Class · Reflection · Review

Wednesdays with Lynda: Fitting Standards

Amy

The next few months I’m sewing along with Lynda Maynard. A bunch of other talented seamsters and I have joined up to learn how to fit using Lynda Maynard’s Sew the Perfect Fit class on Craftsy. Here’s a reflection on my efforts to sew well.

WWL4

In this week’s lesson, Lynda walked us through how to think about the fit of our muslin.  She’d put the one she made on a test model who looked like a normal person who wouldn’t need much fitting.  But, you could tell that the garment just wasn’t quite right.  Lynda explained, in what I found to be a clear and easy to understand way, what changes could be made to improve the fit.  And, by fit, she really focused on comfort and wearability.  Even her normal looking fit model needed quite a few adjustments to get a well fitted garment.

Now, I’d planned to show you the muslin on me today.  It is pressed and ready to try on.  In fact, I did try it on, both last week and this week, and…  Well… I had to finally admit to myself just how much my body is changing right now.  The good news is that it’s changing because I’m pregnant.  The bad news is that it’s changing faster than I expected.  For some reason I imagined I’d have a couple more months before things started growing.  I remember friends of mine not showing until they were over half way through their first pregnancy!  This pregnancy is actually my third this year – the previous two ended in miscarriages – so I had also wondered if this one would even stick.  (And, it still might not, but it’s holding out for now.)  I wanted so desperately to take this class, and I thought I could squeeze it in.  I figured now was my last chance for awhile.  But, it seems I am already too late.  And, while I’m sad about the class, I’m also very, very happy to finally be pregnant enough that my body is having to change.  And, the very, very happy wins out, to be honest.

I’m meeting up with some of the lovely Seattle fitting enthusiasts that are also all taking this class this weekend.  I may try to go through the fitting process anyway even though the fitted muslin will likely not fit shortly thereafter, or I may write about my fitting partners’ experiences – if they’re willing, of course.  And, even if neither of those plans work out, I’ll still continue to review the class since it will always be beneficial to my sewing, even if my body might be changing too rapidly to be properly fit right now.

As a reminder, I received this class for free from Craftsy in return for an honest review. If you’re interested in taking this class yourself, follow this link for 40% off Lynda Maynard’s Sew the Perfect Fit.

Published by Amy

Amy started the blog Sew Well in 2011 to reflect on her journey to learn how to sew well. She is a scientist by training, and she also enjoys running and renovating her 100+ year old home with her husband and daughters in Seattle, WA.

68 thoughts on “Wednesdays with Lynda: Fitting Standards”

  2. Hi Amy,
    I’ve been reading your blog for some time now, and really enjoying it. Congratulations on your pregnancy, and hoping that it will be full term and healthy!! Don’t worry about the muslin — put it away for now, and enjoy this wonderful time when your body is changing. I am also taking the class, and fitting my 21 year old daughter in view C, the strapless version. Lynda is just wonderful and so helpful, and I’m learning tons! Perhaps you could fit one of your new friends in Seattle, and learn about fitting that way. Once the baby’s born, and your body is your own again, you can pull out the muslin and do the class!
    Margaret

    Reply

    1. Thank you! And, how fun to know you’re also taking the class. I definitely agree that Lynda is a great teacher and that I’m learning a lot. I’m thankful that the ladies of Seattle are letting me practice her lessons on them!

      Reply

  5. congratulations and best wishes for a healthy pregnancy! even though you wouldn’t end up with a muslin perfectly fitted to you, this might be a great chance to learn more about fitting by working with someone else on her muslin!

    Reply

  13. Congratulations! You can test things out on me 🙂 With my first pregnancy that held, my body changed so fast I felt like a freak. But I’m wasn’t, and you’re not. Enjoy the ride 🙂

    Reply

  14. What the what!! Did I miss this announcement?!

    Whatevs, CONGRATULATIONS, mama! Best of luck with everything, and don’t even feel bad about putting the muslin aside for now… muslins can wait. You gots a baby to make first 😉

    Reply

    1. Thanks! Nope, no announcement. I’m not big on being formal about things. Especially something like this after a few false starts. The muslin has definitely been put aside, but I’ve had fun fitting the ladies of Seattle instead. 🙂

      Reply

  18. Amy, I’ve been reading your sewing adventures for a while now (long-time listener, first-time caller) and just had to pause long enough to say congratulations on your pregnancy. I’m sorry for the losses you’ve experienced earlier this year, and I hope that, as you say, that this one will stick. As for sewing and fitting, what you learn now can be applied later, right? Even if the details (i.e., shape) changes. Again, congrats!

    Reply

    1. Thank you! So far so good with this little one, but you never do know. It’s always more fun to be optimistic though! And, thanks for commenting! It’s always great to say hello!

      Reply

  19. Congratulations!! And don’t worry about the class and your body changing this fast. I’m 3 months pregnant now and there is no way in hiding the bump anymore, bought this class about 3 months ago as well, so it’ll have to wait until the baby is born (along with a ton of other patterns I had just bought). Just be happy and enjoy being pregnant!!

    Reply

    1. Very cool! We’re likely close in progress then! How fun! I read that you bought all of Megan Nielsen’s maternity patterns. I’m excited to read what you think of them!

      Reply

  20. Congratulations Amy! I’ve never made a comment on your blog before but been reading it for quite some time. I hope you have a healthy pregnancy and a beautiful little baby 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thank you! So far the very, very happy is still very, very happy! (And a bit tired – I still haven’t figured out how to sleep comfortably. I can only imagine how much worse it’s going to get!!)

      Reply

    1. Thank you! I think ups and downs are par for the course for many people unfortunately, but here’s to hoping the third time is the charm!

      Reply

    1. Thank you! Hopefully I’m sewing for my future little one as well as you sew for your daughter! You make some knock out stuff!

      Reply
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