Todd Gibson

Is there any particular reason that you wish to use french seams?
I am with Melanie on this one,I am sure it could be done but it would be bulky.
How about lining the skirt?
~Nicole~

Cotton voile is lovely for a special outfit.
For everyday lining I use a cotton rich poplin.
Lots of pretty colours and it needs little pressing.

Happy to enable!
I blogged the construction so if you would like to ‘try before you buy’ http://www.flickr.com/photos/motherof5/sets/72157625559687392/
My 8 year old Lidia has only just stopped fitting in hers and whilst she is skinny she had quite a broad back and I generally cut the size 7 width in tops for her.
The skirt would be ever so easy…[Read more]

Oh this is so funny. I just came back from the fabric store and said to my husband, I am having trouble deciding which fabric I want to use.
Sarah Jane’s balloon fabric is perfect for a birthday party dress.
I am dreaming of a small scale animal print with a contrasting piping around arm neck and waist for a snappy casual dress ala the 1950s.
I…[Read more]

Lisa – I totally agree with you on growing up metric and I had the hardest time at the beginning of sewing with inches and fractions. It all looked so jumbled.
I would recommend finding a good ruler that has inches and all eight fractions marked and try and not think about if 1/4 inch is 0.6 or 0.7 cm any more.
I found my sewing was a lot more…[Read more]

I don’t have the pattern in front of me at present, but if memory serves correctly the notch at the top of the sleeve matches the front yoke instead of the shoulder. Hope that helps!

I buy my McCalls interfacing when I have a coupon,it is usually $12/m.
Well worth it.
~Nicole~

I like that Kona comes in so many colors, it’s not hard to find a shade that matches what I need. I don’t like that it’s SO wrinkly.

Kaufman claims it’s the same, and I imagine that they’d be careful about protecting the reputation of their brand:
http://www.swatchandstitch.com/all-about-kona/2010/9/21/what-is-kona-cotton.html

I read somewhere that the “Kona” at Joann’s isn’t the same as Kaufman’s. Anyone know about this?

Hi Gillibeanz!
Spotlight carry the Lisette fabric range, which is also designed by O+S. The Oliver +S fabric is not readily available here….. :-(. I think most of us buy it online from the US (places like QuiltHome and Fat Quarter Shop probably have the best range.) Some smaller places sell it too, and a couple of Aus online places stock…[Read more]

Hi Gillibeanz!
Spotlight carry the Lisette fabric range, which is also designed by O+S. The Oliver +S fabric is not readily available here….. :-(. I think most of us buy it online from the US (places like QuiltHome and Fat Quarter Shop probably have the best range.) Some smaller places sell it too, and a couple of Aus online places stock…[Read more]

Bumped -baby baby!

I’m fairly certain you wouldn’t need them–they’re really more of a design detail to define the shoulder/armhole than to hold the two layers together. Just be sure to smooth and pin and you should be fine without the topstitching. Can’t wait to see!

I’m fairly certain you wouldn’t need them–they’re really more of a design detail to define the shoulder/armhole than to hold the two layers together. Just be sure to smooth and pin and you should be fine without the topstitching. Can’t wait to see!

Thank you Corlee,that is so sweet of you and it made my day!
The forum is great and I always try and check in before making an o+s pattern for ideas and tips.
~Nicole~

Thank you Corlee,that is so sweet of you and it made my day!
The forum is great and I always try and check in before making an o+s pattern for ideas and tips.
~Nicole~

It is a bit hard to say……but it can always be added later if you do find it is shifting.
I am sorry not to be more help.
~Nicole~

I don’t think you have to stitch the seam on the shoulders if you are willing to press it back to shape.
I made these for a dear OS O+S chum and I hand stitched the seam in place http://www.flickr.com/photos/motherof5/7087015835/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/motherof5/6941047922/in/photostream/
~Nicole~

The only thing I suggest is that you practice changing the threads and sew on scraps first. I’m still new to mine, and I’ve had a few times where I was gung-ho and didn’t make sure my fabric was out of the way, and cut into my fabric and not at the seams 🙁 So I tend to sew without the knives until I need them, and go carefully when I do.…[Read more]