I learned how to sew when I was a freshman in high school. In those days, every girl took home economics and learned the basics of cooking and sewing. It was more economical to sew one's clothes in the 1970s than to purchase them ready-made, so it was essential that I master the art of sewing. Furthermore, clothing manufacturers had not yet begun to market clothing for any sizes but average; those of us who were tall and thin, or short and fat, were better off making our own clothing to fit our own bodies.
Over the years I've sewn many a garment for myself, a few for my children, and recently I've been sewing costumes for a local theater group. ( I posted about that some time ago, here.) In the recent past I've only made pajamas and a couple of loose-fitting kimono tops for myself, so my current project will require me to dust off some neglected skills.
First of all, I needed to solve the mystery of what size pattern I need. If I buy clothes in the store I usually get a size 12, but according to the information printed on the back of the pattern envelope I have a size 14 bust, a size 22 waist, and size 18 hips. Wow, that is so helpful, especially since the pattern accommodates sizes 6-14, or else 16-22 if I had bought the other size range, which I did not. Obviously, I no longer have what my uncle used to call a Coca Cola bottle shape, nor do I have an hourglass shape. I don't even have a pear shape! What is it, a pudding bag shape?! A potato sack?! It's a gramma shape, that's what it is.
So I decided to go with the size 14 cutting lines, and if it is too small I'll give it to one of my daughters!
I like to iron the pattern pieces before I lay them out, so they are nice and smooth. That may be weird; I'm not sure. Also, I prefer to iron the fabric as well, for the same reason.
Here are the pattern pieces all laid out and pinned in place. I have always been extremely fussy about making sure the grain lines are exactly even. It's my sewing quirk. Next comes the really scary part: cutting it out! I always panic a little just before I start cutting, even after all these years of sewing. "What if....."
Here are all the pieces cut out. I still need to cut three pieces from interfacing, of which I hope I have some on hand. But that will wait for tomorrow; I'm done for the day! Stay tuned for the next part of the process!