It’s easy to love an A-line skirt: It flatters almost every body It’s easy to sew It takes a mere two yards of fabric It’s simple silhouette can be made up in wilder prints and will still look classy. It’s a work horse; errands, date nights, work, gatherings. It always looks like you made an effort even when worn with a […] Read more…
Guide to Hand Stitches: Five Basic Stitches for Garment Construction
We don’t have to sew our clothes by hand anymore but there are are times and construction details that call for hand stitching. Here are five hand stitches that will prove useful to know. Watch the video for detailed instructions and a couple hand sewing tips. I have posted pictures below for those just needing […] Read more…
Twill, Tweed, Lurex, Lawn: A Simple Way to Know What’s What
Why was I, after adjusting a pattern for fit and putting time into my sewing, still ending up with garments that were not quite right? I couldn’t quite figure it out and it didn’t happen every time but it happened enough not to be one bad pattern or one cut off grain fabric. If anything […] Read more…
A Line Skirt: You Sew Girl! Pattern Review
You Sew Girl! patterns by Nicole Mallalieu are all about teaching you skills while you make something you can be proud of. Although the bulk of You Sew Girl! patterns are for handbags they do offer a few garment patterns and it’s their A-Line Skirt pattern I’m currently in love with. Style details: This A-line skirt […] Read more…
What To Do With Fabrics You Love But Just Can’t Wear
Four months ago I counted all my fabric and realized I had a ridiculous amount of it. I started a year long ban on buying fabric in order to use what I have and reduce the size of the stash. However, I recently discovered an unforeseen drawback to using up my fabric stash; I own fabric I wouldn’t want […] Read more…
How to Adjust the Bodice and Sleeve Pattern When Armholes Are Too Large
A reader asked “On a commercial pattern I have decreased the size of my armhole on a blouse pattern. I took 1 inch out of the front armhole. How do I adjust the sleeve pattern?” I assumed the problem was a gaping armhole – too much fabric above the bust area. This usually occurs when […] Read more…
How Paper Can Help You See
Cut right angled corners (or strips which can then be taped together at a right angle) from solid tag board or paper wide enough to visually block out the fabric extending beyond the area of focus (the area inside your frame). Mine are two inches wide (5 cm) and that’s probably the minimum width you can have […] Read more…
How to Make a Tree Skirt
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, I decorated your branches but I neglected to cover up your tree stand. Well, to the defense of my laziness the lower branches and the gifts, once wrapped and placed under the tree, hide the mammoth, green, plastic stand pretty well. How did I get so lackadaisical? Years ago I made […] Read more…
Easy and Quick Fabric Gift Bags
I have a love hate relationship with gift wrap. I love the designs, the colors, the way they make the simplest gifts look so good. I don’t like that it can only be used onced and then tossed away. (Yes, same with Kleenex, but Kleenex serves a very useful purpose before it is tossed). Gift bags are slightly better […] Read more…
Gifts for People Who Sew; 2015
Do you know someone who enjoys sewing? Do you want to give them a gift? Do you want to give them a gift they will use? Do you need some ideas to point you in the right direction? I’ve been sewing (of my own choosing) for many, many years and maybe the things I want are […] Read more…