Sewing
Ruffler Attachment attachment
This week I have been making some aprons with ruffles around the edges. I had been putting off the job because of all the gathering, but then a saw a ruffler attachment video on facebook. Wait a minute! I own a ruffler! I’ve never used it, but it’s been sitting in the accessory box all…
Read MoreWhat’s that gadget?
Inspiration: Corduroy Day 2017
My dad was fond of saying If Fashion and I cross paths, it is Fashion’s good fortune. And that’s what has happened: corduroy, one of my very favourite fabrics, is in fashion this season. (Well, for you people in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s a bit late for us; we’re already thinking of sundresses and tank…
Read MoreA pair of bathing beauties
My children have started swimming lessons again, in an indoor heated pool. After their lesson they get in the car with their towels, then shower and change at home. I had in mind to make them some sort of toweling dressing gown to wear after their swim. The sewing brief: long, robe-like, hooded, long sleeves,…
Read MoreA skirt that goes with everything
A Skirt That Goes With Everything -well, that was the dream. Time will reveal the reality! I’ve been turning this idea over in my head for a while now, examining capsule wardrobes in Pinterest, considering the perfect fabric, reading blog posts on colour analysis in one’s wardrobe, etc etc. I’m aware of the problems of…
Read More3 Great pincushion ideas
Are you a pincushion user? Or do you use a pin tin? I was a pin tin user for many years, until one day I made myself a pincushion and never looked back! Lately I’ve been experimenting with some different types of pincushions. Large pincushion This pincushion is like a mini house brick. I made…
Read MoreBeautiful trims from old neckties
Do you have unworn neckties at your house? Too ugly or unfashionable to wear, fallen down at the back of the wardrobe? If you’re ever in need of a small amount of bias-cut fabric for binding, piping or trim, an old necktie could be the answer. Even an ugly necktie can make a beautiful trim.…
Read MoreHow to sew an invisible zip (finally!)
Several people have asked me for a post on how to sew an invisible zip (although this might come too late for them), so here it is. Firstly, some notes: An invisible zip can be almost one of the last things sewn on a garment. Sew the zip in before you sew the rest of…
Read MoreTime Capsule from the 1960’s
Recently I was given a gift of two bags and box containing fabric from a friend of our family, Will. The fabric had belonged to four women: Will’s mum, her two sisters and their mum. The fabric had been sitting in a caravan for years, untouched by mice or moths, and Will’s mum was having…
Read MoreMy ex-favourite skirt just became favourite again
Some time ago I went through a phase of using cotton fabric for skirt linings. I made three skirts this way: a dark brown corduroy skirt I wore for Me-Made-May, a long grey wool skirt also worn for Me-Made-May and a red corduroy Clothkits skirt. I thought a cotton lining would make the skirts warmer…
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