Three words: Tear Away Stabilizer I’m sewing a Merino Stretch Knit Wool zip up sports top for my son to wear rock climbing. The pattern I’m using is Jalie 2212, and I’m really loving all the seams and design details. The directions have you top stitch the seams which is a great idea to keep […]
Make a Cozy Duvet Cover from flannel sheets
Flannel duvet covers are soooo cozy! But it’s hard to find cute designs for kids rooms and when I have found them, they’re a lot more expensive than sheets, which doesn’t really make sense, because a duvet cover is really just two sheets sewn together. And it’s hard to find cute designs for kids rooms. […]
Readers Project: Katharina’s Leather Fringed Bucket Bag
I received an email yesterday from Katharina in Sweden. She sent me a photo of a bag she made using my Fringed Leather bucket bag tutorial. It’s gorgeous don’t you think? Beautiful work, Katharina! I am loving her contrast running stitch. I may have to try that!
Matching stripes on curved seams
Matching stripes on a curved seam. It’s enough to make you want to throw your sewing machine across the room! Even with the most careful pattern cutting, the small stripes can be off, if only a tiny bit. I was having trouble getting my tiny lines on this striped fabric to line up. They looked […]
Taking apart a ready to wear jacket to make a pattern.
As you may have read, I’m participating in the Pattern Review Sewing Bee! I made it through to round 3 and this week’s challenge is to create a lined jacket. I love these contests, because they push me to try things I’ve been mulling over, but am probably too lazy to try without a deadline […]
Order of garment construction.
Are you tired of confusing pattern sewing instructions in today’s sewing world? Or do you want to design your own clothes or patterns, but aren’t sure how to actually sew them together once you’ve drafted or draped your design? There is an established order to clothing construction. I learned it in fashion school years ago. […]
Fringed Hand Sewn Leather Bucket Bag Tutorial
Hi readers ! This is going to be a long post where I will attempt to explain to you how I sewed my fringed leather bucket entirely by hand. I’ll be including the cutting dimensions and entire process of making this bag, which is my own design and evolved as I made it. I love […]
Sewing tips for slipcovers
I pretty much hate sewing slipcovers. Our slipcovers I made a few years ago had gotten really, really gross, though. Imagine four kids eating, sleeping, and hanging out on my poor sofa for years. Not only them, but their many friends, too. I had done a really bad job sewing my last set of […]
DIY Denim Jogging Shorts
I’ve been wanting some denim type jogging shorts, so I made some by making changes to an existing pattern I’ve already sewn twice. Simplicity 1165, a basic shorts pattern with pockets. I knew the fit was already good, so I didn’t want to fiddle with fitting any new patterns. This shorts pattern is turning out […]
10 Tips for sewing silk chiffon
Silk chiffon is soft, floaty, and so, so, delicate. Yes, it’s a bit finicky, but so worth the effort if done right. I’ve been working on a chiffon kimono, and thought I’d share my notes on working with silk chiffon. Here are my ten tips for working with silk chiffon, an elegant and often expensive […]