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Oh, if you like that book you’ll also like Claire Shaeffer’s Couture Sewing. And pretty much any of her books. I also like the books bike David Coffin: shirtmaking, trousers, etc. All very good resources.

But why stop at books? You can buy a CD with all the back issues of Threads magazine for about $65. Now there’s a treasure trove for…[Read more]

Goodness, I didn’t realise that was going to happen. Still, I suppose it saves time following a link – which is what I was trying to provide to my photostream.

Linda: I’m glad you have made the offer of knitting help on this forum. I’m new to knitting so I’m quite sure I will have a few queries for you!

My love of handwork and anything fibre related began as a child.
Over the years I’ve attempted just about every type of needlework from stumpwork to tatting to smocking. At one point I was totally…[Read more]

Cross-stitch, and quilting are my alternative activities to sewing for children. Above is my clumsy attempt to ‘show off’ ‘B is for Banksia’, completed for some dear friends with the surname ‘Brown’, in time for Christmas. I hope you can see the picture.

Currently,…[Read more]

Thank you all, you are like the good sewing angels sitting by my right ear telling me to be patient and test things rather than jumping straight in and ruining my special fabric!

I am going to play around with the pattern and try both using the family reunion dress and also a version playing with the existing pattern to see what happens… I hope…[Read more]

I like to dabble with knitting although my finished project count is pretty low. I am a slow, methodical knitter and often things get put aside until I am in the mood to pick them up again. I currently have a cardigan in a nearly completed state but for the hood and one sleeve.
I sat down yesterday and practised the magic loop method because I…[Read more]

Ooh, just looked at child patterns on Brooklyn Tweed! Must get some and the owl is so cute!

I wrote a long, rambling reply to Cat75 about how to adjust knitting needle sizes to make sure garments come out the right size, when I realised she was talking about crochet…

I wrote a long, rambling reply to Cat75 about how to adjust knitting needle sizes to make sure garments come out the right size, when I realised she was talking about crochet… Hope I’ve deleted I OK.

I knit very loosely, too Cat 75. In fact I have to normally drop down at least two knitting needle sizes to get the correct gauge. I know many people dislike doing it, but the best way is to knit a tension square, say about six inches square, using the suggested sizer needles and yarn. Then you count the stitches and rows (stitches the most…[Read more]

I used to work for Rowan Yarns until a year ago until pressures from my other job meant I couldn’t do both jobs. I was a Rowan Design Consultant, which basically means that I was based at a John Lewis department store in Cardiff (Wales) and helped customers when they needed advice. I also ran a monthly knitting group. So- I LOVE knitting! I knit…[Read more]

I used to work for Rowan Yarns until a year ago. When pressures from my other job meant I couldn’t do both jobs. I was a Rowan Design Consultant, which basically means that I was based at a John Lewis department store in Cardiff (Wales) and helped customers when they needed advice. I also ran a monthly knitting group. So- I LOVE knitting! I knit…[Read more]

I started off with cross stitch too! I had heaps of books and patterns that I would work with. When I was pregnant with my first daughter, I cross stitched a heap of Jemima Puddleduck pictures and made it into a quilt – we are now using it for Chloe.

I love stumpwork and other forms of raised embroidery. I also love smocking (well I think many of…[Read more]

That was my main area of interest with crochet, decorative edgings and closures for knitted garments. I’d love to see photos of everybody’s work! Maybe we can start a Crafter’s Auxiliary group for sharing our non-sewing projects.

I also wanted to tell you guys about a great experience I had with Brooklyn Tweed. I’d ordered a pattern without…[Read more]

Have you checked out this post? http://oliverands.com/community/blog/2014/02/customizing-the-raglan-the-a-line-t-shirt.html
It shows how and why to change a straight top into a A line top/dress.

I think you would want to slash and spread the pattern in the center as well as adding to the sides to give you a nicer a shape. I don’t think a muslin is necessary, but I also wouldn’t use my favorite fabric the first time.

A couple of tips for you:

1. This tips applies not just to this pattern, but to any sewing pattern: Always look at the finished measurements if you’re unsure which size to make. Different patterns will be designed with different amounts of ease, so if you know how you want them to fit or where you want to wear the waist you can confirm the size…[Read more]