Check your pattern before you start stitching. Photo: Getty Images
And now you're just itchin' to get stitchin'. But before you start feeding your sewing machine all your expensive fashion fabric, make sure the pattern's going to fit properly by making a quick test garment first.
I fought this step for years and made dozens of outfits without even considering creating a test garment, or muslin, as it's called.
But, alas, I've reformed! While pajamas or a simple silhouette may not be as risky to whip up, if you really want your designer pattern to turn into a quality garment that you can treasure forever, then you definitely want it to fit. And that means doing a test run!
While fashion designers traditionally use muslin cloth to make a muslin, you can make your pattern mock-up out of any inexpensive fabric.
You'll want to cut the pieces of your pattern out and stitch it together quickly, try it on (on a friend or on a dress form), then make adjustments that you'll transfer to your fashion fabric. It's a lot easier than making alterations after the fact.
Even if you don't get professionally precise about adjusting the pattern, one of the first things that a muslin can help you to see is how the pattern is sized. The amount of ease in a garment can have a great impact on how it fits. It could be just enough to persuade you to go to a different size, even if the measurements on the pattern envelope are close to yours.
There's nothing like a video to help you get started making a muslin, and these how-tos from BeSewStylish.com and Threadsmagazine.com takes you through the critical steps. If you really want to get serious about fit, this fitting DVD series is great.
Lots of sewing bloggers are posting their adventures in muslin-making, like these entries at Presser Foot, Aloha Vintage, and the BurdaStyle blog. And for more great tips on making a muslin seamlessly (pun intended), go to Sew, Mama, Sew!
Next week, learn about the latest and greatest in hi-tech sewing equipment.