Posts filed under “Sewing”
Puyallup Sewing and Stitchery Expo Review
On March 3, I went to the Sewing and Stitchery Expo at the Puyallup fairgrounds. It was my first time, so I didn’t know what to expect, but I had a good time. This is an enormous event with classes, shows and vendors. I attended two of the one-needle (cheapest) classes, which were helpful and [...]
New Brother XR 7700 Sewing Machine
Well, after a month of absolutely no crafting–not a stitch sewn nor knit–I feel like I’m ready to get back into the saddle. Helping me in this department will be my new sewing machine! This is a reconditioned Brother XR 7700, purchased from this eBay seller, whom I highly recommend. It has 69 stitches, seven [...]
Spiffy New Skill
Thanks to Pinterest, I recently ran across a tutorial on how to use the free graphics program Gimp to combine pictures of fabric with pattern line drawings. Wait. I feel like there were too many prepositions in that sentence. Let’s try again. I just learned how to put pictures of fabric and pattern line drawings [...]
Simplicity 2907 Pattern Review
Today, I made two versions of Simplicity 2907 for Gideon. I usually make his clothes two at a time, since they’re so miniscule. I made one in a retro doggy print reminiscent of one of this favorite books, All About Dogs, Dogs, Dogs, and the Very Little Dog, by Grace Skaar. The other is made [...]
“Clip to Stitching” Tutorial
My recent project, McCall’s 6512, requires a technique that may seem difficult to an inexperienced sewer. I call it “clip to stitching,” and the pattern directions state “Reinforce inner corner…clip to small dot.” Clip to stitching is necessary whenever you’re sewing a corner where there is no way to have a seam allowance. Essentially, you [...]
McCall’s 6512
My next project is McCall’s 6512, a blouse from their Palmer/Pletsch line, designed by Melissa Watson. I have several of her patterns, but I think this will be the first one I’ve sewn up. Given the volume of Palmer/Pletsch hype in the sewing community, I’m interested to see how well this will come together. I’m [...]
McCall’s Pattern Haul at Hobby Lobby
Can I tell you about Hobby Lobby? So, for years I had been hearing about this store called Hobby Lobby from crafty bloggers, but because I live in the Pacific Northwest, I had never seen one. Joann Fabrics and Michaels pretty much own the crafting market up here–there is one Ben Franklin crafts somewhere around, [...]
Book Review: Simplicity Fabric Guide
When I saw this on the “New Books” shelf at my local library, I wasn’t sure I wanted to check it out. I know quite a bit about fabric already, and the Internet is chock full of information for the intrepid searcher. But I grabbed it anyway, since I had some time to kill while [...]
Collars and button bands
So, it’s been forever since I lasted posted. I know you’ve been waiting with bated breath for the outcome on the collar stand, and I’m pleased to say it was a resounding success! I am officially deeming this tutorial The Great Enabler. It enabled me to sew not one, but four button-up shirts in four [...]
Butterick 5678 step 1: fit your paper pattern
The same force pushing me to sew black pants (the approaching school year) is also driving me to pursue collared shirts in a frenzy of pins, darts, and fusible interfacing. My chosen victim is Butterick 5678 , which features shoulder princess seams, a collar with a stand, and a classic cuff. If I can make [...]