school b!t¢#, Kwik Sew 3586 would be the loyal friend I talk about as soon as her back is turned. You know the one -- "Kwikie's okay, but she gets on my nerves!" I loved this pattern when I bought it, but I've made it three times in six months and now it's just boring.

Anyway, on to the review.


Blouse: Kwik Sew 3586
Pattern Description:
Long or short sleeved "oxford style" blouse.

Pattern Sizing:
Plus size 1x - 4x

Were the instructions easy to follow?
I love Kwik Sew because the instructions are simple and straightforward. Of course, by now I could make this blouse with my eyes closed. The first time I made this blouse, I almost missed the fact that the seam allowances are 1/4 " instead of the customary 5/8" Kwik Sew uses on wovens.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
This pattern has a back yoke and uses a technique I love. I first learned the "roll-the-back-and-fronts-up-into-the-yoke" technique many years ago by using a Kwik Sew pattern. At the time, I thought the technique was ingenious and I still love using it. I would recommend this pattern to anyone who may not know the technique.

Fabric Used:
Cotton from Vogue Fabrics by Mail.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Luckily, this blouse doesn't need any alterations or design changes.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
This has become my "go to" pattern when I need a quick blouse.

Conclusion:
More about the 3 yard lengths: I've been told pros always lay out and cut pattern pieces on a single layer. If I did that, I might have been able to squeeze-in pieces and make them fit on 3 yards of 45" fabric. But, it's more fun being snarky and whiney.


I have no ambivalence about the pants.

Pants: Burda 8283
Pattern Description:
Traditional fly front pants with hip yoke pockets.

Pattern Sizing:
European 36 - 50
US 10 - 24

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Rather than follow the instructions given for the fly front, I always use Sandra Betzina's method for installing a fly front zipper. In my opinion, this method yields a much better looking fly front.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The design of these pants is typically classic - just what I like.

Fabric Used:
Twill with lycra from Vogue Fabrics by Mail.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I extended the hip pocket piece so that it reaches the center front. I did this on the last pants I made and I will try to remember to do it on all the pants I make from now on. Somehow, the hip pocket piece never seems to reach the center front unless I extend it and I end up with the extension hanging loose inside the pants. I treated the pocket extension and the fly extension as one so the pocket extension gets sewn into the fly.

Conclusion:
Although I started this outfit in 2009, it's the first completed project of 2010. Since it has that distinction, I wish it weren't such a no-brainer. On the other hand, I have two more TNT patterns.