UPDATE 05.09.25
Sample Making Time!
If you are unfamiliar with the term sample then just think of prototype, basically an example of the product.
Call me the procrastination queen, I have been so hesitant to make these samples. I’m so afraid to mess up! The fabric I want to use is limited and not the most accessible. Since I’m making these samples for myself I want to use fabric that was woven on a hand loom in the Philippines. The thing about Philippine woven fabrics is that they usually aren’t as wide as the 45” or 60” width standards we’re used to. That also means individual pattern pieces shouldn't be wider than the fabric.
No worries though, I use a 3D fashion design software to do all the calculations that determine how much fabric you need to buy depending on how wide the fabric is. It also helps me determine the minimum width of a fabric depending on the size. All that info is included in the pattern guide and instructions! See I’m attentive to details!
COMING SOON!
Before I forget, the pattern tester program is about to launch (hopefully next week, if my ducks get in rows or something like that) & the first collection is displayed in the shop. The shop is in "Test Mode" so for now you can’t actually buy the patterns, but I figured y’all deserve a sneaky peak! The checkout process needed to be tested. Spoiler alert, it was tested & it worked!
SEWING TIME, finally
Now, we’re basically at the point where all the other critical tasks are done & making an actual sample is the most critical. I’m running out of distractions, so it’s time to put on my big girl panties and just get up and go, I mean SEW.
The first sample I’ll be working on is the Lin Woven T-Shirt, this pattern is named after my mom. She’s the most important woman in my life, she gave me life and she continues to be my #1 supporter. She deserves all the credit for all the parts of me that are good, she inspires me everyday and I hope I can always be a person she’s proud of. Hopefully she reads this and I can use it as my mother’s day card instead of making one… JUST KIDDING.
**adds "make mothers day cards" to task list
This process is mostly going to be documented through pictures since doing videos seems like too much for me right now. We’ll see. Keep reading to see how it’s going! Right after this I’m going to start sample making.
The Lin Woven T-Shirt
Not pictured is the fabric prep; overlocking the edges (so they don’t fray in the wash), washing, drying & pressing the fabric. Neither is the part where I had to rip seams to take apart my muslin sample then pressing those pieces flat. Maybe I’ll document that when I do the Gerarda Tunic tank - up next.
Laying out the fabric, pinning & cutting out the pattern pieces took about 15-20 min. I forgot to turn my time tracker on but according to my audiobook chapters that’s how long I estimate it took.
Now I have to decide how I want to finish my seams. Should I follow my own instructions or do some french seams?! I love a french seam, it just takes a lot more time. I know I should test out my own instructions but my instructions are for beginners and I’m like not that..😝😂
UGH FINE I'll follow my instructions. Then I'll probably add bias bound seams after...
Well as fun as this has been, it’s Friday evening and this is the first Friday in like 3 weeks where I haven’t been celebrating my birthday and have actually gotten quite a bit of work done, so I deserve a nice dinner. This wasn’t even the original journal entry I was going for. I did a whole other entry about launching pattern testing. I basically bundled my journal entry creation. So my pivot game is strong! Anyways time for dinner, Matt just asked if I’m ready…G2G! (that means "got to go" for all you non-millenials)
The Lin Woven T-Shirt chapter continues… most likely Monday, it’s Mothers Day weekend & I got some moms to celebrate! Happy Mothers Day to all you mamas! Thank you for doing everything, because even though society refuses to say it out loud, we all know you do everything.
til next time! 💛💚💙