Sewing for Mother

Readers, one of my ongoing goals is to make my mother a blouse.  I say ongoing because it's been on the back burner for months.

I picked up Simplicity 2339 a while ago, and today I finally got around to cutting (most of) it out and pin-fitting the primary pieces on my mother, who came over for lunch today.



Today's goal was just to see if this pattern could work for her and I believe it can.  I'm not sure it wouldn't be easier to just make her a bodice sloper from scratch, but since I already own the pattern, I figured I might as well give it a shot.



I cut a Size 14, B cup (14 is the largest size in the pattern I purchased though she's really closer to a 16).

Straight out of the envelope, the fit was best in back.  Despite my mother being considerably stooped, the yoke lay relatively flat.



The back also seemed the correct width, or close to it.  It's too long, my mother being about 5'2", so at least an inch needs to be folded out, maybe two.

 

As you might expect, there were more issues in front.  I think I can solve a few of them by adding 1-2" to the top shoulder (i.e. lengthen it).  That will lower both the front armhole and the side dart.





She also needs more width in front --  particularly from the breastbone down, maybe an inch.  Hard to tell since she has a sweater on and the front button placket isn't pinned securely. 



I think I have enough information to make a muslin and then we'll take it from there.  Considering she wears a 38B bra, the 14 isn't bad; she's petite after all and it's a fitted garment.  She wants a band collar and plain front placket (the pattern includes a ruffle option), so once we get the fit taken care of this shouldn't take long to put together.

Could this work?  I think so.  Whatever her fit issues, it's much easier for me to fit another person than oneself.  Cross your fingers!

In closing, are you familiar with Simplicity 2339?  My mother isn't the frilly type and it's hard to find patterns that would suit her.  Most of the tops I see in print are too busy or too exposed.  She prefers simple styles and classic lines.

If you have any pattern recommendations for a somewhat stooped, petite, octogenarian I'm open to them.

Have a great day, everybody!