Reeni

Are you looking for just fabric, or notions as well? Basically there is a few blocks, 37th and 38th between 7th and 8th, that can seriously stock you up for years. It is so much that there are places like Spandex House that only have stretchy material. Some will give you a price break for cash vs. credit. Paron, B & J and NY Elegant are some that…[Read more]

on paper for printing patterns, I use the back of my kids’ school papers, which are usually thin copy paper or mimeograph paper. (I think it is referred to as 20 lb.) To draft or make altered/combined patterns (like when I change the length/move the armscye etc.) I use the grey recycled paper that comes as packing material when you buy stuff from…[Read more]

I would love to see a backpack or a Secret Agent trench in this, so cute!

— your children nonchalantly tell their friends the costume of their fantasies is not a big deal, “my mom can make it.”
— Red carpet shows or Fashion Week is an onslaught of “Ohhh I want to make that, but that’s the wrong color/length/sleeve/print.”

Can I add my vote for a modern boy’s blazer pattern? The pattern I used for ds’ suit last winter (2013) came out looking kind of stodgy 80’s. He’s making noises about wanting to be like Doctor Who in a tweed suit and I’d trust Leisl to carry me through.

Can I add my vote for a modern boy’s blazer pattern? The pattern I used for ds’ suit last winter (2013) came out looking kind of stodgy 80’s. He’s making noises about wanting to be like Doctor Who in a tweed suit and I’d trust Leisl to carry me through.

Nicole that is my problem, it won’t let me get on anymore, as when I try to sign in it says my Yahoo account is essentially dead. I can’t even leave a reply in the help forum.

coton — cotton
cuir – leather
daim — suede
feutre — felt
laine — wool
soie — silk

this is what i remember from a very long-ago time of reading French Vogue… as of now tho, many terms are in English or close enough (acrilique, etc)… many times shopping for fabric where I don’t speak the language, I try to bring swatches or wear clothes in…[Read more]

this looks similar to the tool the train conductors use to punch the tickets on the commuter train… like a leather punch?
If so and it cuts through fabric I’d love to get one! the fancy hole punches sold for scrapbooking don’t work on fabric.

Yes! I have had skirts that just need an extra layer, whether for sheerness or for the itch factor. The easiest way is to blind-stitch the lining to the inside of the waistband. (skirt wrong side out, with the lining sticking upward, then flip down after sewing to prevent roughness. Then if you like, a few tacks on the bottom to the hem to keep…[Read more]

Yes! I have had skirts that just need an extra layer, whether for sheerness or for the itch factor. The easiest way is to blind-stitch the lining to the inside of the waistband. (skirt wrong side out, with the lining sticking upward, then flip down after sewing to prevent roughness.) I like acetate (China silk) or habotai, or rayon knit meant for…[Read more]

I am late replying to this thread, but a contemporary pattern with a Jackie O. feel is New Look Kids 6018 — a zip-back jumper with matching coat.
For a pillbox hat, the Bucket Hat from the O+S free patterns, without the brim, is perfect (for an 8 year old, try the 6 month size for it to sit on top of the head.) I made 22 of them for costumes…[Read more]

I made the Garden Party with longer sleeves just by extending the pattern piece in a straight line… it turns out less puffy because it lays closer to the arm. It’s in the Flickr photo pool but far back as it was last year’s Easter dress.

the armhole would work well with bias tape I think? Like the Fairy Tale view B? but not ready-made binding cut on the straight grain. You could alternatively do a facing and cut it out of any fabric.

I try to every so often separate my kids — boy is 10, girl is 6…
The simplest thing we do together is read a book — something with a girl character that her brother would not ever be into. Or we dance with big flouncy skirts on, or I let her do “makeover” — weird hairstyles, painting nails, doing crazy eye shadow patterns using the colors I’d…[Read more]

Regular tulle or bridal tulle is quite fine and softens to nothing in the wash… this is the stuff that you often see draped on canopies and church pews. You can use it for the fairytale dress but to make a difference in fluffiness after a few washings, it would be nice to have at least 3x the length of the main fabric skirt.

on the other hand,…[Read more]