Reviving PMB here

I've begun monitoring the Wildginger Forum and the yahoo PMB Group after many months. I wanted to perfect, if I could, my PMB tops. I hadn't used my Version 3 in I couldn't tell you when. I really hadn't had (and/or taken) the time to use Version 3. I used Version 2 for several garments, but I was still having trouble getting "enough driving room in the bodice" and getting the "gapless" neckline. The slopers I had done actually came out OK, but those are tight and the jewel neck does not gap.

Today, I remeasured myself, entered the measurements, and printed out a classic blouse. Yes I skipped the sloper because of the above statement about my previous sloper.

I then took out my Pattern Maker (PM) blouse pattern that I really liked the fit and began to compare the two. Hmm. Among several differences, PM's pattern had a bigger and lower armhole. Also, the back pattern piece was wider than the PMB pattern piece, and the front of the PM pattern piece was a bit narrower. Now to go about using the PMB tools to see if I can duplicate (or get closer) the PMB pattern.

On my 5th try, I got pretty darn close! In PMB, I moved the side arm -1, lowered the armhole depth 1", gave a few clicks to the back armhole (I don't have the design sheet in front of me) to widen the back a bit, and flattened the sleeve cap .25. I sewed a quick muslin and it looks pretty good--long sleeves feel too tight, but I think ease can take care of that. While it still needs some tweeking, I'm hopeful that I can use these changes to begin using PMB and get favorable, wearable tops and sheaths. (Pants may come later/maybe not as I have some pretty good pant patterns right now.)

Then I got to thinking (I had a college professor once that used the following quote that I will NEVER forget--"Thinking is the hardest work. That's the reason there's so little of it done." ). Hmm. If I get this "together" how can I use it to help me (really successfully) help me modify existing patterns?

Then I remembered (because I saw it yesterday when I was tearing out articles of Sew News and filing them away) I had printed out this Threads article. I read and reread, studied the "pictures" and finally, (I think) got my brain wrapped around how to do it. I think I'll try it--just don't know just yet when, but in the next day or so.

So, right now, I'm on a mission to be able to use PMB to make comfortable, well fitting tops at least and then really test this "using your sloper" thing to fit existing patterns. I wonder how long this phase/mission will last before I get sidetracked? It's that SADD (sewing ADD) thing with me.