I am by no means an expert sewer, in fact I basically just started about 2-3 yrs. ago, sewing simple blouses and elastic waist pants. (I have yet to sew a zipper)Anyway, I found this Butterick pattern #B4470 which I think is so pretty because one of the styles is for a skirt with godets. I would love to make it, but since it's got a zipper, I'm almost afraid to cut into the fabric. There are so many beautiful silky fabrics that would look great in that. I too am a plus size. And it's not a 'right now' thing, have been almost forever, LOL!
Yaya

Thanks,

I'll check out that pattern. Don't know if it would be suitable for the linen, but I'll just bet I do have the right fabric for it somewhere in my stash, which seems to be ever growing. LOL

BTW, I had lost some weight but have put it back on. That's why I say "right now". But not to worry, we 'is' real women.

And I say, 'real' women unite and complain about all of those ugly readymade clothes on the racks today. What dismal, horrible colors and matronly styles they think they can push off on us. Let's just keep sewing and wearing pretty clothes, no matter what!!

Nanna

Nannapoo, if you look at the "Threads" issue #117, they have a skirt with what they call 'inverted box pleat', and it looks like some of those panels are made in a linen like fabric. It's kinda like a godet style, but not quite. They're pleats, actually. Probably a style for a y0ung woman, I know I couldn't wear that. But it is very pretty.

Nana - what a great bargain! You're outfit sounds beautiful. We used to have a store here called Mae's and you could get unfinished sheets for next to nothing. Usually they had somehow been cut apart and sewn back together with a huge ugly darning stitch. But....you can make a whole closet full of clothes out of a king size sheet, even when you have to cut around something like that!

Yaya - don't be afraid of zippers! They're not hard at all. The zipper package and the pattern instructions should both be pretty clear. Try buying a couple of inexpensive zippers and install them in some scrap fabrics for practice. You can do it!

Hey, now there's an idea I hadn't thought of, Msmeow. Thanks, I think I will do that. That way I'll at least have an idea of the placement of the needle and presser foot in relation to the zipper. I've got some I bought for 25cents, it will be just right for practice.

Nannapoo, I too think the fabric sounds really beautiful. Hope you can post a pic of it or your finished project.
Yaya

I am so in love with fabric bargains that I will never sew all mine up & I continue to buy more. My daughter will inherit fabric not money!!

Nannapoo, have you tried a bias skirt? They are forgiving of a few extra pounds & hang so nice & feminine feeling.

Sandra Betzina's skirt pattern for Vogue ( A-line with panels) is very flattering and goes together like a dream - check it out!

Is that Vogue V7802? It is a really nice pattern. Probably not hard to make either. Except for the zipper in my case. I like it!
Yaya

Easy to make and she has clear directions....

Thanks for all the suggestions ladies. I have a couple of Sandra Betzina patterns, might even have the one you are referring too. I have a few boxes of patterns to look through to find it.

A flowing, bias skirt sounds so feminine and comfortable. I like buttons down the front though and I might be able to redesign the front of the skirt.

Yaya, I have a digital camera. Will have to get it out and read up on how to download any pics here. You get out those zippers and it won't be long before you are putting them in like a pro.

Thanks again
All the best,
Nanna

I agree - get started on some zippers. If you put them into scraps you can practice different ways of doing it, and it's not even that much bother unpicking to reuse them, zipper tape is very robust and can take a lot of stitching.

There is a tutorial on zips at the Threads website you should have a look at.

Also, until recently I was afraid to have a go at invisible zippers, they are really not that hard at all, (baste first, and sew really close to the teeth are my best tips) and they look so nice!

Go for it kid! (what my tailoring tutor at college always says to me when I'm doubting my next step!)

AJ

PS Very keen to see pictures of the linen outfit - sounds class!

Here is a link that might be useful: Threads - zippers

Thanks for that link AJ. I'm saving it for future reference!
Yaya

Instead of just sewing your zippers onto scraps for practice,why not just make a make up bag for yourself and or a dd or gd or someone.That way you get to practice,but also end up with a pretty make up bag.Just an idea.
Oh yeah and the directions on the zipper pkg makes it sooooooooo easy.just follow them,and you won't go wrong.Make sure to use your zipper foot also.

