Thursday’s Book Review
Professional Sewing Techniques for Designers by Julie Cole & Sharon Czachor
Fairchild Publications, © 2009
Rating
5 stars = Shiny!
Description
A sewing manual that is anything but basic! While expensive, this book is worth every penny if you’re an aspiring dressmaker or designer. It teaches everything you need to know in a simple, easy-to-understand way.
Wednesday’s Project
Green Dotted Dress
This dress began when I fell in love with a dotted cotton print from Jo~Ann’s. It was cream with shades of aqua, teal, lime green, and a very dark green. The fabric was just so fun and lighthearted, with some of my favorite colors. I found a coordinating striped fabric that utilized the same colors, so I ordered some of both.
The pattern I chose was New Look 6886, and I modified view A. This is a simple sun dress with raglan cap sleeves, a gored skirt, and a bodice that’s gathered down the center front. I loved the style, and decided it would make a cute summer dress. I couldn’t get the sleeves to fit right, so I made it sleeveless with wide straps instead.
Closeup of the Dotted Dress
Tuesday’s Tips & Tricks: Easy Peasy Gathering
There are several methods available for gathering fabric. The method we’ll discuss today is gathering with a cord.
Until recently, I’d never used this technique. While writing an article that required an overview of different gathering methods, I finally experimented with using a cord to gather—and was pleasantly surprised at the results. It’s easy to do and it produces astonishingly even gathers. So let’s get started!
Monday’s Mish-Mash
Ideals Through the Ages
(Warning: This post contains images of classic art. If you’re allergic to the unclothed female body, please turn away now!)
It’s interesting how much you can learn about history from paintings of nude or semi-nude women. Today’s ideal woman is tall and slender with sleek muscle and no body fat whatsoever. But throughout much of history, the paragon of beauty was rather plump. You can see this in many paintings from the Renaissance and beyond.
Sunday’s Someday Project
Miniature Wedding Gown
A long time ago I had the idea to make and sell doll-sized replicas of wedding gowns, creating fashion dolls that resemble the bride. The idea never panned out, but I always wanted to try it just once, using my own wedding gown as the inspiration.
Last year, my grandmother gave me a red-headed Gene® doll—a vinyl fashion doll similar to Barbie® but much larger. Her hair is auburn, pulled back into a tight French twist. I have another doll of the same size: Rose from the film Titanic. Her features aren’t as delicate as Gene’s, but she has dark red hair that can be put up with tiny hairpins.
I am now retired from teaching sewing classes, but not from writing. This website is designed to help beginner and more advanced sewists alike!
You’ll find help with basic sewing, along with historical costuming and cosplay, home decor, fabric designing, doll costuming, organization, and even fashion sketching!
The blog section contains sewing hints and tips, book reviews, and studies of antique fashion plates. If you’re looking for something specific, use the categories and tags, or the search bar (top left). Still can’t find what you need? Contact me!
