Dec 21 2007
Skirt pattern frustration
I am having issues with the skirt I am trying to make for the holidays… trying is the key word here too. I was actually thinking about using the Amy Butler Barcelona skirt pattern but slightly modifying it so that it would look more like my original inspiration… Well let’s just say that isn’t happening! The pattern is the source of my frustration. I love Amy Butler’s fabrics & her sense of overall style, but I can’t stand her patterns. I feel like she designs & sews the item first and then decides as an after thought she should make a pattern to go with the item. I hope everyone who loves her patterns will forgive me for this rambling, since like I said I do still love her fabrics. Anyways, luckily I had made a muslin of the skirt before proceeding to actually use my good fabric so not all is lost. I guess though that really I am back to square one, which means I need to make my own pattern for the skirt (when I totally should be getting other stuff done, oh well!).
This is a short post with no photos, because even though I have taken a few photos lately all the photos I have taken have been of the cats. I guess that is what happens when it is cold outside and you haven’t accomplished much on the sewing front… Hopefully I will have a skirt to show soon, although I guess it will depend on how frustrated I get trying to make up my own pattern…
I’m in the same boat. I love Amy’s fabric, I love her style and I adore the pictures of her stuff in the books. When I go to follow her pattern, however, I use new and exciting words that I hope my daughter doesn’t hear, because what the hell? It usually goes something like this: “I do WHAT with…(re-read, re-read, re-read…) OK, well #$%^ %^&^%@*^ (&%#%#@)!! oh, hell, I’ll just do it my way.”
I thought I was just inept for not loving her patterns like everyone else seems to. Thanks for letting me know it’s not just me. I hope your skirt turns out beautifully, and is finished quickly. Good luck!
Oh no! I’ve never tried Amy’s patterns so I can’t give my opinion but now I’ll think twice before buying any of them. You’re a smart girl though and I know you’ll be able to figure it out.
Good luck!
good idea trying to use muslin the first time around…..you know, if you just wing it, a skirt should come together pretty easily. I hope it goes well.
So what’s with the “no pictures cause it’s only cats.”!!!!! Pounce and Axel are the second and third most adorable cats on the face of this giant fur ball. I protest! I want pictures of the cats. Now I’m going to explain at length how wrong this is…. oh wait a minute, I think I hear someone pouring food in my dish.
Later,
Patch (The most adorable cat on the planet and Pounce and Axel agree).
Sorry to hear that you are having problems- good idea though to try it in muslin first :-) Thanks for the heads-up on her patterns. If I buy a pattern of hers in the future, I’ll have to be in a very patient mood to use them!
I love the cat photos! bring them on!
Sorry to hear about the skirt but it’s impressive that you have the skill and know how to fix the problem.
can i tell you how relieved i am that i am not the only one who has a hard time with her patterns? i always feel like a sewing retard when using her stuff. love the fabrics too! i’m sending you good sewing vibes!
Hope the pattern eventually worked out for you. Merry Christmas :)
Oh sweetie! That stinks! I have the same issues with her patterns. I mean honestly I about had a cow last Christmas when I waa making the apron from her book for gifts. Finally I was like “What #*&% ever Amy! I dont’ understand why you have made this so hard I am doing it my way!!!!” You can do I know you can! Can you use the pattern you made for your Sew What! Skirt as a base & modify it for what you want? I will be thinking of you today & sending you some good sewing Karma thoughts!!!! ;)
I totally agree with your assessment of AB patterns. They can be completely counter-intuitive. It’s a beautiful skirt though and will probably be worth every second you spend on it!