katybellabug

Is there any particular reason that you wish to use french seams?
I am with Melanie on this one,I am sure it could be done but it would be bulky.
How about lining the skirt?
~Nicole~

Cotton voile is lovely for a special outfit.
For everyday lining I use a cotton rich poplin.
Lots of pretty colours and it needs little pressing.

Happy to enable!
I blogged the construction so if you would like to ‘try before you buy’ http://www.flickr.com/photos/motherof5/sets/72157625559687392/
My 8 year old Lidia has only just stopped fitting in hers and whilst she is skinny she had quite a broad back and I generally cut the size 7 width in tops for her.
The skirt would be ever so easy…[Read more]

Yep I agree that polyester lining is temperamental to sew with but lots and lots of pinning is required to keep it all together – I use a rotary cutter to cut it out so the fraying isn’t as bad. I still prefer natural fibres when lining this dress because of the stubborness of the poly fabrics.

Lisa – I totally agree with you on growing up metric and I had the hardest time at the beginning of sewing with inches and fractions. It all looked so jumbled.
I would recommend finding a good ruler that has inches and all eight fractions marked and try and not think about if 1/4 inch is 0.6 or 0.7 cm any more.
I found my sewing was a lot more…[Read more]

Thanks Liesl, I cut it out anyway, remembering that it is buttoning at the shoulder. Had to check and ask first though just in case.
Tamara

Thanks Liesl, I cut it out anyway, remembering that it is buttoning at the shoulder. Had to check and ask first though just in case.
Tamara

I buy my McCalls interfacing when I have a coupon,it is usually $12/m.
Well worth it.
~Nicole~

Kaufman claims it’s the same, and I imagine that they’d be careful about protecting the reputation of their brand:
http://www.swatchandstitch.com/all-about-kona/2010/9/21/what-is-kona-cotton.html

Oooh a fellow West Aussie! If you have a country spotlight then be aware they don’t get everything in – my local had something like 2 bolts! The bigger places like Midland and the one near Carousel would have more. So if you are in the rural areas, make a list and maybe phone one of the city stores to find out? and then grab some on a city visit.…[Read more]

Oooh a fellow West Aussie! If you have a country spotlight then be aware they don’t get everything in – my local had something like 2 bolts! The bigger places like Midland and the one near Carousel would have more. So if you are in the rural areas, make a list and maybe phone one of the city stores to find out? and then grab some on a city visit.…[Read more]

Hi Gillibeanz!
Spotlight carry the Lisette fabric range, which is also designed by O+S. The Oliver +S fabric is not readily available here….. :-(. I think most of us buy it online from the US (places like QuiltHome and Fat Quarter Shop probably have the best range.) Some smaller places sell it too, and a couple of Aus online places stock…[Read more]

Hi Gillibeanz!
Spotlight carry the Lisette fabric range, which is also designed by O+S. The Oliver +S fabric is not readily available here….. :-(. I think most of us buy it online from the US (places like QuiltHome and Fat Quarter Shop probably have the best range.) Some smaller places sell it too, and a couple of Aus online places stock…[Read more]

Wendyls, I’m glad you are enjoying your new serger. All I can say is that you can feel free to practise “speeding” without the worry of getting pulled over, fined and the like – you may be in for accidental needle breakages though but this is the only warning so I will let you off just this once hehe!
Did your dealer offer a free lesson to take…[Read more]

Bumped -baby baby!

Sometimes they have things on special to remove old stock. Maybe they are releasing a newer version? Bernina seems to have a big price tag attached to all their machines yet some would say this is because of paying for the quality. I can’t be the judge of that as I have never tried and tested a Bernina – although my maternal grandmother loves them…[Read more]

Thank you Corlee,that is so sweet of you and it made my day!
The forum is great and I always try and check in before making an o+s pattern for ideas and tips.
~Nicole~

Thank you Corlee,that is so sweet of you and it made my day!
The forum is great and I always try and check in before making an o+s pattern for ideas and tips.
~Nicole~

It is a bit hard to say……but it can always be added later if you do find it is shifting.
I am sorry not to be more help.
~Nicole~

I don’t think you have to stitch the seam on the shoulders if you are willing to press it back to shape.
I made these for a dear OS O+S chum and I hand stitched the seam in place http://www.flickr.com/photos/motherof5/7087015835/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/motherof5/6941047922/in/photostream/
~Nicole~