Just like the waistline, the neckline style is a defining factor when it comes to the overall look and feel of your outfit. Your choice of neckline styles defines whether your outfit is formal or casual, feminine and playful or sophisticated and stylish. There are a few factors to consider … Continue reading
The focus of this tutorial is to teach you how to transform an existing pattern to adapt it to the bell sleeve top design. It’s time to use the patterns you already have and learn how to alter them to come up with different outfits. This tutorial works best if … Continue reading
So what is shirring anyway? In preparation for a new project this week, I want to introduce you to a technique called shirring (which is sometimes known as smocking) with a simple practice tutorial. According to Wikipedia, “shirring is two or more rows of gathers that are used to decorate … Continue reading
You’ve heard me moan on and on before about my early fitting issues with commercial patterns. Some All of those early issues were my own fault – in many cases, I simply didn’t know how to pick my correct size from the pattern or I used the wrong fabrics. If … Continue reading
As you know, every month I like to offer up a new free sewing pattern. But so many people have been asking me recently about how I make the patterns, how they can make their own, and how they can adjust patterns to fit them better or slightly change the … Continue reading
So I made a bra from following along with the Bra Making: Construction and Fitting Class on Craftsy. It looked amazing and I was SO happy with how it came together. But no matter what it looks like, it only really works if it actually fits. Did it fit? No. … Continue reading
It’s been a while since I brought Penelope home, and she’s been sat there taunting me for a while. I admit, I put on a few (quite a few) pounds over Christmas and New Year. I really intended to loose them again before fitting out Penelope but well, its nearly … Continue reading
Did you meet Penelope my new dress form? I’m so excited to be having some help with fitting my clothes this year, and in designing my sewing patterns. But Penelope is young and perky and needs to put on 20 years and 20lbs in order to be a perfect … Continue reading
I want to introduce you to my newest best friend. This is Penelope. Penelope started out life as a PGM Pro 601 Dress Form, but she is soon destined to become me. I’m sure the poor girl has mixed feelings about this. At the moment, she is young, firm, … Continue reading
I’ve been taking the Sew the Perfect Fit class from Craftsy. I decided that I was not going to allow 2013 to close without me tackling my biggest sewing challenge – picking the correct pattern size to start with and then getting it to fit correctly. I know from my … Continue reading
I’m embarking upon an epic fitting exercise and learning to sew the perfect fit this year, following along with the Craftsy course of the same name and the lovely instructor Lynda Maynard. You can read Part 1 of the series at 2013 is the year of Sew the Perfect Fit, Part 2 … Continue reading
