I’ve always wanted bigger hair. Maybe the answer is to get some great head scarves and wear them like Tutti Bennett. The glasses are fabulous too! (Advanced Style) I want to try some rose gold Tieks. How comfortable are they? I don’t know if you can get them in the UK. But I’m very happy, because… Continue reading Bits and Bobbins: March 31st Sewing Highlights
I’ve become super excited about bags as accessories. I know I’m really late getting on this train. I was put off by the way bags used as status symbols. That stuff is crazy! I can’t think of any justification for spending a lot on a bag. Conspicuous consumption makes me sick. This put me off spending… Continue reading Handmade bags: Make Your Own Handbag
The world of stylish looks for older and/or larger women has included a lot of asymmetry for the last 15 years! I guess this is the Lagenlook influence of designers like Miyaki, Yamamoto, Rundholz, and others, who are making interesting clothes that are not about showcasing slim, young bodies, but more about fantastic textiles and joy… Continue reading Asymmetry and Pattern
I taught my Fair Isle class at Loop, on the weekend, and was asked to share my method for archiving my knit and design reference samples. I started doing this in college for textile technology classes. We had binders full of fabric swatches and fibre samples, where we identified the characteristics and completed burn tests. The teacher swore we… Continue reading Reference Samples: Archiving Knit and Sewing Samples
Thursday will be my weekly day for round-ups. I’ll keep you posted about my latest obsessions and the week’s sewing highlights. I’m calling it Bits and Bobbins. Beware, there are sew many potential puns in a sewing blog. Today is my first Bits and Bobbins. Bits and Bobbins It’s my birthday today – last one before I hit the half-century!… Continue reading Birthday Bits and Bobbins
Has anyone sewn with waxed canvas? I have 4 metres of this “antiqued” brown colour and I want to make a raincoat. Any hints? I found these useful ones on the Colette blog, which make me a little nervous for the happiness of my beloved sewing machine. It’s Spring, so I want to make a raincoat… Continue reading Waxed Canvas
It’s so hard not to pick All the fabrics for my Spring fabric palette! I want them all! A friend confessed to me that when she is feeling anxious about her financial situation, she comforts herself with buying fabric. I know this feeling! I’m currently on a spending freeze while I try to work my way… Continue reading Spring Fabric Palette Choices
Today I am revisiting the Alice Top/Dress by Tessuti. I previously demonstrated how to alter the pattern to accommodate a fuller bust. However, I know that there are still concerns that a yoked top can look unflatteringly like maternity wear on larger busted women, so I have one more suggestion – give the Alice Top… Continue reading Alice Top: V-neck Pattern Hack
Yesterday I showed you my Alice Top, made from a pattern by Tessuti. Today I am going to illustrate the steps I took to adjust the front yoke and armbands for a full bust. It is always best to make a muslin/calico for fitting but this uses a quicker short cut. Bust Adjustment with Minimum Fuss and Fabric… Continue reading Alice Top: Full Bust Adjustment
When I was musing about what to do with my Vietnamese silk, Michelle suggested this Alice Top pattern by Tessuti. I really like it. I love a top with a yoke. I know that this style can resemble maternity wear, on those of us with larger chests, but I love a smock top. The yoke offers lots of opportunity for decoration… Continue reading Alice Top
I need pockets. I can’t imagine there are any men who would tolerate trousers without them. My son won’t even wear a shirt unless it has a breast pocket. I have designed and made waistcoats for my husband especially so that he has enough, including one for his phone. Pockets are a Feminist Issue Yet women’s wear often… Continue reading Pockets In a Slip
I’m about to lose my favourite pair of jeans. They always wear out in the crotch area first. They get fatigued by about eight months of thigh rubbing. I have one pair of jeans that fit and two other pairs that seemed to fit in the store but got way too baggy after a few wearings. Does this… Continue reading Emergency: I Need Jeans
