skirt as top

Hi Jes,

I know what you’re saying! All sizes need support. You have the opposite problem that we have at our house, but ironically the fix is similar. On pages 12-13 of the book there is a section on lengthening and shortening a pattern. Where I usually need to lengthen a smaller size, you’ll be shortening a larger size. Also, on pages 9-11 there…[Read more]

Hey there! Yes, I can see that the sleeves have drag lines that are coming more from the shoulder than the top of the sleeve. This is probably partly a function of the kimono sleeve, which doesn’t really allow for a true sleeve cap. Based on the photos, I’m thinking you might need a larger size because you have a wider shoulder. As a result, right…[Read more]

Apologies for the silence! I’m back from multiple trips (finally) and recovering from a cold, so I’ve been absent more than usual.

Anyway, excellent question! It’s been so long since we released this pattern, I haven’t given it much thought in a while. But I just went back and glanced at the pieces. We released them as full pattern pieces because…[Read more]

Hi there! From the pattern envelope:

Sweatpants: Light- to medium-weight knit fabrics like jersey, cotton fleece, and French terry.

I’ve never seen a French terry without stretch, but maybe it exists? Yes, the pattern is designed for knits with some stretch. It doesn’t need a ton of stretch, but they might be quite slim without it.

I hope…[Read more]

Hmmm, I just made this pattern yesterday so it’s fresh in my mind…
The placket is the very last thing you do, so I can see two ways you could line it without changing the order of steps.
One would be to effectively underline each front and back panel and have the lining enclosed in the hem. ie treat the lining and main fabric as one when it…[Read more]

I didn’t really intend the pattern with long sleeves, but I suppose there’s no reason you couldn’t adopt the armholes and sleeves from the Metro Tee if you were so inclined…

It would be an interesting exercise to see if the Bento sleeves don’t fit right on there… But then I don’t have the pattern to hand. Yet. 🙂

Great tip, @mima!

Sizing this coat up may not be easy to do. You could always use the Grainline Cascade Duffle Coat pattern instead.

https://oliverands.com/shop/digital-cascade-duffle-coat-sewing-pattern.html

I agree. In general, I recommend that you not size down more than two sizes from the age or the proportions start to feel “off”. For example, S is 12 and I sometimes sew her a size 8 but I need to adjust the shoulders and sleeves. It would be safer to sew her a size 10 and leave a little extra ease for most styles. Knits are fine to be a little…[Read more]

Sure, why not? Whatever works best with your fabric will be just fine for this style!

Andrea, have no fear. The Garment District is near Penn Station, and there are lots of people in the neighborhood with suitcases.

Happy shopping!

The photo to highlight from the Flickr group is selected at random from the most recent photos posted. It updates every so often to choose a new photo if there are more recent ones available than the one that is being featured currently. And, yes, the photo does need to be public.

I’ve certainly seen people make this coat in cotton laminates. They will be water repellent but have more drape than a home Dec weight outdoor furnishing fabric. However, I think the pattern lends itself quite well to a fabric that has minimal drape. It will be quite boxy but that can be fine, just be aware that it may be a beast to sew – setting…[Read more]

Sorry for the late reply @erechler Erin. Yes, sometimes you will flip a pattern piece in order to have it on the fold. What matters is that all the pattern pieces have their top and bottom ends facing the same way as each other. That way you won’t have upside down print on one or other parts of a pattern.
Cutting layouts are great but feel free…[Read more]

Oh why is this fabric so blue?
I was sure I bought some other hue
It’s hurting my eyes
They’re going cross-wise
And making me sneeze, “Ah-choo!”

New one:
When will the new patterns arrive?

As Liesl mentioned, there was indeed a minor grading issue on Piece 3. It was most pronounced (about 1/4″) on the smallest sizes.

We have updated the digital pattern to fix the issue and have issued an errata notice which is now available…[Read more]

@madelouisville hi Lyndsey, the top corner of the button placket template should line up with the top corner of the finished button placket and then the buttonholes marked from there.
From memory the template doesn’t really have a bottom, it just continues… So long as the lowest buttonhole is well and truly on your placket then you’re right. If…[Read more]

I took a quick glance at this and it appears to be a grading issue. My apologies that we didn’t catch it earlier. As soon as I have time I’ll address it and we’ll issue an errata, ok?

Perhaps this will help you get started? https://www.creativebug.com/classseries/single/fabrics-101