|
Post by Ani-Chay Pinn on Oct 10, 2006 20:00:45 GMT -5
The top body of the kimono looks perfect. Of course the sleeve need to be longer (that's easy) and the lower body of it needs to flare out, or be a separate skirt, but otherwise looks good. Does the pattern include darts?
|
|
|
Post by Leda EmBorr on Oct 10, 2006 22:04:54 GMT -5
Slice and dice pattern! That's the best way to go for a Jedi tunic, to get exactly what you want. Also, get some cheap dollar fabric, and try cutting and pinning if you're not sure how the outcome will be. This way you won't make mistakes on your good fabric.
|
|
|
Post by Kryy Jacobi on Oct 12, 2006 0:04:31 GMT -5
No darts on the kimono -- it's pretty much all straight lines, so it would have some of the sleeve "issues" of #4450. Here's a scan I tried of the instructions page: The sleeves would definitely need to be changed, and I probably wouldn't do the four-piece front. They've got it styled so one can use different colors/patterns of fabric. (Although I thought I would do the matching purse -- can I do that instead of Jedi pouches??? Actually, I thought for my first try I'd probably go with the tried-and-true #5840, (since there have been so many helpful comments posted) along with the "slice and dice" circle skirt. (Or I might do the kimono -- it was intriguing for $1.99 -- hmmmm....) These are the two skirt patterns I picked up -- I haven't cut up or even opened them, but from the pictures and measurements it looks like #4236 is fuller and #5503 is "leaner". (I'd prefer "leaner" but of course, I'm a woman...) #4236 February edit: I like this pattern for a "fashion skirt" but the pieces don't lend themselves to a tunic -- it's cut on the bias in a way that's not adaptable.
#5503 February edit: This pattern is very adaptable for a tunic skirt -- use the symmetrical yoke.The #5503 has a couple of darts that could possibly be tied into that shoulder-pleat-at-the-waist. (Didn't we start there...?) And Leda, thanks for the idea about pinning. Yes, I have yaaarrrdds of the cheap stuff!!
|
|
|
Post by Kryy Jacobi on Jan 28, 2007 16:41:15 GMT -5
Update: I pulled out my tunic pattern pieces last night and started working with them again. Christmas is over, January bookkeeping is nearly over, I "finished" my saber (except for getting my home computer fixed so I can post updated pictures), and I'm ready to start again with the tunic. And now that I've been pinning and measuring, of course I have a new question for the expert seamstresses. How much "ease" do you recommend between my waist measurement and the waist measurement (seam) of the tunic? 2 inches or more or less?
I thought my "January" waist measurement would be good for finalizing the pattern b/c hopefully it will be a bit smaller the rest of the year, as it usually the case. But I don't want to make the darts or waist too tight on it now for movement with the saber. So I'd like to solicit your advice on how much "ease" to use! Thanks so much for the help. :-)
|
|
|
Post by Ani-Chay Pinn on Feb 1, 2007 19:43:05 GMT -5
I'm not quite sure what you're asking for. Do you mean how much larger should the waist of the tunic be than your actual waist? If that's it, then I would be very generous. The tunic is loose fitting and wrap around, so you'll need a lot of room for adjustment with the final tunic to see how it looks.
|
|
|
Post by Leda EmBorr on Feb 1, 2007 20:12:07 GMT -5
Leave plenty of room--- remember, your belt and obi will cinch any extra fabric during the "smaller" times of the year! I'd say go with the January measurement, taking into account the waist of the pants you'll be wearing, and the undertunic. Measure with the layers on.
|
|
|
Post by Kryy Jacobi on Feb 2, 2007 19:07:47 GMT -5
Ani, That's exactly what I'm asking! Based on both of your responses, maybe I should go 4-6 inches over the measurement of not just the waist, but over the "dressed" waist. Thanks for the feedback -- I'll play with it this weekend while I'm working on the pattern. Hmmmm.... if I'm going to learn saber dueling, maybe I should practice some of my fencing lunges and parries wearing the taped-up interfacing pattern to be sure I've allowed enough room. ;D And maybe I'd better pull the shades so the neighbors won't think I've lost it... P.S. I fence on Tuesdays and Thursdays and last night I dreamed about people in my club -- but instead of wearing the white jackets and masks, everyone was dressed in Jedi garb! No lightsabers, regular foil and epee and "traditional" fencing form, but everyone was dressed as a Jedi. I've been thinking about this tunic too much...
|
|
|
Post by Kryy Jacobi on Feb 4, 2007 15:33:31 GMT -5
Update: On another thread (re: Folkwear patterns) Master Kai shared the great idea of doing a pattern with interfacing, so I think I've finally "gotten over the hump"! WalMart didn't have anything that wasn't fusible, but I made an amazing discovery at JoAnn's. There is a Pellon -- 44" wide -- with a grid in one-inch squares. It sells for about $2/yard. I traced my size of the top, cutting 2 fronts and one back to make sort of a pattern/muslin (saved a step) then pinned in waist tucks, took the thing off, marked the tucks in place on the grid, pinned again, and tried on again. This afternoon, I'm going to work on the skirt part. (From different pattern -- a circle skirt.) The interfacing is great b/c: 1.) You can trace your exact size -- sometimes on these multi-size patterns, I've goofed and gone down the wrong cut line. 2.) You can pin, tweak, and alter -- it doesn't tear as tissue does. 3.) It's thick enough to write on with a sharpie but thin enough to see through to trace the original paper pattern. 4.) It doesn't crease as a paper pattern does, but you can iron it if necessary when used at a later date. (I do iron the paper patterns but they crinkle up pretty fast.) I think this interfacing idea has gotten me over the "hump" -- I was pretty stalled out on what to do with my pattern. For anyone else (especially women) "stalling" with fitting, darts, etc., I highly recommend trying this. Will keep you posted!
|
|
|
Post by Leda EmBorr on Feb 4, 2007 19:10:22 GMT -5
Better too large than too small. You can always take it in around the waist.
|
|
|
Post by Kryy Jacobi on Feb 5, 2007 20:02:16 GMT -5
Agreed 100%!!!
|
|