Have you ever considered posting your own sewing diaries online? What kind of diary is best for your needs? How can you organize it, so it’s easy to read? What about taking good photos to illustrate your diary? This guide will help you get started!
New Article: Writing Your Own Sewing Diary
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Every sewing machine needs a cover, right? I bought an “easy” pattern to make a cover, but it ended up being anything but simple. This sewing diary follows my struggle to make a sewing machine cover.
Sewing Diary: Sewing Machine Cover
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I couldn’t find a new case for my Kindle Fire HD, so I decided to sew a custom slipcover to fit over the old case. My idea worked better than I’d hoped! Follow along in this diary as I design and assemble the cover.
Enjoy!
Here is an all-new “basics” tutorial. Learn how to thread your sewing machine, use an auto-threader for your needle, and how to wind and load a bobbin.
Basics: Threading Your Sewing Machine
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Saturday’s Stash, Special Edition: Antique Lace
This special edition of Saturday’s Stash isn’t going to feature any tips or tricks, since I am still learning how to work with fragile lace myself. I will attempt to make up for this lack by including photos of some truly scrumptious lace. . . .
My maternal grandmother was the reason I began sewing, especially doll clothes. She owned a large collection of vintage and antique dolls, for which she’d created exquisite wardrobes. When she died in August 2013, I inherited some of her sewing stash. Since I live on the opposite end of the country, I wasn’t able to bring any bolts of fabric home, but I was able to grab a box filled with lace. What a treasure it turned out to be!
Floral Net Lace
You may have read my tutorial for a quick and easy wrist pincushion. This one is even better! It features a rectangular pincushion and a wrist strap that fastens with Velcro. Follow along as I sew this pincushion, or make your own!
Sewing Diary: New Wrist Pincushion
Enjoy!
I just updated my portfolio, so you can see most of the doll clothes I’ve designed and sewn over the last year. I changed the format a little, so there’s better descriptions of each outfit. I added a list of important things I learned and mistakes I made while sewing each garment. The photos have been updated, as well. Enjoy!
Tuesday’s Tips & Tricks: Directional Stitching
There are lots of tricks you can use in making a high-quality garment. Surprisingly, many of these aren’t mentioned in pattern directions or taught in sewing classes—or if they are, their importance is glossed over. One such tip is directional stitching.
Never heard of it? You’re not alone. It’s mentioned in vintage sewing manuals, but sometime during the past few decades, the concept vanished. Today, it’s a method used mostly in couture sewing, but there’s no reason you can’t use it for everyday dressmaking.
So, what is directional stitching? It’s when you deliberately sew in a specific direction, following the grain of the fabric. Doing so reduces distortion and puckering. There’s also directional staystitching, which is important because it helps prevent bias-cut edges from stretching as you handle the garment you’re sewing. Let’s take a look at both techniques. Continue reading
Sunday’s Someday Projects: The Phantom of the Opera in Miniature—Masquerade
As you know, I’ve been sewing miniature versions of the costumes from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of The Phantom of the Opera. These costumes are for Gene Marshall, a 15.5″ fashion doll. So far, I’ve finished the Hannibal ballet costume, the “Think of Me” skirt, and the “Point of No Return” dress. Another one I’d like to make is Christine’s pink and blue Masquerade costume.
Masquerade Costume ~ Fashion Sketch by Lisha Vidler
Follow along as I create an empire-waisted ballgown for Gene Marshall, a 15.5″ fashion doll. The original design includes a matching petticoat and shawl.
Gene’s Empire Ballgown: A Sewing Diary
Enjoy!
