meleliza

That’s exactly the point of the FBA. You’re small/narrow in the shoulders but need room in other places. Shoulders, neck and back are more difficult to adjust, so we pick sizes to fit those parts and adjust for the others. Even though this is a loose fitting style, there isn’t a ton of room in the waist and hips, so you will need to grade out to…[Read more]

I was about to say that I followed the FBA instructions faithfully – though they are not the typical ones – and had very good results. But then I noticed there’s more ease built into the larger sizes than the size 2. Do you measure a size 2 in the waist and hips as well? I’m thinking that maybe you cut the size 4 and do the 3/4″ FBA. There are no…[Read more]

Unless the fabric is very thick, there’s no drawback at all. Why would there be a drawback? But you don’t need them in the bodice, just the skirt. I use them for the sleeves too, though, something I learned from the heirloom sewing crowd. And, if you cut the skirt in one big piece, then you only need to seam the center back. Even easier.

Unless the fabric is very thick, there’s no drawback at all. Why would there be a drawback? But you don’t need them in the bodice, just the skirt. I use them for the sleeves too, though, something I learned from the heirloom sewing crowd. And, if you cut the skirt in one big piece, then you only need to seam the center back. Even easier.

My school days coat is on its second owner and I haven’t actually had issues with the leather coming out. It is tricky for my son to fasten. Also, I didn’t use interfacing on the front facings on the coat and it hangs a little too limply. I don’t remember if I skipped it or whether the instructions didn’t call for it, but if I made another, I…[Read more]

One size 4 Fairy tale dress from exactly one yard of 60″ wide fabric, sleeves, collar and all! The trick is to cut the skirt selvedge to selvedge in one piece. The size 4 skirt is exactly 60″ wide, so it worked perfectly. But if you’re short on fabric, I think it would work for size 5 and 6 too, it would just be a little less full. After that I…[Read more]

One size 4 Fairy tale dress from exactly one yard of 60″ wide fabric, sleeves, collar and all! The trick is to cut the skirt selvedge to selvedge in one piece. The size 4 skirt is exactly 60″ wide, so it worked perfectly. But if you’re short on fabric, I think it would work for size 5 and 6 too, it would just be a little less full. After that I…[Read more]

It’s a good thing too, because the front is a really unusual shape and the FBA instructions included are specific to this pattern and not like any I’ve ever seen before. But as I said, it does work very well.

I love the color selection. I’ve never seen them before. My middle son prefers snaps on his sleepover pajamas, so these may come in handy there too.

I love the color selection. I’ve never seen them before. My middle son prefers snaps on his sleepover pajamas, so these may come in handy there too.

What age does universal preK start where you are? Is that a government service? I’m just curious. But yes, it looks like those single patterns will be useful. I will probably be making bloomers and playground shorts for my girl this spring. She’s much more active now and will need something under the dresses.

What age does universal preK start where you are? Is that a government service? I’m just curious. But yes, it looks like those single patterns will be useful. I will probably be making bloomers and playground shorts for my girl this spring. She’s much more active now and will need something under the dresses.

You’ve probably already considered the weather. It’s always an issue here. My son will make his communion in June, but other classmates do it as early as April. While June will more than likely be warm, April is unpredictable. For June, I would lean toward linen for comfort. Then again, my 3 year old already knows exactly what she wants, so I can…[Read more]

I use French seams. A little tricky at the casings, but I trim them carefully inside the casings. Or, use regular seam above the casing and transition to French seams below. After the fact, you could sort of wrap them under and stitch to secure them, or fold them inside each other in a sort of faux French seam.

If your fabric is not directional, you can get a size 7 Roller skate dress out of just under a yard of 45″ fabric. Just turn the pieces in opposite directions and they can nestle.

I just use the regular old Dritz kind. I tend to buy a pack whenever notions are on sale at Joann so I have them on hand. There are jeans versions and pearl studded versions too. A starter pack comes with a snap setter to use with your hammer and then I just keep buying the same size.…[Read more]

I just use the regular old Dritz kind. I tend to buy a pack whenever notions are on sale at Joann so I have them on hand. There are jeans versions and pearl studded versions too. A starter pack comes with a snap setter to use with your hammer and then I just keep buying the same size.…[Read more]

I took the couture sewing with Susan Khalje last year and it was life changing. I continue to use many many of the techniques she teaches, though I rarely go full blown with all of them. After all, as she says, couture doesn’t worry about how much fabric you use or how much time it takes, but I mostly do have those constraints. 🙂

I don’t know about “older” exactly, but my 2 1/2 yo is already growing out of size 3. So I imagine we’ve got a few years of bloomers ahead of us but we’ve long grown out of the tea party pattern I have. If she’s anything like her brothers, even the large size tea party wouldn’t last for us for long. So I guess a 12 year old may not want them, but…[Read more]

I would be inclined to slightly cover the waist seam, but not to flatten out the gathers. I guess it depends on what kind of trim you use and what looks good to you.