Making Matching Cord for Projects
Making your own cord and trim to match fabrics.Read More →
The Joy of Spinning
Let Marilyn Kluger’s The Joy of Spinning help you understand spinning fibers into thread and cords.Read More →
Tip: Don’t Freak Out About Slight Irregularities
Keep calm and understand that fabric isn’t sheet metal.Read More →
Debbie’s Showstopper #6,483,261
Debbie has been on a roll again with pageant showstoppers as part of her D’Jean series. This dress is interesting, in that she is venturing out into developing patterns of her own based roughly on multiple pieces from multiple patterns then overlaid with her own interpretation. She started with the bodice from Simplicity #8330. She modified the shape to fit just a bit better and did a little sculpting through the sides and back. The skirt section is loosely based on Neue Mode #22627 with the flare of the skirt changed subtly. Once we got through the initial redrafting, shaping, and draping, we were goodRead More →
Tip: 3-D Sewing With Knits
Debbie uses a dress form to deal with problematic knits.Read More →
Simplified Clothing Construction: Home & Garden Bulletin #59
A concise Great Society booklet from the Department of Agriculture.Read More →
Tip: Sewing Sequined Fabric… Verena’s Couture Compromise
Verena uses a beaded illusion for her bridal bustier.Read More →
“Oh, THAT’S Feminine?!? How About THIS?!?”
No, That’s not feminine, THIS is feminine.Read More →
Fabric 911
Every sewer at some point will mess things up. Make peace with this. Then go buy Barbara Deckert’s Sewing 911.Read More →
Ying Works up Simplicity #6680
Ying works up Vintage Simplicity #6680 as a first project.Read More →
Знциклопедия Кройки и Шитья (Encyclopedia of Cutting and Sewing)
Знциклопедия Кройки и Шитья (Encyclopedia of Cutting and Sewing): A great sewing manual for the native Russian Speaker!Read More →
Enrolling for Spring/Summer 2018 Now!
Currently enrolling for the Spring/Summer 2018 Session! Get your spot today!Read More →
The Secrets of Sewing Lingerie…
We’ve been using The Secrets of Sewing Lingerie: Make Your Own Divine Knickers, Bras & Camisoles by Katherine Sheers for lingerie work in class since it came out a couple of years ago. It is a really great little book and the patterns are trued up well and well marked. The instructions would be a little rough for the early beginner, but anyone who has a couple of patterns under their belts should be fine. The language and vocabulary isn’t in standard American English, so there are words here and there that aren’t what you would expect if you are from the US, but the world isRead More →
…Inclusion
I was writing about fabric exchanges at the workroom and what I see for this place as a creative environment and started thinking about inclusion. When I was a kid in Southern Indiana, my Grandma used to talk about workers they would hire on the farm and property and how the family would interact with them. She’d describe these big meals prepared outside where everyone would sit down to long tables: workers, farm owners, wives, kids – everyone. She’d say: “If you are good enough to work for me, you are good enough to sit at my table”. This really resonated with me and hasRead More →
Tulsa to Chicago is Quite the Commute.
We’re glad Marc’s commute from Tulsa to Chicago for sewing classes was worth it!Read More →
Winter 2018 classes almost gone!
Hey! You wanna take a class? You wanna sew? Registrations are going to close in 3 days! Get it while the getting’s good!Read More →
Camille’s First Project and Subsequent Progress
Camille smugly mugs with her first projects.Read More →
Just a reminder about Fall Classes!
Just a quick reminder that Fall classes begin soon!Read More →
Lisa wants you to see what she did at Tchad.
Lisa shows off the Supercowl…Read More →