Masha Richart

I am having to follow on my phone now, my husband tipped a glass of wine in my laptop and it is obviously tee-total.

The tech guru is hopeful he can save my photos.

I am having to follow on my phone now, my husband tipped a glass of wine in my laptop and it is obviously tee-total.

The tech guru is hopeful he can save my photos.

I think I can help. I do this for my Twins as they have tiny waists and curvy botties.

#1 Unpick the back waistband about two inches either side of the centre back seam.
#2 Unpick the centre back seam as far as needed.
#3 Try on jeans and re-fit, pinning out excess.
#4 Re-sew centre back seam, fit again, adjust, trim, neaten and topstitch.
#5 Cut…[Read more]

That is soooo cute!

I’m so with you on that one @meleliza! I keep a few baskets with the larger pieces and they’ve become all sort of fun projects and trims on other projects. I’ll often cut and prepare bias trim with the scraps so it’s ready when I need it. Remaining scraps go to a painter friend who uses them to wipe his brushes or to local schools for art classes.…[Read more]

That sounds very pretty, Reeni.

These are all great ideas, thank you! I think the patches are too big for a strap for a child (they’re about the size of my palm) but I bet if I made a messenger bag for my husband they’d work great for that.

And yes, a vest or messenger bag would be spot on, and could be used both as part of a costume and as part of more regular gear.

Thanks!…[Read more]

Yes, Sarvi! A few years ago I purchased a pattern and yardage for a pair of PJ pants from a well-known pattern company that’s well respected within the industry. It was meant to be a very quick sew for my sister, who was about to be hospitalized and needed some TLC. And I could have just cried with frustration when the yardage was more than 1/2…[Read more]

Very well explained, Todd!

Actually, there’s one piece of the puzzle that Todd hasn’t included in his description of the process and which would certainly account for a discrepancy between the yardage chart and the minimum amount of fabric you actually need. That piece is this: I try to use one cutting layout for as many sizes as possible. I…[Read more]

Actually, there’s one piece of the puzzle that Todd hasn’t included in his description of the process and which would certainly account for a discrepancy between the yardage chart and the minimum amount of fabric you actually need. That piece is this: I try to use one cutting layout for as many sizes as possible. I could alter the layout for each…[Read more]

Oops, looks like I missed the controversy. Hope folks were able to smooth things over! It is such fun to ‘shop’ on another person’s behalf 🙂 Johanna now I will be picturing cowboy boots in the shower, haha, though I confess I was thinking more of a low bootie in suede, with a kitten heel perhaps?

@maraya thanks for your thoughtful response to my post.

I’m glad there are people who understand that the old adage “penny wise, pound foolish” still holds true. We want our patterns to give everyone a sewing experience from start to finish that exceeds their expectations. We know that the most important commodity in most people’s lives today is…[Read more]

Thanks @georgeandizzy. I’m not sure if that’s it or not. They’ll often do a special printed display just for the brand. Has anyone else seen anything like that?

Sorry if this is really obvious to the North Americans, but why wouldn’t a red shawl work in May/spring? In Australia there aren’t really any guidelines for what colours to where at what time of year, although red and green together do say “Christmas”.
And why not tights and boots in spring if it’s still cold enough for them?
On a 10ºC (50F) day…[Read more]

….I just did the conversion – 50F is 10C – that is seriously middle of winter at its worst for me, and for anyone else who lives in a moderate climate. I’d be moving if 50F was a normal summer temp!

I’d go a dress in a pretty floral fabric (and you do Liberty so well, MC!) – long sleeves and a cardi – and seconding Nicole’s call for a singlet.…[Read more]

I tend to sew the tab with a smaller then usual seam allowance, trim well and trim off the corners. If you can’t find tweezers scissor ends wrapped in a bit of tape will work too.

Oh, the locking kind? Those get a great grip.

Why would we recommend a spring dress to somebody who’s specifically said she’s concerned about getting cold? That would be so weird? Apologies if you were asking for Irish spring wedding and I misunderstood! I was replying to mcholley — different circumstances, different person, different needs.