Shopping?

Hi everyone, I know it's been a while............but I have been sewing..............just can't seem to get back into the photo and blogging mode.  I think I mentioned that before.........and I do hope it passes, but in the meantime.......

I've made 2 dresses from V1421.  I made a muslin to get the fit down and I'm happy with the results.  One is navy rayon/poly and the other is a maroon cotton/lycra jacquard.  I've worn the navy already and I can say it's a keeper.

I'm almost finished with this Vogue Ann Klein pattern.  While it calls for a woven fabric, I chose a RPL knit.  I also muslined this pattern to tweak the fit.  (I muslin most all the time now--just a quick and dirty, no frills muslin--it makes life and fitting so much easier!!)  To make fitting changes I utilize most of Peggy Sagers' methods (draping).  I've learned so much from her free web casts, and I do own several of her DVDs.

Since I used a knit, I have had to take deeper side seams and make a few more adjustments,  I chose not to line it so have to finish the neckline, armholes and then hem, and it's done.

So, the title of this post?  I took a few minutes out of a morning of running errands and stopped into a clothing store.  I picked up at least 7 items to try on.  I think 3 dresses and a few tops/blouses.  I had to laugh putting on each one.

One was a pretty good fit IF I had brought it home and taken in the side seam just under the armscye.  that would have meant taking apart the all-in-one facing and taking the dress as well as the facing in a bit.  PLUS it seemed a bit short waisted==not much I could do about that.

Another dress--the shoulders were too wide and hung off my shoulder point.  Didn't want to deal with that alteration either.  AND I've already forgotten what the issue was with the third one.

Same type issues with the tops/blouses.  I picked up all the same size, but, of course, the fits were so different.

SO, it was back to the sewing room.  I prefer to start at the beginning than alter.  Now some days I might be in a different mood, but that's where I was yesterday.

And so it goes.................