NanaMar

Hi, Nancy I have made many of the jackets, using quilting cotton for one side and various fabrics for the reverse – linen-cotton (Essex), lightweight tartan brushed shirting (poly/cotton), sweatshirt fleece, french terry, cotton interlock, and cotton ponte. When I use a heavier fabric, I trim the shoulder darts so that the bulk is reduced. I’ve…[Read more]

Hi, Amy

I have not done very much sewing in knits but I did sew this pattern in a stretchy knit and found a couple of tricks useful. WRT the buttonholes, I interfaced both the placket areas, i.e. bodice side and the lining side and I added another stabilizing piece of woven non-slippery ribbon (or twill tape) to both inside placket areas as my…[Read more]

Liesl,
The floral at Harts Fabrics is not the one on the McCalls pattern – sorry!
Marlene

Hi, Liesl
I found the Quilt Illusions black floral double knit at:
harts fabrics.com
Cheers, Marlene

What good news, Todd! What a wonderful gift you have given your friend, Liesl!

I have a book recommendation for you: His Whole Life by Elizabeth Hay, a Canadian author from Ottawa, the story of a ten year old boy who lives in New York City and summers in Ontario with themes of loss, forgiveness and love – lots of love, set in the 1990’s during…[Read more]

Hi from Gabriola Island

I found the twin of the ruler you stock, Liesl – a C-thru 6″ with both inch and metric markings, perfect for those of us in metric countries:

http://www.dickblick.com/items/55618-1006/

Hi, Rebecca

I found this site online – seems to fit your requirements:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/C-Thru-B-95-English-Metric-Beveled-Ruler-18-calibrated-in-16ths-to-the-inch-/121924607938?hash=item1c6345dfc2:m:mj_YbXwu5LkWmrvG83LT9AA

Cheers, Marlene

Some patterns may be written to include two gathering lines within the seam allowances but most of the ones I have used have one line of gathering inside the allowance and one outside to control the gathers when you sew the seamline. The threads for the line that shows are removed after the seam is sewn. I learned this technique in Home Economics…[Read more]

Pinwale corduroy would be a cosy choice for this pattern with perhaps a voile or lawn for the yoke lining and bias at the shoulder (cuts down a bit on bulk).
Hope this helps.

Have you considered waistband elastic – the 2 inch wide, soft, coloured elastic from Dritz? I use it on circle skirts and have used it on a a Music Class skirt as well.

Good morning, NZ

I found a few patterns that might help you re-create your coat.
Two of them are Simplicity Project runway out-of-print ones.
First, the girl’s coat pattern that reminded me of your coat:

Simplicity 2534 which goes up to Girls size 14, and

Simplicity 2508 which has a super collar

Use this link to get to Simplicity Creative…[Read more]

Good morning, NZ

I found a few patterns that might help you re-create your coat.
Two of them are Simplicity Project runway out-of-print ones.
First, the girl’s coat pattern that reminded me of your coat:

Simplicity 2534 which goes up to Girls size 14, and

Simplicity 2508 which has a super collar

Use this link to get to Simplicity Creative…[Read more]

I don’t have the Everyday Skirt pattern but I assume the hem is a turned one and one could use a gathering thread along the fold line of the turned hem, press the fold in, and with the hem turned up, gently pull the gathers to fit the curve wherever needed, pin in place then press again and sew by hand or whatever method the instructions suggest.…[Read more]

Good morning, Mel
I would try leaving one of the side seams unsewn, both lining and outer fabric, sew the hem together and turn the poncho to the right side. You will end up with a donut shape with a “slit” in it, i.e. the open side seam. Then join that open side seam right sides together as far as you can go (you should be able to get all but 10…[Read more]

I make my own piping, using Cro-sheen and cotton fabric (pre-washed). This makes a finer piping than the piping available at my local fabric store here in Canada.

Hi, Jenni I would love the Music Box Jumper, size 5-12, if it hasn’t already been spoken for. Thanks, Marlene – email is: svkasala@gmail.com

The dress is going to be superb if your teaser is any indication. Can’t wait to see it!

I had a look at the pattern instructions at HEM AND ATTACH THE POCKETS. If your fabric is the same on the outside as the inside, i.e. chambray, consider turning the pocket hem to the outside with the lace edge tucked in before topstitching then continue with step two as written. If your fabric has a right and wrong side you could create a separate…[Read more]

Good morning, kmac0107. I used a narrow zigzag in thread matching the lace (didn’t change the bobbin colour) to hold the outer edge down. I was concerned that the lace would curl up and need ironing which doesn’t always happen in busy households, especially with pjs! I also washed and ironed the lace before sewing it on.

How about pockets in the side seams? I think the flap pocket position is too small and too high for useful pockets.