Happy Customer
20th March 2018
Eileen came to me with some basic sewing experience. Her problem was her arms! She has a fantastic figure but her upper arms are disproportionately larger and she could not buy any sleeved clothes unless they were made from stretch fabric.
First of all I showed her how to alter a commercial pattern – which worked well to a point, and she made a pretty shirt top. However, the best way was to teach her how to make a custom body ‘toile’ – a calico of her body shape which could then be used as a pattern.
We did this and then she made her first ‘little black dress’. A huge success, which drew many compliments. She then progressed to adapting the toile to make a stretch top with fluted sleeve ruffle, and now she is making a summer dress with three quarter sleeves.
There is nothing stopping her now and soon she will have a whole new wardrobe!
Eileen said:
“At long last I am wearing clothes that actually fit me perfectly, made by myself, thanks to Ellen”