the draft aka another reason I will never have a career in math

For my Sew Along Project this week, I chose a simple skirt pattern that I figured would be doable in a week (I'm working with a toddler here) and that would enable me to increase the size without needing a degree from MIT. I hope to finish the skirt tonight and post about it tomorrow, but first things first. Like the #@$% math needed to draft a new pattern.

There was never a chance, even a slim one, that I would have a career involving advanced math skills, in any way shape or form. I've gotten this far in life, though, thinking that I had the basics down. Enough to maneuver me through the fabric aisles, at the very least. But I was humbled this week (humbled, I say!) by my very bad computations. Which I didn't figure out, of course, until I was assembling the skirt. (I would swear again here if I had the energy.)

My downfall was in the conversion of fractions to decimals. I can see that now, but at the time I was busily expanding the pattern by a fraction too big. Not that I knew this. It didn't help that Little Bear crawled on top of the table where I was drafting with a smile on her face that said I-know-I'm-not-supposed-to-do-this-but-look-how-cute-I-am. I ignored her, having bigger fish to fry, so she climbed on my back with her arms wrapped tight around my neck.

"Seven-eighths," I muttered, trying to ignore my dwindling air supply.

"Eight!" Little Bear cried. "Two! Theee! Mom! Dad!"

So my calculations, shaky to begin with, didn't stand a chance against a counting bear. Who also needed a snack, and a book read, and then a quick chase around the house with Marshmallow the Lion.

The only saving grace in this story is that I made a test run of the skirt in muslin. (Thank you, Grandma!) The sucker ended up being six inches too big around the waist. I discovered this around midnight, the perfect hour for the sewing fairies to swoop in and correct my mistake as I caught up on much needed beauty rest.

I'm still waiting for those danged fairies.

After a panicked telephone call to my mother, I think we have the problem solved. I'll know better tonight when I also tackle installing my first zipper and making my first waistband that doesn't involve elastic. Stay tuned tomorrow to see all the thrills and chills.

Comments

[Margo]

ha.
I never drafted a thing - I'm not that advanced yet. And I put in my first zipper with Rebecca on the phone, coaching me through (and through the next two as well). I kid you not.

[Amy O]

Rebecca - Im pleased to say that Im not alone, but Im so sorry that you had to go back that many times. Wow. I admire your perseverance!

[Rebecca]

One of my sewing projects from last year will live on in history as the dress that sent me back to the fabric store THREE times for more fabric.

[PartyMom]

At least your error was on the large side! I hate it when I make a mistake and end up wasting materials because I didn't get enough! I can't wait to see the results!

[Debi]

Oh! Little bear sounds so cute! Drafting is not my strong point either (neither is looking at pictures to see what is supposed to be attached to what!!) It will be worth it and I can't wait to see it!