Nobody Jones

Last year I got rid of my duct tape double, Betsey Brown. I thought my body was going to have major changes, but it's pretty much the same except for my waistline, which is a bit lot larger. I'm not regretting too much, I only used her as a hanger to help me pin things in place.

Now I'm using my original form I won on e.b.a.y a few years ago. A vintage "Adjust-O-Matic" model that cost abt $20-$30. Its totally made of well aged cardboardish material and held together by brass brads. I used it for a minute when I first got it then packed her up and stuck her behind some junk in storage.

Luckily she's still in good shape, so she will be my main sidekick for a while. She was neglected and forgotten for so long, but now she's gonna be a starruh! I've named her Nobody Jones.

hey, didn't you read the PR article about "styling" our project pics... 

at least I tried, lmao!!!!

The dress I'm wearing is Simplicity 2472 by Cynthia Rowley. I'll review later, but here are a coupla photos until then...

Listen to Nobody Jones by N'Dambi (look for black box on upper right)

Obsession progress

I started on the dressform/fitting shell last night project. I will try to remember to record each milestone. So far here is my progress...

I cut out the pattern pieces from the sheet, then cut each pattern piece from muslin. I duplicated all markings by tracing with a serrated tracing wheel and double sided tracing paper, then went over each marking with a sharpie.

The sharpie bled through the thin muslin (just a note for future reference), so I marked each individual piece over sheets of newspaper.

I thought about tissue fitting, but decided against it because I am a little heavy-handed clumsy and would rip the pattern to shreds before I got anything accomplished. I while ago I bought a 25-yd bolt of $o.99 muslin from Joann's at 50% off and it is perfect for this occasion.

The next step is to re-record my measurements & pin fit. I'm thinking that even if I can't make the form model me exactly, at least I will get a good lesson on how to fit, which will only benefit me.

Again, the pattern I am using is McCall's 2718 in size 14 by Palmer/Pletsch the Fit for Real People people and has great instructions, but just in case, I have additional resources gathered:

Fast fit by Sandra Betzina
Photocopied excerpts from The Perfect Fit
Fitting your figure by Threads


Other fitting shell/basic patterns patterns that would be good for a fancy cloth form.

1. Kwiksew 2554 has princess seams!
2. Kwiksew 2499 fitted vest
   
3. Vogue 1004
4. Butterick 5746
5. Don't forget to look for vintage!
   

Here is a skirt I made (again) a couple of weeks ago, I wore it Tuesday. McCalls 5530.

Meet Betsey Brown

Had a goooooood weekend. It was fun, relaxing & productive.

Friday night I made a duct tape double, with the help of little sis. The taping experience was not bad. I did the bottom half and my front by myself and while sis taped up my back & shoulders, I had a cheeseburger, french fries and sipped on water.

We ran out of tape, which may have caused the measurements to be a little off. But overall she represents me.

"Betsey Brown"
named after my english senior thesis from high school

She's made of black duct tape & stuffed with crumpled newspaper & plastic grocery bags stuffed with newspaper. She sits on a stand made from an old wooden curtain rod & metal pipe fittings screwed into some scrap wood.

She swivels!


Her measurements match mine except for the high bust measurement which is too large by half an inch and the hip measurement which is an inch too small. I'll get around to padding her butt. Batting is on sale at Joann's this week :) She's also a couple of inches taller than I am but that's cool, less bending for me :)

Saturday hubby did the grocery shopping (gasp & swoon!) and took me to see "Why Did I Get Married?" I thought he was trying to tell me something but it was a great movie. The script was awesome & hilarious except for one or two irrelevant but funny scenes. I'm gonna see it again with Mom next weekend.

Kiddo spent the night at her Grandmother's so I spent Sunday in my headphones with Alana Davis on repeat and sewed up a pair of Vogue 8427 for little sis.

This time I was more sensible about using my serger and took some hints from Just Pockets so I HAVE NO GAPING POCKETS!!!

(tips I used were interfacing the pants fronts at the edge where you join the pocket lining and top-stitching the pockets before I sew that pants side seams)

I actually made view B for her with the pleats and the cuffs. I did not care too much for the suspenders so I made the belt loops. I'm gonna make her one more pair and then one more pair for me w/o the pleated front. Pleated pants are not good for my thighs.

This time on the belt loops instead of tacking them down and looking all dorky like the instructions tell you too, I sewed a little triangle. it looks so much better to me.
(you might need to click the pic above to see it better)

We wear the same size except in length so I cant get a good pic until she tries them on. The cuffs turned out extra phat, but that's cool in case I need to let out some more length. (they are already a 35inch inseam!)

*sigh* time to get back to the regularly schedule weekly program.....