Doubts, Musings, and Moving Forward

So I didn't get much done yesterday either.

The full first muslin is made.  

I need to add an inch at the shoulders.  In the back I need that Inch all the way down and I might even need a little more room near the bottom.  So of course then I started second-guessing myself.  I know I am not really a 42. I wondered if perhaps I should try a 44.

But my issues aren't with the back.  

When I gained a lot of weight I bought and made a 46 and later decided that was a mistake.  I made a 44 last year and the muslin is still wadded up in my UFO pile where I left it in disgust.  If I make the 42 I have to increase the size of the back at the shoulders and on down.  I might need to add a little more width near the bottom to accommodate my lower half, but that is an easy adjustment.  The neckline on the 42 fits, which means less hassle with collar alterations.

Of course if I need an inch at the shoulders in the back I also need it in the front.  But I absolutely need no more fabric between those shoulders and the bust.  I made the 42 because the 42 is my size for the area of my upper chest, between the shoulders and the bust.  That is the most difficult area for me to fit.  It is easier to expand out to accommodate the bust and shoulders. 

I also need that FBA.  I did that yesterday, and it took me a little time just because I am not that experienced with FBAs and the raglan sleeve in this jacket is very deep, almost to the waist. Even so,  the FBA was fairly easy.  The problem was that I don't want a dart from the side right at the bust and I didn't know how to place the dart so that it would not ruin the lines of the jacket or make me look like Humpty Dumpty. 

My first attempt at moving the dart was a dismal failure.  It is distinctly possible that the glass of wine I drank before attempting the dart migration contributed to the resulting mess.   

So I quit and decided to knit and watch TV.  Sometimes taking a break is the best solution.

Before I took that break I thought my entire idea and inner vision of this jacket was a big mistake.  I realized however that I really just needed to think about what I really wanted.

I want to make the jacket out of this fabric.  I have "seen" this jacket in this fabric almost since the first moment I saw the pattern, although I have also wondered if I have lost my mind and if this is more fitting, tailoring, and matching than I am ready to deal with.

But when I put the fabric on Matilda, and looked at the pattern and my muslin again, I confirmed that I really do want to give it a try.  I may be crazy, it may not work, it may be a mistake, but I will never know unless I try.

I believe I was correct in thinking that I do not want a dart coming out of the raglan sleeve, nor do I want a dart coming up from the bottom of the jacket or angling up from the side. It occurred to me that I can bring the dart down from the neckline and hide it under the collar.  Doing that will also add a little fullness at the hem in front.  But I probably need a little extra room there as well.  I should be able to give this a try later today.  

First though, laundry and pulling out clothes and knitting projects for the trip to Knoxville.  Once everything is together and packed and ready I know that my time will be free for playing with patterns and muslins and dreams of red and white jackets.

 

Comments

[Liana]

This is the perfect fabric for this. I love your dart under the collar plan, and I will make a note of it as I'm planning on making this too.

[Bonnie]

That jacket will be delicious made from that fabric!! I can't wait to see it.