It is the middle of Me-Made-May and I seem to be achieving the exact opposite of it’s desired effect. Instead of appreciating the clothing I’ve made by wearing them more often, I’m getting tired of my self made garments because I wear the same few pieces all the time. Someone give me a box store […] Read more…
Lisette Skirt: Butterick 6182 Pattern Review
Spring time means time to make a couple skirts and this year I’m trying out three skirt patterns. I just finished making Lisette B6182 a safari inspired a-line skirt. (The B in B6182 stands for Butterick. You may recall Lisette patterns use to come out under Simplicity Creative Group but now it’s Butterick) Lisette patterns […] Read more…
A Review of McCall’s 4116; An Easy to Sew Head Scarf
My friend has started chemotherapy treatments and will soon lose her hair. I wanted to help more than just visiting a couple times (we live 458 miles apart) so I asked if I could make her some head scarves or hats. The answer was yes but the style was completely up to me to choose. […] Read more…
Gifts for People Who Sew; The Little Things
Sometimes you need a little gift to give. Maybe it’s for a secret pal, or one more thing to add to a box being sent to a far-away friend, or a little something for a co-worker, or your cousin is bringing his new girlfriend to the family Christmas party (On second thought, give her wine. […] Read more…
Gifts For People Who Sew; 2014
Gift-giving happens all year round – birthdays, Mother’s & Father’s Day, and little care packages when the occasion strikes, but this is the time of year I really brainstorm about gift ideas. As a sewer and someone who is a practical person (a recent realization I have had to accept. The tip-off was my preference […] Read more…
Tool Time: Clover’s Chaco Liner Marking Pen
Marking fabric for darts and pocket placements never installed confidence in me. My marks were never clear. It was like a guessing game half the time where that dart point was exactly. Sometimes marks would be worn off by the time I got to the sewing machine. I found thread tacks a bother. Seriously trivial, […] Read more…
Easy to Make, Ultimate Work Table for Sewing
The most important piece of sewing equipment I own is my sewing machine (I mean, we are talking sewing equipment) but the second most important, most appreciated and maybe the most used sewing tool I own is my cutting/ironing/work surface/table. Yes, it is all of those things and yet it is only a cheap door […] Read more…
How to Shorten a Metal Zipper
When a zipper is too long it’s nothing to run a few stitches over the teeth to form a new bottom zipper stop which automatically shortens the length of your zipper. However this doesn’t work for metal zippers and certainly not for exposed metal zippers. To shorten a metal zipper you need a few suppliesĀ and […] Read more…
DIY Pattern Weights
As much as I love the old school way of pinning pattern pieces onto the fabric there are times I want to use pattern weights instead. My dilemma is, I just don’t want to buy pattern weights. They seem like a rip off; four, unattractive, little weights for $16. So I used books for the […] Read more…
Working With a Digital Pattern
Downloadable patterns are pretty common. They’re convenient and easy, if not impulsive, to purchase. Just pay and click. However when you go to use the pattern there are a few steps or tricks to remember. We all know how one little inaccuracy at the beginning of a project can snowball into a big frustrating mess. […] Read more…