Asymmetrical Zippered Jacket - Fashion Leaflet

It's finally done!  I know a lot of you were excited to hear that this new jacket design would be available to you.  It's one more unique design that you can draw from your SFD Dress Kit.  You can purchase this Fashion Leaflet from this page - Downloadable Fashion Leaflets.

Exposed zippers are ever so popular.  This jacket features a separating exposed zipper, a shoulder yoke that wraps from the front over the shoulder to the back, and of course, ever-flattering princess lines in both front and back.

The collar is super easy.  I used the Mandarin Collar pattern piece from the new SFD master pattern Collar Collection that is now found in the 5th edition Dress Kit.  If you don't already have the new Collar Collection, you can order it from this page - Collar Collection & 5 edition Dress Book.

 

I also used the basic Sleeve pattern (with elbow dart).  I wanted to keep this part simple, but if you were so inclined, you could always draw the 2-part, more tailored sleeve featured on pages 34 & 35 of the new 5th edition Dress Kit Instruction book.

 Wear open or closed.  It works either way.  Most of you already know I sewed this from a stretchy, squishy, sticky, spongy fabric...I wouldn't do that again.  It looks like leather but isn't.  Though in sewing, I needed to treat it like leather.  I got one chance to sew it right as the needle left holes in the fabric just like real leather.  This is a jacket I definitely recommend sewing a test mock-up of.

Remember I showed you this jacket on Imogen Lamport (Inside Out Style).  I don't know what fabric was used.  It's possible she didn't sew it.  But you can see that it's a style suitable for any season.

You can get your downloadable copy of this new jacket - Asymmetrical Zippered Jacket - on this page - Downloadable Fashion Leaflets.  $5.99.

Have fun...
Glenda...the Good Stitch!

 

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Princess Pretty - Part 2

Last week I began a review of designing and drawing the basic princess line.  The videos showed you how to draw this design line into either the shoulder seam line or the armscye - whichever your preference, they're both easy.

This week, I'd like to show you how easy it is to shape that princess seam and nip it in at your midriff and waistline.  It really is just a matter of stitching on either side of the waist-fitting dart, but for whatever reason, sometimes this is a difficult concept to grasp.

First, let's take a look at this photo.  You'll see the princess line bodice comes in fairly close to the mannequin's waist circumference.

Now, take a look at the short video on how to shape this seam to your midriff and waistline.

Next, I'll show you how to draw the princess line that comes from the armscye but it bisects the bust dart.  You actually end up with a short remainder of bust dart aiming to your apex.  Now, what's interesting about this design is that it really does nothing for waist shaping.  You'll see by the photos that the waist tends to stand away from the mannequin.  This is because that's the waist-fitting dart (space) and nothing has been done with it.  Yes, you can stitch this as a shaped dart.  It all depends on the finished look you'd like to have.

Here's the video explaining this process.

Now, last but certainly not least, is what to do with the back bodice and how to create the princess line back there.  Again, some get stumped when there isn't a bust fitting dart that is used for the princess line.  Basically, it's simply a matter of drawing the design line where you want it, slashing and spreading the pattern and adding seam allowances.  But you can slash down through the center of the back waist-fitting dart and then up to the shoulder or armscye.  And if you have a shoulder dart, then you'd cut on either side of the dart, which when your seam allowances are added, you incorporate the shoulder blade shaping.

I hope you can see the princess seams in the back of this blouse, it's kind of a busy fabric, but I love wearing it.

Here's the short video on designing the princess line in the bodice back, but you'll need to click on this link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EZGOT4tLtc
For whatever reason, Blogger isn't letting me actually find this video to paste in this blog.  Fortunately, it's easy enough for you to click on the link.  It's well worth watching if you've ever been a little shy of designing the princess line in the bodice back.

In addition to these videos, don't forget you can find the written general instructions for princess line designing on page 32 of the Dress Kit Instruction Book.

Don't be timid...have fun...and have a go!

