Nicole

Great! If it still doesn’t lie flat after a good pressing, maybe try hemming it again? If your machine tension is off that could make the hem wavy. I think it’s just one of those things that gets better with practice. Glad you’re having fun with it!

What kind of fabric did you use? Slippery fabrics are more difficult to hem then more stable fabrics, so maybe that had something to do with it? Also, a good pressing can often solve a wavy hem…

It’s pretty easy to shorten sleeves. Just decide where you want them to end, add a hem, and cut the sleeves at that point on the pattern piece. Or wait until you can try it on and decide how short you want them to be then. You can always pin them to see if you’re happy with the length.

Completely agree, Sarvi. In fact, I think I wrote something similar in this post: https://oliverands.com/community/blog/2014/12/ask-me-how-to-buy-a-sewing-machine.html

I’m going to go off course here and say that you should check Yelp and ask around in your local sewing community to see who the most reputable dealer/repair shop is, and look at the brand they sell. If anything goes hinky or you just need service done, you don’t want to have to ship your machine. Also a local dealer will often include a few free…[Read more]

I’m going to go off course here and say that you should check Yelp and ask around in your local sewing community to see who the most reputable dealer/repair shop is. If anything goes hinky or you just need service done, you don’t want to have to ship your machine. Also a local dealer will often include a few free lessons/machine orientation to…[Read more]

I find that I can’t be firing on all pistons at once. If I’m sewing a lot, I’m not knitting. If I’m knitting a lot, I’m not cooking, and so on. I too have been in a non-sewing phase for what feels like a long time. I have had half a Music Blouse on a hanger by my sewing desk for 6 months, no exaggeration. It may well not fit by the time I finish…[Read more]

I’m not sure I’m following you, @mrskanuckles. Can you clarify a bit?

Hmm, sounds like you need a trip to NYC! Actually, you could try calling the Fashion Directory, which is a free service. It’s a great resource: http://garmentdistrict.nyc/fashion/fashion-directory/

I hope that helps!

I agree; it’s perfectly fine to take a break until inspiration hits! I know I personally can’t always be sewing or I burn out. Take a break and try something different or don’t do anything at all for a while. And maybe when we have some new patterns out (soon) that will help???

Thanks, @markjebobarrhotmail-com. My understanding per the SVP reps is that their different brands are targeted like this:

Singer: entry-level/beginning sewist
Viking: more advanced/a little more expensive
Pfaff: more expensive and more features.

In the end I think it’s just important to buy a machine that feels good to you and comes from a…[Read more]

Very cute!

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! 😂

That looks like a good idea! Thanks for posting.

Those are great, Lightning! Thanks, and thanks for the love.

My preference is Bemberg: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Bemberg

Other types of rayon can be ok, too, but I prefer the hand feel of the Bemberg. Hope that helps!

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]