Skip to main content

Ease Into It

Photo Credits: Vogue Sewing & Simplicity 8055
Hey Loves!

It’s Tip Tuesday, so let’s ease into this tip. LOL I can be so corny.  Anyway, this week’s tip is all about ease.  

Let me tell you a story.  This adventurous young lady once made herself a pencil skirt out of a non-stretch fabric. She looked at the finished measurements and made the size with finished measurements as close to her measurements as possible.  After spending much time matching patterns and sewing the skirt, she was proud of the finished product.  It looked great!  Well, looks were deceiving.  She tried it on.  It eased over her curves but she couldn’t move without feeling like all the stitches would pop.  Her walk was more like a penguin shuffle.  So, frustrating for a newbie!

Does that sound familiar?  It is all too familiar for me, because that lady was me.  I eventually learned what went wrong.  By matching my measurements to the finished measurements, I totally eliminated the ease.  Let’s talk a sec about ease.

What is ease?
There are two types of ease wearing ease and design ease.  
  • Wearing ease – Extra inches added for your need for comfort and mobility.  Wearing ease enables you to walk, sit, climb stairs, and even stretch without restraint.
  • Design ease – Extra fullness added by design to create the desired silhouette.
How do I determine my pattern’s ease?
Most patterns indicate the type of ease in the finished garment measurements section.  Take a look at the example above.  It includes both design and wearing ease totaling 5.5” (finished garment measurements minus body measurements).

Here’s a chart that shows standard wearing ease per my new favorite read, Vogue Sewing.
Body Part Standard Ease (inches)
Bust 2.5 – 3.5
Waist 1
Hips 2.5 – 2.75

Here’s a chart that shows standard design ease per Vogue Sewing.
Fit
Standard Ease (inches)
Closely fitted None
Fitted Little to none
Semi-fitted Up to 4 in the bust
Loosely fitted Up to 8
Very loosely fitted Over 8

I hope this helps you all as much as it helped me.  Needless to say, I won’t be doing the penguin shuffle ever again.

Whatever your aspirations are, OWN IT in 2017!

Until next time, smooches!

DJ


Comments

What's Hot Here?

Let's Mix It Up

Hey Loves! It's been a while! A long time! Life has been so busy. I always enjoy the challenge of making myself something a little different for an event. As I made plans to attend the UNCF Birmingham Mayor's Masked Ball, I decided I'd make my dress. It's a combination of a new pattern and a tried and true pattern. I think it turned out well.  I visited JoAnna's for a little inspiration because I didn't have time to wait for items to ship and Simplicity patterns were $0.99. I saw Mimi G's Simplicity 9370. The cut out spoke to me. I decided that the right fabric could make it dressy enough for the event. I found this beautiful fabric in the athletic section in JoAnn. I walked past it 3 times and kept coming back, so I bought it. It was also 20% off.  I made a muslin of S9370 and decided I didn't like the neckline for a formal. So, with very limited time (3 days before the event), I decided to try to incorporate the cut ...

Sew with Me: One Versatile Piece

Hey Loves! I'm real big on having pieces that cam be mixed and matched to create lots of different looks.  If I can visualize at least 4 outfits from a piece, it's in. This goes for pieces I buy and pieces I sew. I was so excited while shopping for fabric, to find a pattern that has so much potential. Funny thing is I wasn't even there for a pattern. I was looking for fabric, but couldn't resist a sale on Simplicity patterns.  (Don't judge me...I'm building my pattern collection.) I saw this pattern and saw a swim cover up, dress,  and shirt, all in one piece. I couldn't leave it.  It spoke to me and I had to bring her home with me. Fast forward a few weeks.  The hubby is invited to a luau for 4th of July.  I saw my new friend Simplicity 1100 paired with one of old friends from the fabric stash for a perfect fit for the luau. 3 hours of tracing, cutting, and sewing later, I finished this rocking versatile piece. Top: DIY Simplicity 1100, Shorts: DI...

NL 6519: I Knew It From the Start

Hey Loves! I'm back.  It's been a minute!  I've been busy! But, I took a quick break to make something for me. Top & Headband: By Me (New Look A6519; Cotton from Wal-Mart); Jeans: Target  (Similar); Shoes: JustFab  (Reeta) I saw the cutest yellow and black polka dot fabric in Wal-Mart on clearance (2 yards for $1.87).  When I saw it, I immediately thought about New Look A6519.  It's just one of those patterns I pick up often and put it back because the fabric isn't quite right.  Well, this was the one. I got home and printed one of the croquis from Golden Rippy .  I took a few minutes to sketch it out.  I enjoyed it so much! After sketching, I knew jeans would be perfect. Each time I try a new pattern, I have to read the directions thoroughly...usually 2 or 3 times before I start.  After reading the directions, I got to work.  The directions were so straight to the point and easy to follow.  I decided this pat...