Sewing a muslin: my fast & easy way, even with adjustments!

[@audrey8530]

Muslins are really worth the small amount of time they take to make, especially when I am sewing a new style of garment or sewing for others. Great explanation and demo.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thank you! Totally agree. For more complicated bodices (like a collar) it also helps me understand what I'm doing before I actually am doing it on "real" fabric.

[@cat9lives999]

Beautiful nails!

[@emmadroste8493]

I've also found pin basting with safety pins it should be a good option so that you don't have to worry about being stabbed when you're trying your mock-up on😅

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Less Stabby McStabby for sure! 🤣

[@clovepod6496]

I’m chuffed to see that this aligns very well with my way of making muslins! Thank you for spreading the good knowledge in the sewing community, many times I’ve seen folks asking for fitting help with a muslin that’s not pressed and doesn’t have the seam allowances marked and folded in.

[@Puppy52]

So many good tips, esp with the quick zipper 😮❤

[@sandyp2485]

I am so glad that you mentioned the difference that an undergarment can make in the fit. Back when I was sewing wedding dresses, I always insisted that the bride wear the undergarments that she would be wearing on the big day. Of course, then I had to explain that when doing the fitting--especially the final fitting--I had to know that everything was ready to go before cutting into their precious fabric for the bridal gown. I also would make an inexpensive fashion fabric dress for the final fitting and offered that as gift to the bride; never had one turn that down either. I love the demonstration on how to move fullness in the armhole to a dart. I often have that problem and when there's no dart, things can get pretty wacky to get that settled. The pin baste method for the zipper is great. For me with a back zipper, it has to be basted in because no matter how I try, I always get stuck in the finger. Basting is quick though so it's not time lost to patching up a stabbed finger. LOL It's great to see that I'm not the only one who writes notes all over the patterns (well, the copy) because relying upon a separate list or a post-it note never works out the best. It saves so much time searching for old notes. I even pin notes to yardage bought with no immediate project so when sorting through my stash I know right away if the piece of goods will be the right length.

[@daxxydog5777]

I use old sheets for muslins! Cuts down on the costs even more. For knit "muslins", I got some janky yellow stretch fabric in a mystery box, and I use that, because Lord knows, if I made an actual garment out of it, monkeys would follow me home thinking I was a banana 😂

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Love that visual of the monkeys. 🤣 Great use of a fabric you don't like though!

[@dustygrrl]

Yay, you're back!

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

Such great ideas! I’m particularly impressed with the ruler in place to keep from pinning the front to the back!! So very simple (I’m now face palming)!

[@Elephanthobo]

wow i didn't even know it was called a muslin! i would always skip this step, and now it seems fun

[@tashacouldmakethat]

I mean I honestly find it kind of fun!! I love to tinker so it allows me to play with drafting and not make myself angry if I mess up my real fabric. 😊

[@noshrinkingviolet1]

Thank you for making this vlog 😊 it was brilliant! And very helpful ❤️

[@tashacouldmakethat]

I'm so glad!

[@89marjob]

I always make a muslin when I have a new pattern. Instead of using "throw-away" fabric, I find fabric remnants at my thrift store that are very inexpensive but would work as a "wearable muslin". For jackets or pants I buy remnants of upholstery fabric; for tops I buy remnants of quilting cotton fabrics. My experience with vintage patterns is that they are not drafted with the precision and standardization of most modern sewing pattens. Therefore, they invariably require extensive modifications to get a decent fit. Instead, I study vintage patterns for fashion inspiration, then I search for a modern pattern that is similar.

[@louiseoconnor8071]

Thank you for this run through, I’m at the stage where I’m confident enough to start to alter things to fit. This really helps me see the different ways to get to my shape.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're welcome! It opens up a whole new world when you start to alter things to suit your body/style/preferences. 😊

[@rebeccaw9656]

Some great tips! I have been avoiding back zips because I just don’t have the flexibility to do them up… but now I know to create a V to lower the top of the zip to where I can reach it! Thank you.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You're so welcome! Yes I love changing up necklines and I'm so glad I thought about making the back easier to unzip. A lovely deep scoop neck would give you the same lower/easier to reach zipper too. I have that on the bodice I've used for a couple of jumper dresses.

[@marathorne6821]

Super useful video! 🙏 I always make a muslin first, it's like testing a new recipe before you throw a dinner party... Worth the extra time and effort to avoid disaster. I was particularly interested in how you dealt with the armhole gaping. I've certainly had that issue come up in the past. Good luck with the final garment, I'll look forward to seeing that one at some future date 😊

[@tashacouldmakethat]

I love that analogy-- testing a recipe before throwing a dinner party. Totally like that!

