Sunday, July 27, 2008

Claire S. - The Neck Fits !

"this post has been draft since Thursday, waiting for pics" - here we go...

I just didn't quite 'get' the instruction to cut a strip of muslin 2 sizes smaller from the neck of the original pattern and sew it on the muslin. BUT, I read (and re-read) all my books, searched the Net, and re-read the books again for making a neckline smaller. I'm not sure I followed 'proper' sewing tecniques but the neckline now fits alot better.

Those 1" seam allowances came in handy. I had already done a round back adj. and the CB was sitting ok on my neck. The long seams where the lapels will go had the 1" seam allowance. What I did was mark 3/4" on each shoulder seam seam allowance closer to the neck and just drew a line from CB to that mark, decreasing the neck width, and tapering back down the lapel to the original marking at the bottom. The S.A. on the back neckline was a tad short but it was just enough to get this basting stitch in.

How did I do ? and am I now ready to try the sleeves again ?
I've also noticed that although the line I drew from my ear to shoulder on each side matches up with its seam and looks ok, I only moved the shoulder seam forward on the RIGHT side. The seam on the left side is the original one which seems to have moved into place after adjusting for the high round neck and adding shoulder pads - is it possible to only have to move 'one' shoulder ?


5 comments:

Mary OK said...

Claire, what a difference! The neck looks great. It looks like you are ready for the sleeves. Congratulations!

Claire S. said...

Thanks Mary, what a lot of work this is ! Along with all of you, my DH is keeping me at it with lots of encouragement.

I'm glad this one finally looks about right and it feels very comfortable, like everything is sitting right where it should.

Now, barring anything else to fix, I'm moving on to those pesky sleeves......

Gry said...

I am really impressed by your persistence, Mary. With all these alterations you have had to make, I think I would have been tempted to find another pattern or drop the coat altogether.

I just read this post http://www.mysecretpocket.com/2007/11/raising-armholes.html
about raising armholes at My secret pocket and remembered that you said that your armholes were very big. Perhaps you will find this useful.

Gry said...

Ah. Reading some of your other posts I realise you already have tried to raise the armholes. Good luck with the sleeves anyway.

Claire S. said...

Thanks Gry, When I tried to adjut the armhole earlier, I did find the instructions you've sent me...Now that everything else seems to have fallen into place, I'm going to try the sleeves again with the original armhole and start adjustments from scratch.

Persistance is a very tactful word ! Others may say 'stubborn' LOL - maybe because it's my first attempt, I don't really know at what point I should be throwing in the towel - so far, not yet. I really like this coat.