Sewing a muslin or test garment can seem like a waste of time, but really in the long run can save a lot of time!
For example, a couple weeks ago I sewed a dress for my daughter. I thought I knew what I was doing so I skipped the sewing a muslin thing.
Bad choice! The dress did not fit her at all. Like, truly did not fit! So I had to get creativity in high gear and make this thing work!
I managed! But the dress was barely done by the deadline!
I definitely should have sewn a muslin!
A muslin is really a test garment. Muslin is cheap fabric and is easy to purchase and use. I think that is the reason for a test garment being called a muslin.
Now of course if we are using patterns that require knit fabrics we can't use actual muslin fabric since it doesn't have stretch. However, if you are testing a pattern that requires woven fabric then muslin would work great!
Sewing a muslin is really important when trying out a new pattern. Because really how do we know the pattern is going to fit how we like just by going by the measurements on the pattern? Each pattern has a certain amount of ease, and we need to make sure it is going to be enough for how we like our clothes to fit and feel.
First choose fabric that is exactly what the pattern requires or exactly like the type of fabric you intend to use for the completed garment.
So if the pattern calls for knit fabric with a certain amount of stretch, make sure your test fabric is as close to that as possible.
If you have scraps lying around that are the right type go ahead and use them up! Mix and match colors and fabric patterns because it's just a test! 😉
Here is a muslin I just did. It really is made out of muslin! 😊
Cut out the most important pattern pieces first like the bodice and skirt pieces. Cut the skirts quite short if you want to save on fabric or don't have big enough scraps. The bust, waist and hips are the important places you want to make sure fit well. Shoulder width is important too plus sleeve width, so cutting out sleeves is a good idea.
Go ahead and use a long stitch for sewing the seams. Quality seams aren't important here. And yes you can even skip pressing the seams. A tailored look isn't what we are needing here either. 😉
Here is the inside of my muslin. If you look closely you can see some of the seam changes and pen markings of things I needed to change.
After making your test garment check all the important areas and see how they fit. Like I said before, important areas to check are bust, waist and hips. The shoulder width is also important and you'll want to make sure the skirt length is how you like it.
Now it's time to make adjustments to your pattern. Unless you are happy with the fit, in which case go ahead and cut out a "real" dress!
Make the neccessary adjustments to your pattern. If possible change the test garment or cut out new test pieces and sew together to make sure the adjustments you made are correct.
I traced the adjusted pattern onto fresh paper so that I had a nice pattern to work with.
Once you are happy with the fit you can happily cut out your "real" garment and sew it up!
Sewing a muslin seems like a waste of time, but really wouldn't you rather waste time than fabric? Sewing a dress only to find it doesn't fit, and can't be made to fit, is a waste of good fabric. And I have done that way too many times! 🤦♀️
Try sewing a muslin next time you try out a new pattern. See if it doesn't make a difference in your level of frustration! 😊
What are your frustrations when it comes to trying out a new pattern? Let me know in the comments below!
FREE Dress Pattern
Where should we send the pattern?
Get on the waitlist
Cutting out a pattern from fabric is the first, most important step of the sewing project. It’s so important because it’s where everything starts and determines the end result. Before cutting out a sewing project you first need to prepare your pattern and fabric, then lay out the pattern to ensure the pieces fit and
Read MoreMorning routines are such a great way to get the day started. But what if it just doesn’t feel like the routine you have is working? It worked when you started but for some reason it’s not working now. It doesn’t bring satisfaction, it doesn’t accomplish what it used to, and it just feels like
Read MoreHow can I save time when sewing? How can I get sewing done but not take so much time with it? To save time in sewing begin by pre-washing fabric, collecting all supplies together ahead of time, and removing distractions. This prepares you for the best sewing experience, besides other successful strategies for sewing efficiently.
Read MoreWhen it comes to sewing your own clothes, some of the benefits seem like a no-brainer while other benefits require some digging to find them. I had to dig a bit to find some of the benefits because I have been sewing my own dresses and other things for most of my life. Sewing your
Read MoreSewing a dress is so much easier with the right tools. And the right tools aren’t necessarily so fancy or complicated. The most used sewing tools in sewing dresses are basically, but not limited to, a pair of scissors, stick pins, and a tape measure. These tools ensure an efficient sewing experience as well as
Read MoreIt’s an hour before mealtime and you don’t know what you are going to cook. A half hour goes by and your mind is still a blank. Now panic starts to set it. WHAT to cook? Make a plan. It’s that simple. Truly. A menu plan for the week. The simplest way to create a
Read MoreSewing Your Dress
6 important steps to get started
Where should we send your FREE checklist?