Barbie's Muslin

 Barbie's Muslin

At St. Andrew's Junior High School, the two grade 8 home economics teachers specialized.  One taught cooking, the other sewing.  At the beginning of the session, the students were sent to buy a pattern, fabric, zipper and thread.  The first class, we pinned the paper pattern together.   Our teacher expected us to take off our dresses, don the pinned pattern over our slips and take turns going into the class powder room.  There she'd adjust the fit of the pattern including the depth and angle of the bust darts.

I am a prude and this was far beyond my comfort zone so I eluded her and made my jumper without adjustments.  Shame, I might have learned something.  For years now I have made clothes and often been disappointed when they don't look right on me despite my best efforts.

But last month I took a course in pattern drafting and made a muslin that fits perfectly.  You know the rule about new skills; watch it, do it,  teach it. I put my skills to good use and taught Barbie.  This is what she made.