Lightning McStitch

Sorry for the silence Peggy. I don’t have much up front, nor have I made the Capuccino dress but hopefully someone else will chime in with their thoughts soon….

I’ve run out of room for my stash
So off to Ikea I dash
The place is a maze
I’ve been here for days

Do you mean prior to washing the yardage of fabric, or finishing seams after seeing them?
At the risk of sounding heretical, I don’t do anything to the edges of new fabric before prewashing. Sure, I sometimes get a mild tangle but I only ever lose a few threads width which is less than you’d lose if you pinked the edges.

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]

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?

that’s great @poppy_andrew they look perfect!

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.

By the time you baste the elastic then stitch the binding twice you’ll have no control as to whether you pierce the elastic or not.
I have no recollection of any problems with breakage or pulling loose, and tge coat was fine to be handed down once outgrown.
Use a short stitch length to attach them initially, then do the binding part as normal.
Good luck.

You could bind the shoulder seams, or I’ve shown here how I undid a bit of the quilting to tuck the edge under.
http://bartacksandsingletrack.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/a-pattern-to-make-product-to-be-proud-of.html

Rather than wearing it back to front, I’d move the closure to the front.
The front neckline will be a bit lower than the back, and in some patterns the armhole I shaped differently.
Add the placket allowances to the front bodice and remove them from the back. Cut two of the front bodice and cut the back bodice on the fold.
Hope that helps.

Hi @joslyn sorry for the delay in any reply.
Do you mean adding a gathered ruffle of organza to the lining, which will then show below the skirt hem?
Here’s how I would do that:
Calculate depth of ruffle – work out how much you want to see below the dress. Add 1/2 to 3/4 for a narrow or rolled hem.
Then add another 2 inches so that you can attach…[Read more]

@rleibman I love everything about this question!!!
If I’m right, you’re a bloke, making a quilted Star Trek jumpsuit?! Damn, that’s a high five right there!
The tutorial is great. I’ve never read a sewing tutorial written for men and the walking foot hamburger analogy is fantastic!
Anyway, to answer your question… Yes, they intend for you to use…[Read more]

Bump