Casual jacket flattering for plus-size

Dear Vicki: Could you please recommend a pattern for a plus-size woman? I love to sew, which is a good thing, because most of the ready-made clothing that fits me isn’t my style. I would like to make a casual light jacket to wear indoors that isn’t too dressy. Thanks for inspiring me to sew more. — Lesa K.

Dear Lesa: Connie Crawford is the pattern drafting guru for those of us who need plus-size patterns. She understands how larger size women are different in proportions, so their patterns can’t just be bigger, but need to be technically shaped. Butterick 5793 is a jacket for you.

This jacket is nicely draped and can be made unlined, so it will feel almost like a sweater. One really nice thing about these patterns of Connie’s is that the grading lines make it easy to ease into different sizes. It has different views, so you can make it over and over once you get the size and length correct for your most flattering look.

Dear Vicki: Do you have any answer for sewing knits when they roll and curl up at the edges? I get so frustrated trying to keep things flat when I want to pin edges together for seams and turning up hems. I love to sew, but this is an issue that is maddening. Thanks for any help. — Maggie K.

Dear Maggie: Well, I do have an idea for you. I spray starch on the edges and press them. Now, you can pin and stitch, and the starch will give extra body so you can control the edges temporarily. And after sewing it all, you can just wash the starch out.

Each week I share a reader’s tip and thank him or her with a set of 100 fine English hand-sewing needles. This week the tip is from Karen Bingley, of Crestwood, Mo. She writes:

“I have several skirts that button down the front. There is a certain amount of stress on the last button when I sit down or when getting into the car. So I sew the last button on with elastic thread. Now it has give and stays when strained.”