Site-Wide Activity

I have seen the slack lines. Those are cool!

With the boys in school today, we spent the whole morning doing full pedicures. So relaxing! And now we have matching pink toes. 🙂

coton — cotton
cuir – leather
daim — suede
feutre — felt
laine — wool
soie — silk

this is what i remember from a very long-ago time of reading French Vogue… as of now tho, many terms are in English or close enough (acrilique, etc)… many times shopping for fabric where I don’t speak the language, I try to bring swatches or wear clothes in…[Read more]

this looks similar to the tool the train conductors use to punch the tickets on the commuter train… like a leather punch?
If so and it cuts through fabric I’d love to get one! the fancy hole punches sold for scrapbooking don’t work on fabric.

I have a feeling that happened to me too awhile ago. I going to try to remember what I did about it. I do remember being rather unhappy about the whole situation. Certainly not a moment to suck it up.

Yes! I have had skirts that just need an extra layer, whether for sheerness or for the itch factor. The easiest way is to blind-stitch the lining to the inside of the waistband. (skirt wrong side out, with the lining sticking upward, then flip down after sewing to prevent roughness. Then if you like, a few tacks on the bottom to the hem to keep…[Read more]

Yes! I have had skirts that just need an extra layer, whether for sheerness or for the itch factor. The easiest way is to blind-stitch the lining to the inside of the waistband. (skirt wrong side out, with the lining sticking upward, then flip down after sewing to prevent roughness.) I like acetate (China silk) or habotai, or rayon knit meant for…[Read more]

I am late replying to this thread, but a contemporary pattern with a Jackie O. feel is New Look Kids 6018 — a zip-back jumper with matching coat.
For a pillbox hat, the Bucket Hat from the O+S free patterns, without the brim, is perfect (for an 8 year old, try the 6 month size for it to sit on top of the head.) I made 22 of them for costumes…[Read more]

As for fabric, do choose something slippery. I have a winter style/weight everyday skirt and it needs a slippery lining to stop it catching on tights.
Bemberg rayon or acetate or silk… I’d avoid a cotton like batiste or voile. Perfect for summer and bare legs but no good with stockings.

I haven’t done it but it could be done if you’re friendly with your seam ripper. 🙂
I’d cut an identical skirt without pockets or waistband out of lining and about 1/2″ shorter. Then detach the waistband and reattach it over both skirt and lining. If you’re happy to have topstitching effect then the reattaching could be a one sew step by putting…[Read more]

I made the Garden Party with longer sleeves just by extending the pattern piece in a straight line… it turns out less puffy because it lays closer to the arm. It’s in the Flickr photo pool but far back as it was last year’s Easter dress.

You are not alone. I also have this problem. I am interested in the answeres too. I would think as a lining a thin voile would be great, but I am no expert. I am playing with the idea of making a simple slip myself and use it underneath.

Wow!! Thank you Sarvi and Sarah… those tips are really great. I will definitely look everything up online. I am missing the names of the Fabrics in French… I will research. I know that in Montmartre there should be a big nice store Reine. And someone told me about a store in the area you are talking about, I forgot the name. I´ll check that…[Read more]

Last time we were in Paris we stayed in an apartment on the Rue de Mulhouse near Rue Montorgueil. There were fabric houses up and down our street. Although I think most wee only open to wholesales, it might be possible to find a few to sell to an individual. I was drooling at the windows. There are many other fabric art boutiques in the…[Read more]

And congratulations on the trip! Paris is such a wonderful city, and it’s great to take some time for yourself. It’s very renewing. Have fun!

Unfortunately the last time I was in Paris it was before I did much sewing, but I can recommend that if you visit the Jardin des Plantes, head out through the back exit and have a cup of hot, sweet mint tea under the fig trees in the back patio of the Paris Mosque.…[Read more]

you’re reading it right! The gathering stitches are at 3/8 and 5/8 and then you sew in between them at your normal 1/2 seam allowance and then remove the visible gathering stitches after sewing the seam. Doing it this way gives you nice even gathers. Good luck with the rest 🙂