Here's some of the colourful yo-yos I've been making lately. I'm going to make them into hairbands, but here's some other things they can be...
Here it is, my February contribution to the Refashion co-op! I would say there are two categories of refashion projects: The ones yo...
For as long as women have been sewing, they've been using embroidery to tell their own stories—often in societies that refuse to hear them otherwise.
As resolutions dance in the air, let us make a pact to infuse a sense of beauty and style into our lives. Immerse yourself in the ethereal beauty of the Zea
Affordable boho bohemian DIY projects. DIY bohemian clothing, DIY bohemian jewelry. Bohemian tutorials.
Do you know what is perfect for a rainy day? A playdate? Any sick day? Or a just-about-an-anything day? Homemade musical instruments! If you're not sure what to do with those little ones, making a homemade musical instrument band is the answer! There is so much fun to be had and amazing memories to be
I have just over a month to make an 18th century ensemble for myself. There's a Rococo picnic I want to attend happening at the end of April. At this moment, I have nothing quite acceptable to wear. My 18th century wardrobe currently consists of a shift, an under petticoat, a pair of shoes, and a white linen cap (not yet blogged). A few more layers are required for me to be a properly dressed Rococo lady. The stays I've been procrastinating on for well over a year? Yeah, those have got to happen. Now. And the gowns I've been dreaming of? It's time to make one reality. For the stays I've decided to use Simplicity 8579 - one of the 18th century patterns Simplicity produced as a collaboration with American Duchess. I'll be altering it somewhat to lace up in the front as well as the back, since back-lacing only stays sound difficult to put on one's self without assistance. Stays with lacing up both the front and the back are a historically accurate option and would seem to be more user-friendly. Picking the pattern was easy. Deciding to make the stays both front and back lacing was also easy. My procrastination has had nothing to do with either of these things, and everything to do with the next step of the project, possibly the most important part of the whole stay and corset making process - making the mock-up. I do not enjoy making mock-ups whatsoever. Now, I do know their value, and I've never regretted making a mock-up (and have regretted not making a mock-up), but I just generally don't like making them. Thus, I've avoided making my mock-up stays, and thus my actual stays as long as possible. Due to my immediate need of an 18th century outfit, my time of mock-up avoidance was forced to an end last week. I made my mock-up. Out of cardboard. 18th century stays are often fully boned, thus more rigid than a Victorian corset. Making a fully boned mock-up sounded tortuous. (This is part of the reason I've avoided making a stays for so long.) However, a few months ago, I learned in one of the 18th century sewing groups I'm a part of on Facebook, that non-corrugated cardboard (like the stuff cereal boxes are made from) works well for making stay mock-ups. The stiffness apparently nicely simulates the structure of fully-boned stays. This concept made the stay mocking-up process seem a lot more approachable. I just so happened to have two large sheets of this type of cardboard on hand. So last week I traced my pattern onto the cardboard, cut it out, taped it together, punched holes in the edges for lacing, and tried the cardboard stays on. They actually looked like stays! And they fit pretty darned decent! And took way less time to make than a fabric mock-up would have! There were only a couple small fit changes I needed to make. First I lowered the armscyes slightly so they wouldn't dig into my armpits. Then I took a bit of width off the top of the center front edge for better bust support. I laced myself back into the cardboard stays, and. . . They fit!! So now that the pesky mock-up stage is out of the way, I can cut out my actual stays, sew them up, then make this dress: A sacque-back gown, which will be machine sewn, in a rather inaccurate fabric. But, I'll tell you all about that later. Right now I'd better get to sewing all the boning channels on my stays!
Unique Dresses by a French Designer Are you looking for unique dresses for an event? Don’t choose your next evening gown without looking at these dresses.
I tried my hand at the Free Range Slacks pattern, for the first time ever. Here’s what I like most about this pattern and what went wrong.
knee length, folded collar, back button tab, with silk embroidery embellishment charcoal Matka silk (available from www.bblackand...
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It’s already six weeks into the new year. Lots of great things have happened. Lots of mediocre stuff happened too. Lots of very un-good and quite crappy stuff happened too. Life. This stitch piece I am working on is almost about the single-most joyful thing at the moment. And the Monday afternoon
Let's take a look at some ways to keep these wardrobe staples (pants) on trend this upcoming spring season!
Saint Laurent
This archive of Ann Williamson designs displays Ann's exquisite, one-of-a-kind clothing featuring beading, applique, and vintage kimono silks.
Unleash your inner artist with this sumptuous EcoVero viscose twill print, boasting a golden olive hue intertwined with dynamic floral scribbles. We sourced it from our favourite French heritage mill, and it's certified by Oeko-Tex STeP and FSC. It's also biodegradable at the end of its wearable life. With a finely textured hand, it's not too slippery to sew, has a gentle drape, and is lightweight, making it perfect for creating floaty dresses, blouses, and skirts. The viscose is fully opaque, so no lining is required.
This collection is comprised of the best crochet books! There is something for everyone from beginner to seasoned crocheters and in between!
Iris van Herpen, great Dutch fashion designer Marilyn Stevens Iris van Herpen - Ingrid Baars Snow White, The Huntsman Costume Iris van Herpen Iris van Herpen Azzadine
You'll look like a fluffy pink cloud. With ears.Price: $51
In a post crisis world, not only will it be impossible to buy clothes, you may also find it just as hard to buy material, patterns, and tools for making
Terry Macey British Handmade Clothing For over thirty years our family business has created stylish, timeless clothing in our Somerset studio, using only the best ethically sourced natural fabrics. Our vision is inclusive of all women; it is playful, inspired and honest. We welcome you to explore our
Can a shirt be elegant and just a wee bit quirky? Yes, absolutely. The Mathilda is a testament to such a great combination.
This regularly updated list of sewing events and style exhibitions is sure to inspire you to new levels of creativity in your work.
swansong-willows: (via Palazzo top, romantic hand embroidered, textile collage, wearable art…)
Signed by the author! Includes five full-scale printed sewing patterns in sizes UK 6-20 with multiple variations* Love at First Stitch offers a refreshing approach to dressmaking for modern makers. With jargon-busting tutorials and a down-to-earth attitude, the book takes you from the absolute basics of threading your sewing machine through to creating a wardrobe full of gorgeous clothes that you'll be proud to say you made yourself. Since the best way to learn is to get stuck in, Love at First Stitch starts you sewing straight away. Each chapter focuses on a project from one of the adorable garment patterns included with the book. You don't need to plough through a bewildering manual to work out how to make them - new techniques are introduced as and when you need them, so you can build your skills and confidence one project at a time. * Printed patterns are included in the back of the book, layered on double-sided sheets for tracing off. Or if you don't like tracing, you can download A4/Letter or A0 files to print at home or at a copyshop. The patterns included are: Margot pyjama bottoms Delphine skirt Megan dress Mimi blouse Lilou dress - Plus, instructions for drafting your own simple patterns for the Brigette scarf and Clemence skirt. Love at First Stitch is also available in Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, North American English, Norwegian and Swedish. Published by Quadrille (Hardie Grant) SaveSaveSaveSaveSave
