beachmom

I think you’re right that you need something at the back. It would look quite odd if a sash came forward from the side seams but the back was bare. Somehow it works the opposite way 😉
If you use a cotton and have a full sash it will be heavy and I’d worry it will sag at the front – unless you tie it quite tight!
You certainly could put the back…[Read more]

No, no additional seam allowance, just marking so you can make your fox.

I have made it more times without a sleeve than with, ha! It’s a favorite for summer around here. Anyway, I just leave the sleeve off and line the bodice. Like Liesl said, the kimono sleeve makes it look short sleeved. In this post I talk about how to line the bodice: https://oliverands.com/community/blog/2015/06/fox-playtime-dress.html

The t-shirt is a boxy, cropped style. It’s very stylish especially when teamed with the culottes. But not, I found, on a little girl who insisted on wearing her skirts or pants with the front waistband pulled down below a toddler belly. Ugh.
I’m not sure about the hem length without getting the pattern out, but imagine it would be the same for…[Read more]

The Little Things To Sew Cape has a good already and is probably closer to the swingy shape of your inspiration image.
Or, if it’s a fur/fake fur collar you’re wanting, then how about a removable faux collar. Makes it easier to wash the Cape if needed.
You could use a collar shape from the Building Block Dress Book and have it tie at the back, and…[Read more]

Did you check your seam allowance?

True story! They were super helpful over the phone, sent me big enough swatches to judge the hand, held my yardage for 24hours while I talked to the bride. It wasn’t my first time doing business with them but certainly my first being so needy!

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I ended up ordering a bundle of swatches from lots of places. This is the fabric we decided on.http://shop.farmhousefabrics.com/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=515812271655158&Store_id=198&page_id=23&Item_ID=30350&Name=Periwinkle-Blue-Silk-Batiste,-52
Now to get to planning….

And, yes…[Read more]

that’s great @poppy_andrew they look perfect!

I’m going to go off course here and say that you should check Yelp and ask around in your local sewing community to see who the most reputable dealer/repair shop is, and look at the brand they sell. If anything goes hinky or you just need service done, you don’t want to have to ship your machine. Also a local dealer will often include a few free…[Read more]

I’m going to go off course here and say that you should check Yelp and ask around in your local sewing community to see who the most reputable dealer/repair shop is. If anything goes hinky or you just need service done, you don’t want to have to ship your machine. Also a local dealer will often include a few free lessons/machine orientation to…[Read more]

I find that I can’t be firing on all pistons at once. If I’m sewing a lot, I’m not knitting. If I’m knitting a lot, I’m not cooking, and so on. I too have been in a non-sewing phase for what feels like a long time. I have had half a Music Blouse on a hanger by my sewing desk for 6 months, no exaggeration. It may well not fit by the time I finish…[Read more]

That’s fantastic! Perfectly Totoro for those of us in the know, but not at all costume-y.
Now you can stencil paint ALL THE THINGS! 😂

What is the fabric going to be? If it’s a cotton then I would suggest a freezer paper stencil and some fabric paint.
There are lots of online tutorials for freezer paper stencilling, or, if you have the Sandbox pattern it’s there too.
Have fun (we love Studio Ghibli films too)

It should work just fine. Things to think of: the neckline facing may show through too much with a thin knit. You could consider a full bodice lining layer if your fabric is really thin. Or maybe bind the neckline rather than use the facing.
As it is, it should look fine so long as you use a lightweight interfacing on the facing. You don’t want…[Read more]

Just going to work through your maths out loud…
Panel is 2 &3/4″ remove 1/4″ seam allowance from each side > remove 1/2″ = 2&1/4″.
Halve that: = 1&1/8″

Now, each side had a seam allowance with the panel, but that will stay to be the seam allowance for the side seam.

So, maths correct. The side seam will end up being in the middle of where the…[Read more]

What country are you in Melanie @mpiltingsrud ? People local to you may be able to help with more affordable full size printing. Also, even if you can’t print the A4 pattern at home, maybe that would be a cheaper option at a print shop.
Good luck.