meleliza

Thanks for the feedback – we did go through with it in the end! It was fun if a little over the top. Most people did not dress up as much as the maid of honor had in mind when she planned this classy event. I’m sure we’ll both wear the dresses again but maybe not together. I failed to get any good photos at all! It was crowded, busy and the sun…[Read more]

So I only finally started on these vests on Monday, but they’re already nearly finished! I only have to sew on the buttons and stitch the back closed. I was shocked at how fast the welt pockets went. I lined both vests up and worked assembly line style. I had really wanted to get them all to Santa for pictures in their new Christmas finery and…[Read more]

Also some plastic needlepoint canvas, blunt needles and yarn to practice the in and out of stitching.

Thanks Nicole, that’s kind of you to say. I like having your feedback too.

Maybe cord lined in flannel? Super cozy.

I think this is totally salvageable, though for a better analysis, it’s good to have photos from the front, side and back, standing naturally.

It looks as if she might need a smidge more room in the bust, based on the diagonal wrinkles pointing from the sides to the bust apex. That you can’t fix at this late stage, however, you can most certainly…[Read more]

How did it look on?

The conventional wisdom is to end the dart further away from the apex the bigger the bust. My problem with that is that a larger dart needs more length to taper off nicely. I end mine much closer to the apex than any books suggest. It’s more of a vintage look and it looks better than a dimple! Another trick is to curve the very end of the dart…[Read more]

I always make ice cream in one color, actually. I find Roller skate just a smidge faster, but once you get the hang of Ice cream, that goes quick too. This fall, I made ice cream out of navy cord. it layers nicely with long sleeves underneath or a sweater on top. but i think it would work equally well all in linen for the summer. I find Roller…[Read more]

I always make ice cream in one color, actually. I find Roller skate just a smidge faster, but once you get the hang of Ice cream, that goes quick too. This fall, I made ice cream out of navy cord. it layers nicely with long sleeves underneath or a sweater on top. but i think it would work equally well all in linen for the summer. I find Roller…[Read more]

That’s not German. Dutch? or something similar. But I often stitch the lining right into the zipper with the machine too. Why not? It’s the benefit of an invisible zip.

I’m trying to sew up a Bistro dress before Sunday. Placing the lace overlay is going a little slower than I thought. And a matching little girl dress. Oh, and I’m hosting a dinner…[Read more]

That’s not German. Dutch? or something similar. But I often stitch the lining right into the zipper with the machine too. Why not? It’s the benefit of an invisible zip.

I’m trying to sew up a Bistro dress before Sunday. Placing the lace overlay is going a little slower than I thought. And a matching little girl dress. Oh, and I’m hosting a dinner…[Read more]

I typed out my whole reply and then it must have been eaten up! I’m just realizing it’s not here.

Anyway, I made these up in the testing phase and remember I had to read the pocket instructions several times to get it right. I had basted them together to try on and thought they were really big, so I took them in a little. Only to discover that…[Read more]

If time is of the essence, I would consider the cinema dress. You won’t have to draft significant alterations and the princess seams allow you to fit it right on the body and get away with skipping the muslin. I don’t see why you couldn’t substitute a zipper for the buttons, would would be quicker too. You could also skip the pockets. It has the…[Read more]

Yes, Fit for Real People is an essential – however, if she doesn’t like to follow directions (is she a middle child?;) ) she will probably find it too much. It’s extremely dense and all the examples are really really dated.

I suggest the Colette handbook. I think it has enough detail to take you from beginner to intermediate, but it’s not too…[Read more]

I’m concerned that a floor length Bistro dress wouldn’t give her enough room to walk/play. You couldn’t simply lengthen it, you would have to alter the shape of the skirt by slashing and spreading it. I agree that the attache dress would be more appropriate for concert wear. It’s also extremely easy to fit and sew because of the princess seams.…[Read more]

Thanks, these are all good points. He is long everywhere, but more so in the legs than torso. He looks like a racehorse running across the soccer field! Upper body clothes seem to last much longer than pants, so hopefully 2″ will not spoil the vest and also last him a couple years. I started cutting it to work on over the holiday weekend, but got…[Read more]

Yes, I would add a little length to the yoke as well as plenty of length at the hem. You should add the same length to the back yoke as the front. However, be careful to do this below the arm hole so you don’t interfere with how this fits. I think if you measure down say 1/2″ from the bottom of the armholes on the front and back pieces, draw a…[Read more]