In the second draping course at New York Fashion Academy we are draping a 6-gore skirt, tracing it onto a flat pattern, and then sewing it up to confirm that we have transferred all of the seam lines correctly. Gored skirts are not something I usually make. I think I tend to wear A-line or … More Draping II – the saga continues
I’m looking to craft delicate, breathable garments inspired by the slow emergence of spring. … More Spring 2017 – Sewing Plans and Mood Board
Tuesday is fast becoming my favorite day of the week. Not only is is not-Monday, but it is draping day! The skills I am learning are basic but they open new creative doors every week. Draping Week 2 – Yoke and Gathers I am that student that always shows up early to class. But last … More Draping at New York Fashion Academy (continued)
‘There is nothing like first-hand evidence.’ – Sherlock Holmes, A Study in Scarlet Some sewing projects include so many unknown factors that I don’t feel comfortable starting until I have conducted a little background research. In the case of the Watson Jacket by Papercut Patterns, I was faced with a new garment type (outerwear), a new-to-me pattern … More Waston Coat Investigation
Ladies, why is it that the articles of clothing that we have the most frustration with — e.g. pants and bras — are the clothes many of us have been most reluctant to tackle? Maybe it is because bras and jeans seem like architecture or engineering. I am here to tell you that this soft … More My first self-made bra
One of my 2017 sewing goals was to explore a path to a career that uses my sewing and design skills. Today I took the first of many steps in expanding my sewing and garment design knowledge so that I can more adequately address that career question. The evening started with a great parking spot … More Draping I – Day 1
In the spring of 2014 I bought fabric to make my first pair of jeans. In 2015, Gillian dared me to finish the Ginger Jeans and I managed to make a non-stretch muslin in January 2016. This confirmed that the size I chose to make wasn’t too far off and that pants weren’t as scary … More Previously on….Sewing Ginger Jeans
Happy Way-back Wednesday! Last Christmas I was given a sewing box full of thread and sewing notions that had belonged to Greg’s grandmother. It was fun to pick through it and compare prices, see brands that have persisted and brands that I’ve never heard of, and learn about sewing “back in the day”. … More Vintage Sewing Notions
I originally wrote about my pattern organizing system when I installed this expandable drying rack in our condo was back in 2014. Recently it caught a few eyes on Instagram, so I thought I would share an update for new readers and anyone looking to do a little spring cleaning in their sewing room. I am happy to report that 3 years … More The best pattern organizer for your sewing room!
Winter is hanging on with a tight grasp. A local news station reported that Seattle had only three “mild sunny days” since October. We’ve had a few more partly sunny days, but that gray sogginess continues to drain my energy. One upside to the gloom is it gives me more time to wear my hand-knit accessories. And … More Starshower Cowl – FA 2017.02
