I know this is a sewing blog, but can we talk about fashion-related fiction? I tell you — if there is “dress” in the book title, I’m all there for it. Two books by author Jade Beer came up in my library feed and I read them both. They are lovely quick reads if you… Read More “Dress” Fiction by Jade Beer
(The header image is not my project, but from the free WordPress images collection for use by bloggers on this platform) Hello friends, I recently came across a podcast that was titled “The Art of Unfinishing” (funny how algorithms work). https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0021qrw It started off with conversations with a group of quilters and knitters from the… Read More “The Finishers”
While the (now closed) Bernina Sewing Studio was a small independent sewing machine dealership in my area, it was where the owner Barbara introduced me to the joys of a good sewing machine, the delightful enigma of a serger, and showed me that Sandra Betzina existed. I became enthralled by Sandra’s expertise and personal charisma… Read More Sandra Betzina (retiring): A Sewing Star Still Reigns.
To reach an acceptable level of sewing proficiency, I learned from people and entities who were and are still giants in the field of clothing construction. I will forever be beholden to them. One of them was Claire Shaeffer whose depth of first hand knowledge about Haute Couture construction and how it was different from… Read More Claire Shaeffer, 1939 – 2025
Thus we reach the end of the battle with these three shirts and a Happy Thanksgiving to all, the common features being the hallmark men’s shirt collar and front-buttoning band. The three quarter sleeves are my option for all three. Take a look and tell me what you think. This composite of photos proves the… Read More Button-down Battle #3. Viscose twill maxi (midi on tall people) shirtdress
Hi friends, it being National Sewing Month and all, and people focusing on celebrating it with a sustainability theme, I’m happy to share this project with you. My blog analytics tell me that the most viewed post on this blog so far is the one where I tweaked the armhole in this Lands End dress.… Read More Many Lives of a Lands End Dress
Remember the first button down make in this battle? Yeah — it took me this long to make the next one. Oh, and Happy Sewing Month. Let’s first get over the how-does-it-fit hurdle and then move to the details. Lets compare the fit of upper chest and armhole/sleeve area. The Amy Butler Liverpool Shirt (#1)… Read More Button Down Battle #2
Let’s begin with a disclaimer: I am not a Balenciaga scholar nor an haute couture scholar. These are just my opinions. In the Balenciaga Couture item above, the boundaries have been pushed a little too far, in my opinion. The only two items invoking Mr. B are the gloves and the hat. At some point… Read More Balenciaga Fall Couture 2024. Uh-Oh
Or, gota-patti? Let me explain. In a nutshell, gota is a surface embellishment, indigenous to the Pakistan and Indian subcontinent. It is very, very old and traditional. At the granular level, “gota” is just metal ribbon, beaten down to it’s thinnest and softest form, (or as one source relayed, it is molten metal applied to… Read More What’s gota??
Hi guys! I have been sewing a bunch of garments — just not for myself. And, here they are in the pages of my favorite magazine, Threads. It’s a joy to sew up something that need not go through a fitting process for one particular person. I was given the pattern, the size, fabric, notions… Read More Things I Sewed for Threads Magazine’s Pattern Review Feature.
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