Nicole

I would love to see some good quality sewing needles. I do like a bit of hand sewing (and soon to venture into the hand quilting world!). Also, glass head pins!

http://www.dandeliondrift.com/2014/07/25/croquet-dress-flip/

Here is one without the elastic.

I have one I inherited from my Grandma and I’ve only ever used it for heavy oaktag, so I’m sure it wouldn’t be effective on fabric by now. But I hadn’t ever considered using one on fabric until now. Nicole, please do show us what you use! Is it something you’d like to see us carry? I’m very curious.

And while we’re talking about tools, is there…[Read more]

Can you show me pics of the ones you use??

How about the Roller Skate dress? Eliminate the elastic waist; it may work for you.

Glad you got it Nicole! I was such a slacker taking so long to send it off.

I thought they were only for using when you designed your own patterns and you cut notches in the tissue! Are you saying they work to cut out notches in fabric?? If so, I am definitely getting some!

Here it is. It wasn’t the most invisible of invisible zippers

I think the problem with a button placket would be that it will need to cross the waist seam. Since the bodice and waistline are fairly fitted I’m not sure a partial button placket would allow you to get the waist past shoulders or hips.
My very first fairy tale dress was a sheer crinkly fabric which I underlined and then lined. It wasn’t any more…[Read more]

Thank you so much everyone!

I have used blind cord before and that works well. I had some on hand from making roman blinds and it was just the right size.

I make my own using (smooth, not tweedy) kitchen twine, as that’s what I happened to have on hand when I first tried it, and I liked it so much I kept using it. I cut my bias to 1.25 inches and then I can line up the raw edge of the bias with the raw edge of the fabric and use a 1/2 in seam as normal. Works very nicely.

Thank you both for your replies. I do agree that Oliver+s patterns are great lessons themselves! Pardon me for I did not provide much details in my question earlier. I am a beginner sewist. I would love to gain knowledge on all basic skills like seam finishes, zipper installation, adding lining to dresses etc. Would love to know about adding…[Read more]