Joan sew 4 u, i hear you about the fabrics.My dh tells me i should open my own store.I have a double closet shelves through out that is filled,plus one of those pantry kind of cabinets from home depot,both stacked with fabric,and a couple boxes.I also have one of those pattern(simplicity) cabinets from the sewing store,bought it for 10.00 from a store going out of business.
I worked in a quilt store for 10 years and never came home with a paycheck.
Guess i better get busy huh??/
Kathi

Kathi MDG.
When I think about the quanity of fabric I have, I think about my father who died 1/94. I moved in 89 & he & my bro were helping. When he saw how much I had, he had some comment of disbelief. I said, "But Daddy, I only buy it when I feel bad". His reply "Well from the looks of this, you haven't felt good in a LONG time."

Anybody else use my excuse?

Joann,

Lord, that is so funny. Nothing like a little retail therapy to perk you up a bit.

I'm an emotional shopper, I buy when I'm bad, glad, mad and sad.

BUT I don't get my hair done or my nails done. I don't smoke or drink. We don't go out to the movies or to eat very often. LOL, gotta have some vices I suppose.

Nanna

I'm the same! I got really low a few weeks back and the only thing to cheer me up was a trip to the fabric shop (and when I arrived there was a 2 week extension on the Vogue half price pattern sale - that REALLY helped!).

When you actually start a project you usually find some sort of snag with it - harder than you thought, pattern doesn't fit and you have alter it, you mess something up, whatever! But fabric (and patterns before you open them) are so full of POSSIBILITIES :-) At the point of purchase you are Creative, Organised, Time Efficient, and soooo Well Dressed - in your head!

And the only thing better than buying fabric - buying fabric at a bargain price!

I guess we are all a bunch of hopeless cases!
AJ

Nanna,
Amen Sister!
"BUT I don't get my hair done or my nails done. I don't smoke or drink. We don't go out to the movies or to eat very often. LOL, gotta have some vices I suppose."

But I must admit the hubby and I do eat out entirely too much; but I do alot of other things to save money. My fabric shopping is emotional too. I think my hubby is afraid of what will happen when Mother (JoanSews) dies and leaves me her "fortune"! He'll be selling it on ebay!
Susan in Bama

Susan,

I don't have a daughter (only sons) to leave my fabric fortune to. When I die, think my husband would just trash it to get IT ALL out of his way. That would make more room for his "stuff".

If my sister is ever with me when I am fabric shopping she always says, "just think, someday we are going to be selling this for a dollar at a garage sale".

I heard a cute story about a lady who always tucked a piece of paper, with a cute joke written on it, inside the folds of each piece of fabric as she folded and put it away for "later"......thinking that someday someone else would get a good laugh. What a sense of humor!

It's too bad we can't rent a U HAUL and take it with us when we leave this earth.

When I think about entering a contest that is sewing related, I always ask the question, "the prize is not going to be more fabric, is it"? Would be just my luck I would win.

I belong to a quilting group that makes quilts for the needy. Guess they will get what my daughter-in-law doesn't want.

All the best,
Nanna

Joan,that's too funny!!!
My best friend and i have told our families that which ever of us dies first,the other gets to be the first one to go in the sewing room and take for free what ever they want,machines included.I have only 1 dd and she doesn't even sew on buttons.My oldest son knows how to sew but no time and my other 2 boys have no interest what so ever.
I've told my family that my quilt books are to go to the quilt guild or the library. I do need to check with the library though.What i have is so much newer and better than what they have.Their books are bordering on antique.
I jokingly told dh that he could save money,by having them line my casket with my cottons.Of course he didn't think that was funny.
Actually you all should all be proud of me,i've cut way back on my buying of fabric.The only thing i've got in the last year is fabric to make baby stuff for the new great gd,and i already sewed it all up and sent it to my gd. If i see something i like,i ask myself if i need it or want it.If it's want,then i pass.I also stay away from the stores.Self control is what i'm practicing these days.
Kathi

I like that idea of hiding notes or jokes within the folds.
I hope my son-in-law is here to put my stuff on E-bay when I am gone. He has gotten so excited about their new "Want it Now" listings that he may be in my stash anyday!

If any of you haven't visited the site, look. Susan has responded to some & got huge profits. He enjoys seeing the folks get in "bidding wars". Understand why I spend sleepless nights being concerned over my stash? I am less concerned that my stash will be sold for a dollar a piece at a yard sale though.