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pdf patterns for the savvy seamstress

PATTERN HACK #1 – Miss Ruby Tuesday Top

  

This is the first in a series of Pattern Hacks for my new pattern – Miss Ruby Tuesday Dress – you’ll learn how to adapt your bodice to a Cross Over bodice.  

This feature is particularly good if you are breast feeding.  But it’s also a lovely feature to bring attention to the bodice area – if you have big boobs or small, it doesn’t matter.  It’s a beautiful feminine feature to add to your dress pattern.

The VERY first thing you need to do is to make sure you have done a Toile (mock up) of the MRT (Miss Ruby Tuesday) pattern to see that it fits perfectly on you.  This step is important because if your base pattern isn’t a good fit then the pattern hack won’t be either.  

A good place to start to get ideas for a particular style you’d like to create is to GOOGLE images.  For this particular lesson I googled – Cross Over Dresses – and I came up with this:

It’s amazing what you can find on Google. 

Today, I’m going to show you a T-Shirt pattern hack.  It’s going to be a versatile top pattern that in itself can then be hacked and turned into many different top styles.   You can make this into a cool summer top, a long sleeve winter top, and using Pattern Hack #1 you can turn it into a cross over top.

I have 2 more Miss Ruby Tuesday Pattern Hacks:

The possibilities are endless.  Is there nothing this pattern can’t do?

 
 
 
 
 

 Ok, now you get the idea of what’s possible I’ll show you how to turn the MRT pattern into a basic T-Shirt top.

First you’ll need your MRT pattern.

Step 1 –

Make sure you have tested the MRT pattern and the size you’ll be using is right for you.

Step 2 –

Transfer your bodice front pattern to paper and continue the CF line down by about 20″.

Step 3 –
For this tutorial I measured down 10″ from the waist for the length of my top.  You can make your top as long or short as you want.
Step 4 –
Now square a line out from the 10″ mark.  This will form the hem of the top.
Step 5 –
Measure your hip area of where the 10″ comes on your body.
Step 6 –
Divide that measurement by 4 and measure out on your pattern at the hemline and mark.
Step 7 –
Next, rule a straight line from the waist/side seam point down to the hem/side seam point.  This is the start of your new side seam.
Step 8 –
Measure out about 1/4 – 1/2″ at the waist and the hip and curve in your new side seam.  Also, mark up 1/4″ from the hem and curve in your new hemline.
 
Repeat Steps 2 – 8 for the back.
You now have the basic pattern that you can either sew up into a gorgeous sleeveless/sleeved top or you can start playing and changing it into many different tops – like the images show above.
  
If you’ve just stumbled onto my blog and want to know what the heck MRT (Miss Ruby Tuesday Dress) is, then click HERE.  And if you want to see what other talented ladies are doing with their MRT pattern then click HERE.

For other Pattern Hacks for the MRT dress – 

Pattern Hack #2
Pattern Hack #3

If you enjoyed this Pattern Hack tutorial or have other ideas for pattern hacks please let me know in the comments below.
 
Enjoy and Happy Sewing!
 
 

Sewing on Binding – Part 4

This next binding I’ll be showing you is not a decorative binding, it is more a functional binding.  It’s great if you don’t want to sew on a bulky facing on your armholes and sleeves.  It’s fast and easy and looks really great!


But if you do want it to look decorative just reverse my instructions.  So instead of sewing the binding onto the right side and turning over and finishing off on the wrong side you’d sew the binding onto the wrong side and turn it over and finish off on the right side.  Very versatile!

So let’s get started!

Cut your binding on the bias (the same way I demonstrated in Parts 1 & 2)  3.2cm /1 1/4″wide.

Fold bias binding in half and iron. 

Attach your binding to the right side of your garment and sew together .6cm/1/4″ stretching the binding ever so slightly.


Now clip into the seam about every cm/1/4″ depending on the curve of your seam.  Making sure you don’t cut the stitching.

Fold the bias binding over and top stitch on the binding.

Now fold the binding over to the wrong side and stitch down on the edge of the binding.

And that’s it, you’re done!
Another great way to finish off your armholes, pockets, necklines and even hems.

Next week I’ll be showing you how to attach a binding to a scalloped edge!












Tips and Tricks for a Better Sewing Project

Over the coming weeks I’ll be adding tips and tricks for you to learn how to sew and finish your project at lot easier and more professionally.
Some of the subjects I’ll be dealing with will be:
  • how to sew different seams
  • how to finish off seams if you don’t have an overlocker/serger
  • how to tie a foolproof beautiful looking bow
  • how sew in zips the easy way
  • and many more
Also I’ll be adding little sewing tutorials for you to play with and be creative.
So, if you have any sewing problems you’d like me to cover please put them in the comments below and I’ll get onto it.