Hey kids, you’ve been doing it all wrong! How do you face a neckline? The tailor is Sajid of Sajid Designs, and you may not understand the language because he is Indian, but the videos are visually clear and understandable. He, like tailors from that part of the world, works a little differently than us… Read More Faced Neckline: Lesson Learned From a South Asian Tailor
About McCall’s Pattern 7470…. I found that the sleeved and sleeveless versions therein have the same front and back printed sections – and can be a conundrum depending on how picky you are about fit. You see, the armhole in a sleeveless garment MUST be close to the body, but sleeved versions need that extra ease;… Read More Sleeveless Armhole Neatness
Everyone names their clothing, right? Last week was the “Sheet”(dress, that is). Here is my Blue Lagoon. Heh. This is the latest iteration of the button down, but a bit longer, sleeveless and with a side flare. The inspiration was a Rebecca Minkoff version of a shirtdress, and the sewing stars seem to have aligned. I… Read More The Shirt Making Continues: Blue Lagoon
Oops, I mean “shirt” dress. Made with a bedsheet. In the interest of the Rs – Recycle, Reuse, Refashion and Repurpose, I’ve used a bedsheet for the first time to make a garment. Hey purists and snobs, it’s okay, it’s a trial muslin but it is a “wearable” muslin. One fine day, the nether regions… Read More “Sheet” Dress
Recently I had to sew an underarm gusset in a batwing sleeve, at the same time wondering why a batwing (or dolman) sleeve even needs a gusset. Anyhow, it started out as a godet insertion in the sleeve underarm. It meant 4 insertions which when sew together, served as a gusset. But…. sewing a godet… Read More Sewing in Godets. Lets Nerd Out.
In the southern region of Pakistan, there lies a province named Sindh. Therein live some crafts people who are experts in the creation of 2 yard (approx.) pieces of cotton called “Ajrak” in a gloriously printed (and sometimes further embellished) form. These are used as scarves for men and women, turbans, and in the modern… Read More Textiles from Other Lands: #Ajrak from Pakistan
“In Praise of the Needlewoman”: The image above is of a book of paintings depicting girls and women sewing, by Gail Carolyn Sirna As an obsessed sewing hobbyist, I’m excited when a book of fiction crosses my path and has the word “seamstress” or “pattern-maker” or “collection” in the title. Today, I’m sharing some books… Read More Sewing Themed Fiction
…. so lets nerd out today. With this post, I’ll turn the tables and ask your opinion about shirt interfacings; if you make button down shirts for men or women what is your preferred collar and cuff interfacing? I have never managed to get my head wrapped around selecting the right one. I’ve asked… Read More Shirt Interfacing: I have Questions
Recently, I made something for a miniature human – a grandniece. She comes with two sisters (all three are 5 and under), so whoever fits this kurta, gets to wear it until it is handed down. Given the small piece of fabric, this one’s going to fit the middle child, a two year old cutie.… Read More Kurta in Miniature
Hi all! Be warned that this is a short venting post. If you think I’m wrong in my assumptions and presumptions, please tell me so. Because I have not stopped learning, and will never stop. Forgotten Fabric: SiBonne or Si-Bonne The other day at my fashion sewing group meeting, another attendee asked whether “si bonne”… Read More Sewing Terms: The Forgotten, the Misspelled, the Mispronounced, and a Wrongly Cut Fabric
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