Learning to sew: Do you think the altered muslin fits better? July 28, 2011 15:13 6 Comments

This picture isn't very crisp. Really. I do hope that you can tell — despite the fuzziness — if it fits better. Do I need to make more changes? I followed your generous advice and took up the shoulders and the sides.

I am still not happy with the back bodice. What to do?

I think it looks better from the side. Much.

So. What do you think? Tell me. Please.

Comments

Kay Y on May 20, 2015 12:28

The front looks much better, but the back still looks too big on you. You are standing very straight which means the fabric falls straight instead of having to go over a more curved back. Is that your normal posture? If so, try pinching out some width at the CB (waist to neckline). Start with .5" and see how it looks and feels. If it’s not your normal posture, we’d need another picture :D

ParisGrrl on May 20, 2015 12:28

Kay is right—the front’s looking much better, very Mad Men. Try her CB suggestion first, and then if that’s still not doing the trick, you may want to play around with adding some side back darts to mold the back closer to your frame. Just make sure you leave enough ease everywhere to move comfortably.

monkeysocks on May 20, 2015 12:28

It is much better, definitely at the front.
Its always hard to tell from photos, particularly as we cant see you move, but here are some thoughts.
The main area of excess bulk at the back is now in the mid back height area, you could try altering the curve of the back armpit bit a little to pull it in (making sure that it is still the same length as the front bit!) Alternatively, as the pattern seems to have darts at the base of the back, you could run these up a little higher to take out some of the slack higher up.
It’s hard to tell how much ease there is in the sleeves, you could try taking some off the sleeve’s outer side seam just on the back piece (as it looks like that seam is a little forward anyway) to try and flattern out of the back shoulder area. You will have to make sure you have enough left to move your arms but the lowish back neckline should help slightly with that.
Looking at it though, you may also be having difficulties with the length of the back, or your posture as stated above, if you took out some length with a horizontal double ended wedge from halfway up (just like a sway back adjustment but higher up), you could lose the outward curve that in the photos doesn’t match your shape.

WeLoveSewing on May 20, 2015 12:28

I agree that it looks much better. The back is still definitely too big for you and looks as if it needs tightening up in both length and width. The sleeves probably need to be tighter too. However if you run out of enough ease to be able to lift up your arms easily, you may want to consider adding gussets in the armpit. These will enable you to have the bodice fit you better without all the additional folds dolman sleeves always have. Wide necklines like this one often have the tendency to slip off the shoulder and I usually add bra holders on the shoulder seams so they can be anchored to my bra straps. This design will probably look better in a softer fabric too, as the one you are using seems quite crisp so will always show up all the folds and bubbles more than a suppler fabric would. Good luck!

Denise Calhoun on May 20, 2015 12:28

I was scared to change the sleeves, but I think I should take them in a little. And I completely forgot to make any changes to the back — even though I do have a narrow back.
Do y’all think I should make a Bust 34 next time?

lsaspacey on May 20, 2015 12:28

Some people (I’m one of them) need to use one size for the front and another for the back. I suggest you go down one or two sizes for the back. However, you have to make sure that all seamlines match those on the front bodice piece (side & shoulder seams, armhole back length) and the waistline on the skirt. Time to get the curved design ruler out.