[@raraavis7782]

Oh, looking forward to the animal print jumpsuit. That's totally my thing. I love making muslins, personally. They take so much of the stress and worry out of garment construction. And a truly well fitting final garment is so satisfying to wear!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

It really is, isn't it!!

[@lighthseskr]

Absolutely so grateful for this video. Yay! I learned so very much here. The only thing I would ask is maybe do a video on exactly how you on paper lower bust and waist darts. I am struggling. Thanks again and so glad to have found your channel, I really enjoy it.😊

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks! I’ll consider that for a future video. 😊

[@cathybeverage]

Although I do not garment sew, I do enjoy watching the process. I am a quilter and do enjoy piecing. One day maybe I will tackle garment . Would you show how to take a purchased garment that you really love and make a new one from that pattern.

[@luvshus]

This bodice would be gorgeous with a decorative zipper in the front or back. As is, could it be used as a waistcoat/vest? Great video and very helpful

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Thanks! :)

[@mikea75201]

I’m an archivist, so I got a chuckle out of your “no non archival tape”comment. What’s the best way to reduce gaping in a back shoulder scye? I made my first project recently, a linen waistcoat, and there’s too much gaping on the shoulder near the side.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

I've done it a couple of different ways. The first, is similar to how I did for the front, rotating out the extra volume to the waistline dart, but that only works if you actually have a waistline dart in the pattern. I've also actually lowered the back shoulder line (basically taking a wedge shape out of the shoulder, at the armscye side. I don't know if it's exactly a conventional adjustment but it's worked perfectly for me in the past a couple of times. Particularly on one pesky project where nothing I did to rotate the volume out helped with the gaping in my shoulder, until I tried that.

[@mikea75201]

@ I’ll give it go!

[@clarissaflowers6200]

Thank you for this extremely helpful and detailed tutorial! I am a beginner and I am trying to absorb as much information as I can before attempting my first muslin. I appreciate your time and skill in producing these wonderful demonstrations!

[@tashacouldmakethat]

So glad you found it helpful! I love that the muslin process helps work out things. It’s like a low stakes way of learning more about fitting and adjustments you may need or want for your own body. Which is super helpful particular when you’re a beginner too. It’s like unlocking new skills as you test things out. 😊

[@m.maclellan7147]

​@tashacouldmakethat also a beginner & also want to thank you ! I love how specific you are ! I have a LONG torso & small chest, so, helpful to hear your feedback in bust & torso "tweeking". The entire video was reassuring & helpful. Thank you !

[@tashacouldmakethat]

@@m.maclellan7147 You're very welcome! I love how even if we have very different bodices (short torso, large bust here), seeing people talk through sewing adjustments can be helpful to others. 😊😊

[@BritInvLvr]

Genius!

[@nadiasews]

That bodice turned out really nice on you! Muslins are worth it for sure, fabric is too expensive to waste. I have some fabric in my stash that when I got it I didnt like it at all, so I also use bad buys for muslins too.

[@debbiesnyder4778]

Great information. Thanks

[@tashacouldmakethat]

You’re welcome! ☺️

[@TomatoMakes]

Thinking about it, it makes sense that you would need to have a lower bust dart than the other dress pattern, because wearing it over a shirt would in essence raise your shoulder...

[@tashacouldmakethat]

Yeah that could have been the difference, you're right!

[@annettebroomhall8617]

Great video. Very informative. However, watching you use your rotary cutter scares me. Cut away from yourself at all times, please. Not only is if safer, but it does give better control.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

I have very good control over it, far better than if I cut away from me. I’ve used a rotary cutter for decades and know what works for me.

[@katl6426]

I've used them since they first came out decades ago, never cut myself & have even taught people over the years, including rotary safety. Three weeks ago I was cutting the last piece of a pattern & nearly left it as was tired, but decided to just finish it. Bad decision! I whizzed it straight across the side of my finger & was still finding dried blood several days after 😂 On the bright side, I avoided getting any on the material

[@tashacouldmakethat]

@@katl6426 Yeah I mean any time you're using a blade you have to be careful. That being said I am typically more likely to cut myself on weird things that are NOT blades, like a piece of random plastic or other un-sharp things. Don't ask me how. I don't know either. 🤷🏼‍♀😂