I couldn’t believe the difficulty I had with these patch pockets. Patch pockets, right? Easiest pockets there are but not this time. Here are my four stumbling blocks; First, I lost motivation. I had to stop sewing completely for a week as we went away for the holiday. Second, placement of the pockets was difficult […] Read more…
Basic Sewing Tips: A Better Way To Clip A Corner
You know how pattern directions always tell you to clip the seam allowance of a corner off? Well their method of one snip across the corner works okay but this is what I learned in my first semester in Fashion Design classes. It’s that basic. You need to know this and it’s so simple you […] Read more…
Sewing With Friends – Shannon Waldman
My friend Shannon is teaching herself how to sew. She’s not using a book. She’s not using patterns. She’s altering cast off clothing into new garments of her own design. I love her fearlessness. Read more…
Preparing and Cutting Wool Coating
Wool is one of my favorite fabrics to sew. It’s so easy and pliable, and as a finished garment, holds up well. Wool comes in all different weights and weaves and blends. My coat fabric is wool and alpaca. It has a pile and is heavy and thick enough for a coat. (This is why […] Read more…
A Lesson to Learn Before Cutting Into Your Fabric
I was reminded of an important step when cutting out your garment pieces and the more expensive your fabric is the more important the step. Before you cut any piece out of your fabric, lay out the pattern pieces on your fabric according to the pattern’s plan to be sure they fit. You don’t have […] Read more…
10 Gift Ideas for People Who Sew
Last night I spent too much time searching the internet for gift ideas for all the men and almost men in my life. Didn’t really get a solid idea except for this one – a post about what sewers might like to receive. Here are my ten quick ideas. Some are tiny gifts and some […] Read more…
Coat Collar
Geez Louise! I’m so happy that I did not skip making this coat in muslin first. I did it to make sure the fit was right but it’s the opportunity to figure out the collar construction that makes me glad I’m sewing a muslin. Let me share my confusion; Read more…
The Start of a New Project – A Wool Coat
I always say if I’m going to take the time to make a garment then I’m going to take the time to make it right. Trying my best to be efficient, by all means, but no short cuts. And now I sound like a complete hypocrite by challenging myself to get this coat done in […] Read more…
Bunting; An Easy and Fast Project For Any Festive Occasion
I see bunting for sale in catalogs and at craft shows. It can turn any room instantly festive. We use it outdoors at the school I work at on special days and and at booths when we have a table. Teachers have borrowed it to use at home when they’ve hosted baby showers. If done […] Read more…
Tinkerbell Costume – Completed
I finished. I made a gathered tulle skirt to wear under the “skirt” of the pattern. I think it should be called a peplum and I added an inch to the length. I cut the bottom edge of the tulle skirt in a points. Just random points, after I had sewn the skirt. Since the […] Read more…