Kindly,
Glenda...the Good Stitch!

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5th Edition Designs Come Alive

You all know that in early January 2014 we released the 5th edition Dress Kit Instruction book.  Two of the new designs offered in this edition were the funnel neck (featured on a jacket) and the high/low hemmed Swing Top.

 I'm always appreciative to see the results of my efforts.  And these are the first (I hope of many) photos that you will send to show off your work.

This first photo shows Gudrun (from Germany) in her funnel neck pull-over variation.  You'll notice she faced the neck and CF opening with a contrasting fabric.  Not only that, she combined the instructions for the empire design line which is one of the designing instructions featured in the designing book Beyond Bodice Basics.

Next, she's whipped up the high/low hemmed swing top, which she sewed from a stretchy jersey.

The sleeve design she chose to finish this top is the Flounce Sleeve from style #1, which is also featured in Beyond Bodice Basics.
Gudrun says it's still winter weather in Germany, but when the temperature is higher she says she will 'pull on the swing', but prior to that she'll be sewing a matching pair of SFD pants with narrow legs.  Needless to say, she thoroughly enjoys fitting, designing and sewing with Sure-Fit Designs.

Thank you so much for sharing your sewing projects with all of us.  You've done an excellent job.

And of course, I invite more of you to send finished garment photos.  Everybody always likes to see what other have designed and accomplished.
Kindly,
Glenda

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Whew...It's all done! Let's Sew (easy) Collars!

'What's all done?' you ask.  The last 3 months of 2013 producing the Master Pattern Collar Collection, the Fifth Edition Dress Kit Instruction book, and a web site face-lift kept me off the streets and out of trouble!

First - the Master Pattern Collar Collection has been added to the Dress Kit master patterns.  Now it's very simple to draw collars for your bodice neckline.  This Collar Collection is now part of the Fifth Edition Dress Kit.  Side 1 gives you the collar shapes.  Side 2 gives you detailed instruction on how to use and draw your personal shape.

 

I know you're going to love working with these collar patterns.

Here's a short video introducing the collection.  

After you've watched the video, I encourage you to comment, 'like' and/or subscribe to the surefitdesigns YouTube channel.  You'll receive immediate notification when a new video is published.  Also, please share this with your sewing buddies on your FaceBook page, sewing blog or forum.  One of my 2014 goals is to increase our SFD subscribers so I'm asking for your help to  'spread the word'.

Second - the Dress Kit Instruction book has been expanded from 48 to 52 pages.  The Fifth edition now has new designs and instructions for the set-in cap sleeve, the two-part sleeve (used primarily in tailored jackets), the funnel neckline design and a really pretty and comfortable high/low hemmed swing top...along with other instruction updates and clarifications.

To see a quick video explaining the Fifth Edition Dress Instruction book, watch below.  (Sorry...the video is not embedded in this blog.  For some strange reason this blogger software can't find the video, even though it is definitely on YouTube.  So the next best thing is to click on this link and watch it on the web page.  http://www.surefitdesigns.com/WhatsNew.html

If you would like to add either (or both) the Collar Collection or Fifth Edition Dress Kit Instruction book to your SFD kits and supplies, please just click here.  http://www.surefitdesigns.com/WhatsNew.html

Third - and last but not least, the main surefitdesigns.com website has undergone a face lift!  The Home Page has been totally transformed to make it easier for you to get to where you want to go.  Now you'll see descriptive icons to take you to their respective pages.  You'll see images like the following:

Fit & Sew Retreat

I hope you find it easier to select what you're looking for.  Once you've taken a browse around SureFitDesigns.com, I would appreciate your comments and feedback.  We want this to be a better experience for you in obtaining the information and getting to where you want to go quickly.  Everyone has opinions about what they like and don't like, so please leave a comment on this blog - or if you can't get the comment box to work - just sent me an email to info@surefitdesigns.com.   I seriously want your feedback - all kudos and constructive criticisms regarding the website are welcome.

Kindly,

Glenda

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