Friday, January 16, 2015

The First Fitting (Photostory)

When last we saw Lena and Dahlia, Dahlia had backed herself into babysitting while Lena worked on her designs.  Well it's about 4:30pm and Dahlia has returned with lil' Alan in tow.

Lena was able to get quite a bit done.

Poor Dahlia, she looks whipped.  

"You have impeccable timing.  I was just finishing up.  How was he?"  (Lena)

"For the most part he was good, but it's not that easy shopping with a baby.  I kept bumping into people with the stroller, and forget about trying anything on.  Those dressing rooms are not built for strollers."  (Dahlia)

"I guess I should have given you a heads up."  (Lena, secretly chuckling inside)

"It was nice having the time, but I missed my little man."  (Lena)

"Well he's all yours.  I've had my fill of babies today."  (Dahlia)
"Awww, come here.  Did you miss your mommy?"  (Lena)

Lena takes Alan and showers him with kisses.
"So did you get anything accomplished?"  (Dahlia)
"As a matter of fact, I did."  (Lena, taking a seat at the table) 

"Here try these on.  They are the pants muslin and I need to see how they fit, so I can make the adjustments."  (Lena) 

"Muslin?  What's that?"  (Dahlia)
 "It's just the outfit made from the slopers.  Once I make the adjustments here, I will transfer them to the slopers so I will be able to make perfect fitting patterns going forward."  (Lena)
"Is it okay if I change right here?"  (Dahlia)
"Sure, Alan's not coming home anytime soon."  (Lena)

Dahlia tries on the pants muslin.
"So how do they feel?"  (Lena)
"Feels okay to me."  (Dahlia)
"Come around here, so I can check the fit."  (Lena)

"Not bad.  I think I will take in these front darts a little more."  (Lena)

"Don't make them too tight."  (Dahlia)
"Hush and turn around.  I know what I'm doing."  (Lena)

"I'm going to have to move the back darts over a little bit and take them in.  (pause)  That's it.  You can change now."  (Lena)

"What's this?"  (Dahlia)
"Oh I decided to finally make that tshirt you wanted to go with the matching leggings we have.  It's my thank you for taking care of Alan for me."  (Lena)
"Oh sis, thank you, thank you.  This will be perfect and you know lime green is my favorite color.  Shoot, I wish I had my leggings here."  (Dahlia)
"You can try mine on.  They are hanging in my closet."  (Lena)
Dahlia doesn't waste any time running up stairs with the shirt in hand.  She returns shortly wearing her new shirt with Lena's pants.

"So do you like it?"  (Lena)
"Yes, of course I do.  You know I love to be seen, and lime green is the perfect color for that."  (Dahlia)
"Well I'm not quite finished with the shirt.  I still have to put the snaps on."  (Lena)
"No problem."  (Dahlia)

"Are you going to stay for dinner?  Alan's not coming back until later, and I wouldn't mind the company."  (Lena)
"I'd love to stay, but I can't.  I have a couple of dog walking jobs I have to get to within the next hour or so."  (Dahlia)
"Okay.  Call me if you change your mind."  (Lena)

So, I was quite excited with how the muslin turned out.  I do have to make a couple minor adjustments, but all in all the fit is pretty good, which means I drafted the slopers pretty accurately, 


20 comments:

  1. I so wish one of my Royal dolls could visit one of your very inviting scenes. :)

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    1. Duke of Swann - The feeling is mutual. A couple of my dolls would love to visit the Royals. They are quite fascinated with it all.

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  2. Yay for the sloper success! I stumbled on a site you might enjoy - Fashion Doll Stylist. After visiting that site I wanted to sew something ;-)

    Fun to see the sister's banter.

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    1. D7ana - I know. I sent you a thank you email about the site. It is a fabulous site for my sewing adventures. I'm surprised I hadn't run across it before, but I guess it wasn't time. Now is the time. Thanks again. I will probably feature her blog in the near future.

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  3. Dahlia's expression... it took me several minutes to stop laughing, as she looks soooooo frazzled when she comes back with the tot.

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    1. Smaller Places - She looks like she has had quite the time. Doesn't she? Poor thing.

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  4. Hello from Spain: I really like the baby seat in black color. Also the furniture is fabulous. I enjoy your creations. Keep in touch

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    1. Marta - Thanks. I wanted to add some red fabric to the baby seat, but haven't done it yet.

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  5. You did a great job on the muslins. Can't wait to see what you create. Dahlia cracked me up when she came in after a day with little Alan. She really did look quite frazzled! I think she will appreciate her sister's challenges a whole lot more now!

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    1. Phyllis - Thanks. You would think when babies are that little, taking them out would be a piece of cake. She will probably not be in a hurry to have any kids of her own.

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  6. Poor Dahlia, she does look frazzled. Maybe she'll go back to thinking she didn't get a good deal. But her t-shirt looks good and the pants will too, after those minor adjustments. Glad to see those patterns worked so well.

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    1. Carrickters - Lena made the adjustments and has made a pair of pants and a new top.....for herself. Lol. She better make something new for Dahlia before the next babysitting sessions. Bribery works wonder at times.

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  7. Shopping with a baby in tow is one of those things that can't be described- the person just has to experience it for him/herself. Poor Dahlia! The tee is cute and the pants are coming along nicely.

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    1. Jewell - Girl, I tried it once with my two year old niece (she's 21 now), and I looked like Dahlia when I returned. We both needed a nap when we returned.

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  8. Hi Vanessa! you are a pro! I'm following this story with trepidation!

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    1. billa's dolls - Thanks. That means a lot coming from a fabulous sewer such as yourself.

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  9. I still don't know what a sloper is even after reading it in context. 😳

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    1. Kenya - I read your other comment that says you now understand slopers. They are the basic pieces (without seam allowances) where all other pattern pieces are created.

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  10. Dahlia's pants are going to be nice. I kept cracking up about how pronounced Lena's rump looks I those pants. I'm thinking I'll be trying some action figure pants and/or letting the Prettie Girls live in spandex when I finally get around to changing their clothes.

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    Replies
    1. Janainah - Her rump is huge in those Sparkle Girlz sweats. I did make them a couple pair of pants and a skirt. The rump doesn't look so big, now.

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