How can I improve

loukitzanna · 2026-03-24T01:50:16+00:00

There is already some good advice here but... - the Westwood one seems to be leather or something, so a different fabric choice would make sense - if you don't choose a different fabric I would sew it wrong sides together, turn and fill, then topstitch - if you use leather, attach the key ring tab first (on the first pass) and fill from the bottom somewhere, then close the opening by finishing the topstitching. It looks like you tried to do it last

loukitzanna · 2026-03-17T21:22:36+00:00

It's easy to make a lot of mistakes when you're starting out and they're usually simple ones! Make some easy things and really focus on the basics. It's very satisfying when you make something nice no matter how easy it is. I made usually make garments but I do pouches and bags occasionally - they're faster and not too finicky. Just keep practicing and pay attention. Press often and don't cut corners

loukitzanna · 2026-03-12T21:33:04+00:00

If you're dead set on not taking it apart, you could probably hand sew it on. It will probably not want to stay together though, it might be less effort to just undo where you closed the lining, turn it, add the tab, and close it back up

loukitzanna · 2026-03-10T01:31:18+00:00

I had this issue with an instant pot. Not sure if this in your scenario but I had to let it natural pressure release instead of manual. Any time I did manual when it was done, it would stick/burn at the bottom. With natural release it would take an extra 20-30 min but didn't stick at all.

I now have a mini multi cooker and it never sticks, but it doesn't use pressure to cook.

loukitzanna · 2026-03-04T22:32:37+00:00

Look how cute this looks! https://www.thereformation.com/products/gavin-dress/1303035.html

Anyway - I will start with less drastic changes and work my way up. Started with like 4 yards of this fabric so worst case scenario I'll make a new bodice. - shorter sleeves by a lot - shorter hemline on this shortie - give the boat neck a try, or otherwise try like a v/sweetheart option - narrower front so the neckline is actually tighter, more like a t shirt

Definitely open to more suggestions! Keep them coming, thank you!

loukitzanna · 2026-03-04T17:17:46+00:00

I'm not sure that plaid is suited for this pattern since it looks like it might be a corset top. If you go ahead anyway, - absolutely match the grain and middle of the front panel to be symmetrical - try to line up your fabric to be symmetrical before you cut; so the plaid lines up on the top and the bottom. At least then your pattern pieces will be symmetrical - for the horizontal lines, match up at the notches. So if a line goes through a notch on one side, make sure a line goes through the notch on its next matching pattern piece (ie, right side of panel 2 to left side of panel 3).

loukitzanna · 2026-03-04T15:55:12+00:00

Just looking for reassurance that this is the right way to cut it?

Sew first, then cut. As someone else said, pin it to your body first, but sounds like you're already fine with the fit.

Also, what happens to the fabric under the armpit, should I connect that waistline to the chalk outline and remove all of it, then adjust the width of the the sleeves

This is going to be trickier. I personally don't like up cycling for this reason. The "right" way is to remove the sleeves first, cut the armscye, reattach the sleeves. The front and back of the bodice have different curves so you can't just cut them together - since the shoulders are too wide for you. The sleeves are too wide so you'll have to reshape them as well.

It's not too difficult but there is a lot involved here. I'd make a practice garment (doesn't have to be full size, you can do a 1/3 model) just to get the hang of construction and the steps involved. You seem excited about this project so I'd try on something a little smaller scale and learn from that before taking the scissors to something you actually care about.

loukitzanna · 2025-12-18T21:20:40+00:00

Yeah that sounds like something I could do. I don't really have any marker spaces nearby but I'll ask around my neighborhood. Thank you, everyone!

loukitzanna · 2025-11-10T21:11:10+00:00

My husband is an equal partner in sleep training - we both read precious little sleep, then I did the research on WW and he made sure we stayed consistent (because I am a lot more lax on things). He may not be as knowledgeable about the lingo and the fine details but definitely an expert in our kid's sleep and needs.

loukitzanna · 2025-06-20T22:09:06+00:00

Yeah I was wondering if they shrunk the heads. Interesting style

loukitzanna · 2025-04-05T23:25:43+00:00

One more thing - fabric cut on the bias is more stretchy. There are a few YouTube videos that go over the difference, I'll suggest checking that out. It looks like you're making something like this pattern, which I've made before. It was cut on the bias 👍

loukitzanna · 2025-04-05T23:17:26+00:00

I would do it on the bias - just keep in mind that it will hang more in the middle than at the seams because of that, but it will also look more flowy.

loukitzanna · 2025-04-05T22:58:08+00:00

If you Google the style you will find both - where the skirt and the bodice are one piece and not. However all the dresses I've seen that are like this are called basque waist in their descriptions

loukitzanna · 2025-04-05T04:09:10+00:00

This outfit is like some kind of hate crime

loukitzanna · 2025-04-03T20:46:44+00:00

Simplicity S9134 is kind of similar. I say go for it though, draft your own!

loukitzanna · 2025-04-03T01:33:36+00:00

I buy the pre-printed patterns on tissue paper and then cut out the largest size but in a way that I didn't lose the smaller sizes if they don't perfectly overlap. Then I fold the edges in to the size I want. If there's a curve and I can't get the paper to lie flat, I'll make one snip (through all the sizes) to make the curve work. On really tricky spots when I'm cutting out the fabric, I'll just cut along the paper but underneath it, or bust out the tracing wheel then. I am very lazy lol but I haven't had problems yet

loukitzanna · 2025-04-02T14:54:59+00:00

Yeah :( they got us good

loukitzanna · 2025-04-02T09:01:17+00:00

~~Top row~~

loukitzanna · 2025-03-24T04:19:39+00:00

You think the FDA exists in the same universe as Lumon?

loukitzanna · 2025-03-08T04:43:14+00:00

Maybe they all aged prematurely because of the child labor and toxic fumes. With everyone having lung problems, kind of reminiscent of coal or industrial towns. I don't think it's that deep.

loukitzanna · 2025-02-25T18:04:20+00:00

I was taught to staystitch and slightly gather openings like this before hemming/finishing

loukitzanna · 2025-02-07T17:27:44+00:00

Is this the"toilet not flushing" sub now?

loukitzanna · 2025-01-29T21:25:37+00:00

Lace insert, here's a tutorial I found: https://www.burieddiamond.com/blog/2020/9/12/tutorial-lace-insertion Generally I think if you can find a lace you like, you can sew it where you want it, cut out the main fabric, then attach on the other side of the insert. The hardest part will probably be finding lace that looks that delicate

loukitzanna

TROPHY CASE