I realise that yesterday I committed the cardinal sin of blogging about my cat, with a photo. Isn’t that meant to be the worst thing you can do? There’s probably a tenth level of hell reserved just for that…

Since I won’t have much time to sew today I’m doing the next best thing, and trying to learn something. I want to attempt the top from the New Look pattern, but I am frightened. It’s a pattern. I’m scared of patterns. DK Sewing to the rescue!

Chapter two is all about patterns: how to use them, how to understand the back of the envelope, what pattern markings are for. This last one is a great help because I can understand straight lines (mostly) but I had no idea that a circle with a cross inside it marks the bust point or hipline. I’m such a newbie.

The next page is crucial. It’s all about taking accurate measurements of yourself. I’m loathe to do it because I’m not the slip of a girl I used to be but if I want my new top to fit properly, or at all, I’m going to have to do it. I spend so much time moaning in changing rooms about modern clothes making no allowance for busts that it seems ridiculous to just imagine my measurements. And yet I still don’t want to do it.


Pattern alterations make up a good bulk of the rest of the chapter. To be honest I’ve looked at the section on making bust alterations over and over and I’m not sure I understand why you would do any of them and what happens when you do except the last one, which is adjusting a curved seam for an increase. I suppose this is partly down to my own inexperience at dressmaking, and one day those illustrations will make sense. One day…

One thing the DK book doesn’t go into detail about is how to transfer the markings, so I found that article quite helpful. Armed with my new knowledge I’m going to take the plunge with the top. Luckily it only consists of two pieces – way to choose a first ‘proper’ project :)

My main inspiration for turning my hand to clothes for myself instead of items for other people was Stacy Sews who seems to be able to rustle up clothes so fast you never see her move. Great inspiration and a really good reviewer of patterns. Have a look if you don’t already know her.