Nicole

So funny because as I stared at the pattern and envisioned what I wanted, I realized that because it is a folded piece, it would be too bulky. So I cut the pattern below the fold line and I spread it like a “bell shaped” sleeve instructions. Because of where it sits on the dropped sleeve, that should do the trick.

On an interesting side note,…[Read more]

Thanks Heidi, I knew it was there somewhere but was too busy to hit the search.
Cybele, I think those sleeves need a flounce not a ruffle in order to get the fluttery effect you’re after.

Flounce is cut in a circular arc while gather is straight cut. One edge of the flounce is the same length as the edge it is to be sewn to while the other is longer, like a semi circle . A gather has both edges are parallel and the same length.
Sort of like the difference between a gathered skirt (apple picking ruffle) and the skirt of the…[Read more]

So,…. You’re planning on keeping the dropped shoulder sleeve head the same, just changing the attached sleeve portion, is that right?
I wonder if it might be better to keep it single layer and have a narrow or rolled hem on the end of the sleeve. A double layer might be too heavy to “flutter” – flappy and saggy are not really what you want…[Read more]

A flounce? I am not sure what you mean? I can’t envision!

Flutter sleeves on the Chai tee sound lovely. I would go the whole hog and make a flounce rather than a gathered sleeve (unless that is the look you want). I think a flounced sleeve hangs much nicer than a plain gathered sleeve. Although a gathered sleeves would be very on trend!
Look foward to seeing it 🙂

You certainly can fit a hood into the Forest Path Cape. I’ve added a collar, and I know someone’s added a full hood to the Woodland Stroll Cape (the grown up version).
But….. What you really need is the Red Riding Hood Cape from the book Little Things to Sew. It has a hood, single front button closure, lovely little hand slits and really nice…[Read more]

Sounds like a job for your local service center! I know nothing about machines or sergers and can’t offer any help or suggestions, but I do know that it’s enormously beneficial to have someone knowledgeable who can service your machines. It’s a good idea to have them tuned up and serviced every year at the minimum and worth every penny in…[Read more]

Yes, you are right! There is an error in the length measurement. We’re so sorry about that. We’ll issue an errata and update the pattern shortly. But in the meantime, the correct length measurements for the bodysuit should be:

• 0-3 M: 15.75″
• 3-6 M: 17.75″
• 6-12M: 18.75″
• 12-18M: 20″
• 18-24M: 21.5″

Hi @speeedymog! I just installed a magnetic snap in a bag I’m making. The instructions said to cut out a silver dollar sized piece of fusible fleece, thin cotton batting, fleece, felt, etc. to put behind the snap in addition to regular interfacing on the fabric, which you’ve already done. I think it gives the fabric a little extra strength and…[Read more]

Hi @Mima! This isn’t exactly answering your question, but what about using the Girl on the Go dress pattern instead? It looks quite similar in style to the Chai Tee (the sleeves are almost identical, it seems), is already dress length, and comes in teen sizes. You could maybe even add a some width to the shoulders to make the little pleats, like…[Read more]

Hi @ischyrus Steven. I wonder if it would be as simple as sewing the collar stand without the collar.
That may give more of a Mandarin collar look rather than the image you’ve shown.
That image has the collar band lying very flat and almost looks like the neckline is finished with a bias.
If you use scraps (just cut a neckline and shoulders) you…[Read more]

So it sounds like the pocket edge either stretched a bit during construction or pocket is slightly smaller than the front skirt. You could try ripping out the side seam at the spot where the pocket meets the side seam and below and pull the front skirt a bit tighter before re-sewing it. In other words, leave the panel above the pocket as is but…[Read more]

Short answer, yes. Long answer: I seem to recall another thread where this was discussed at length.
I’ve only made one hide and seek with the notch but it was a linen type weave and on the very first washing it all frayed around that notch. Maybe I’d clipped too close, but that was certainly a fabric where interfacing both sides of the yoke would…[Read more]

I find they flatten out just fine. Much better in fact than a baking paper tracing, or the printer paper if you’re using a PDF pattern. – one of the reasons I even trace home printed PDF patterns.
Just whatever you do, do not (NOT!) try and iron the trace and Toile!! 🙂

Hi Kathy @kjmcinerny , sorry for the late reply.
I tend to trace all my patterns, including the BBD block on thin interfacing (known as Trace and Toile, and similar to Swedish tracing paper).
Then I store each pattern tracing in a clear plastic sleeve in a ring binder.
I have all my ring binders labelled with which patterns are in them and it’s…[Read more]

Glad you like it! I forget how much exactly, but I think it’s just moved forward 1/2″ It just gives a better fit, in my opinion. You can check the distance by laying the garment flat from the underarm seam. It’s not really a big deal, I just think it looks better when it’s worn.

Tamara,

Last year we upgraded our PDF delivery module. The upgrade provides a more robust and flexible method for delivering PDFs, but one of the things we lost was that single consolidated list of all PDFs you had ever purchased that used to appear on your order history page. (It’s been gone for almost a year now, and this is the first question…[Read more]

Ha ha! I go out of my way to avoid all celebrity gossip and even I haven’t been able to avoid that news! What about something inspired by one of William and Katherine’s kids’ outfits? (I hope I got their names right?) I’ve seen a few photos of some really cute clothes–and they qualify and prince and princess, right?