Measure Twice, Cut Once..or twice or more...

Have I mentioned that in capacity of superhero, I haven't exactly had to use math frequently to fight the bad guys and stand up for justice? Okay, I am mentioning this now because I am pretty sure I probably messed up on my Butterick top due to my lack of the math gene.  I haven't totally figured out where I went wrong (besides cutting the front half in half), but I came up short when I pinned the lace around the top edge.  The pattern advised I would need 1 3/8 yards of single edged lace trim.  I relied on the cutting lady at Joann's to supply me this amount.  I trust that she measured correctly.  I just cannot sort out where I went wrong to have this trim not fit all the way around the top.  If anyone has any ideas of what happened, please let me know.  I am going to try to contact someone at Butterick...is there a helpline there or "phone a friend?"  If I cannot reach anyone telephonically, I will have to take my pattern pieces, etc. to Joann's and request help from my sewing instructor.  Embarrassing!

If this debacle didn't quash my dream of quitting my day job for a new sewing career, my next project only added to my frustration.  Although I completed the iTouch case using the tutorial from  A Dog Named Banjo, it turned out too small for my iTouch.  I'm not sure why as I used the measurements indicated in the tutorial.  The upside is that my old iPod fits in my new case!  Have a look at the pictures.

New Case

iTouch Case iPod

Maybe I should re-read Sewing for Dummies??  Well, at least I can check this off my to-do list right?
Angela

Butterick Pattern Review

I hope everyone likes the new blog format and background.  I'm pretty pleased with the look and I love the vintage photo I found!  I have also added an "email me" button.  I must say I am pretty pleased with myself for figuring that one out!  I guess you could say I am becoming a real Blogger eh?  Please, please send comments or email me and give me some feedback!  I'm really not an expert and actually need all the help/input I can get!  Thanks!

Pattern Review:

I've decided that when I sew a project using a pattern, I will write/post a review on that pattern.  When I started sewing a few years ago, I found most patterns difficult to follow and understand.  Even the patterns described as "Very Easy" were definitely not tres facile for me!  To me, it seems, that most patterns are written for folks that know all the sewing verbiage, etc. and not for crafters like me.  So, I'd like to review the patterns I use and maybe "translate" them into directions that might be better understood.  Sidenote:  In my experience, Sewing For Dummies patterns are still difficult to follow.  Does that make me a dummy?  I don't think so.  I just think that they aren't written well.

 I will review the pattern I will use for my next sewing project, which will be the next halter in the stack of halter patterns I bought a few weeks ago.  I started with Butterick 4800, 6 Sew Easy.  I began with this pattern believing it would be the easiest.  The next top I'm going to sew (try) is Butterick 4685 Fast & Easy.  I'm going to need some notions for this top, including 1 1/4 yards of 1/4" elastic and 1 3/8 yards of 1 1/2" single-edged scalloped lace trim.  I will also need to decide what sort of fabric to use.  My options are lightweight broadcloth, lightweight linen or cotton knits.  I will need 1 7/8 yards of whatever fabric I choose.  Sew, what's next?  A trip to the fabric store!

Angela