Hi,
The dress forms in the pictures are so called "professional dress forms", which has a collapsible shoulder. I so much wish mine had a collapsible shoulder, because it is often really hard to manage pulling a project over the shoulder area of my dress form. There are many different brands of these. Wolf is one, seems to be very highly regarded, but quite expensive. PGA is another, these you can get a quite fair prices on eBay, and I think they have a factory outlet at least in Los Angeles. Their come in black or white. My dress form is made of a plastic shell, with a synthetic cover, and dials to alter it's size. I ended out padding it and giving it a proper cover, so now it is not very adjustable anymore, so if I were to get a new one, I would probably go for an ordinary one, as I like the much better padded surface so much better and most of the adjustable ones have only a thin layer of foam as padding, not batting, and their covers are often not very nice. I gave mine first a cover of fine muslin-like fabric, then one made of sweatshirt fleece on top. Threads had an article on pro dress forms, think it was about Wolf forms. They are made from paper mache (!), layers of layers, then sanded etc. before it they're covered in batting and given that perfect [Scottish, I think] linen cover (they apply water on it after it's sewed onto the form, which causes it to shrink to that taut, perfect fit!). Roxy is also a brand which seems real reasonable. You can get a full body form there, even with an arm) at $379 which I think wouldn't even pay for one of the ones in the article from e.g. Wolf. But, even professional forms comes in different qualities, some are better than others etc., but for most hobby sewers, I would think even the cheap ones are usable for a long time. I would have loved having one with a butt, so I could use it to drape pants... I would surely NOT get one of the adjustable ones which they say can be used for that, because their shape is just so different from a real human, I wouldn't trust it at all. I would have to get either one of the pro ones or one of those which aren't pro ones, but they do have batting. I just saw some like that at only $75 on eBay. They are often used for display and they probably aren't as durable, they don't have a collapsible shoulder etc., but on a low budget, they sure must be an alternative...

Thanks a lot, what a super tutorial! :)

Thanks for a great tutorial! This sure is a great way to add detail to any garment if you love a simple and stylish look - sort of a bit in the "Less is More" way! :) I can see though how a couple of the steps may be confusing to some, something some others comment on too. In step 4 you're supposed to serge/zig-zag the raw edges, but the picture doesn't show only that, it also shows the topstitching (which you supposedly haven't done yet). The tutorial would be much better if the picture in step 4 was edited (in Photoshop or similar), simply remove the topstitching by cloning the white fabric and by cloning "erasing" the topstitching so that white fabric takes it's place.
Thanks again!

Thanks a lot, this was a great tutorial! Bookmarked so I can look it up again when I'll try it the first time! :)

I hope it is OK to comment on another posters post here...

AutumnBlonde, while writing my own post, I was thinking about the same things as you too. It made me think of a video I watched on YouTube, one you easily could think was taken ages ago, but it is not, it is current. A good reminder for us who are blessed enough to live in the part of world we live in, having the facilities we have. I just thought you would enjoy watching this sewing video from an African country: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIYz9QPtwVE

Take care! :)

When it comes to sewing, I must say that what I'm the most grateful for, is the Internet! I can't help but stop and wonder sometimes, how it is so amazing and fantastic how we now can share things with eachother, without geography or other things being boundaries and hinders. I think it is so amazing how I can sit here, in my living room in Norway, and be able to learn and get inspired by other people from all over the world - e.g. you guys at Threads in the US! I recently took up my old sewing hobby after a long break, and I'm just enjoying myself so immensely. It is just so wonderful to be able to create and see new and unique things evolve before your eyes! I have a lot of health challenges, which makes many things difficult to do, but with the Internet, even when I have my "down time", I can enjoy sewing, just in a different way than when I'm making something myself. Reading on this site and all the other sites out there, doing Google searches and go where it leads me, gives me so many wonderful sewing experiences. Sewing now sure isn't what it used to be! And I learn something new every single day! Being able to enjoy this wonderful network of people and information, just is fantastic way beyond what words can express. And (for the most part), the Internet really seems to being out the best in people. Who hasn't, the past few decades, heard people talk about how people used to always help eachother before, that much of this got lost over time. That everybody have more than enough with themselves and the ones closest to them? That society has gotten colder etc? How people do not have "dugnad"'s anymore ("dugnad" is a Norwegian word which means that people go together to help others, without expecting anything in return, e.g. helping with redecoration or building a home or something in the community. I'm using that word since I never found an equivalent word in the English dictionary/vocabulary). Well, if much of that got lost, a new way of helping eachother sure has evolved, reviving the "dugnad" and collaborative effort spirit in people, only now it happens on the Internet. It is fantastic to see all the wonderful articles on Wikipedia (also about sewing!), all the super picture tutorials, video tutorials on YouTube and other sites and all the Internet communities where people turn to each other and pitch in to share knowledge and joys as well as challenges! Sadly not everybody in this world have this wonderful possibility, e.g. many people in Africa (Malawi, Zambia etc.) and other places where not even running water, let alone electricity or computers, is an option for many or most people... Thinking of that, just makes me even more thankful for what I have, including the experiences this gives me! It's amazing when I think of all the people I have "met" because of it the past 14-15 years... :) Right now I'm also so thankful for all the great ideas the last issue of Threads gave me, just love the magazine, I'm so happy I got to learn about it's existance here!!! I especially loved the examples of different ruffles/ruffle trims they showed me (gave such a great and more "minimalistic" and elegant expression than ordinary ruffles give, I think) and also the needle felting and machine free hand embroidery/quilting (made me try out making some appliques with free hand embroidery, so much fun - just made a girl's skirt with 5 cute appliques on it! I have a stippling foot on the way to explore this even more!). LOL, about time I step off my soap box... A big thanks to April too, for making me stop for a little while to appreciate these things and also for all the great ideas in the Threads issue!!! :)

I just love this hoodie! The Hell you're referring to in your title, must be Hell, Norway, as that is one of the real beautiful places on this earth, beautiful as this hoodie! Besides, in Norwegian, "hell" means "luck"! So I wouldn't say the name you've given this great garment is inadequate... :) Loved the great things you have in your Etsy shop too, thanks so much for inspiring me!!! :)

I'd love to shop locally, but where I live (in Norway), there are no proper fabric stores left at all, even if I'm in a city. There's just a couple who have some quilting and home decor fabrics. The last store that carried fashion fabrics disappeared a couple of years ago. When I was a teenager, we probably had at least 6-7 great stores in addition to many that had home decor fabrics and such. Now I even buy most sewing notions online, as the sewing machine stores that has some, most often only has a little of what I need and at real high prices too. So I end out buying most my things, fabrics and notions, from overseas, on eBay and online stores (even with S&H I save money on the things I could have got here). Well, up until now, that is, just heard that a shop that had gone out of business, has started up again and even if they used to have only quilting/home decor fabrics, obviously now also carries some fashion fabrics. So I'll take a look one of these days, maybe I'll get a nice surprise? Crossing my fingers! I miss being able to look at and feel the fabrics, getting inspired in the store etc. It feels ridiculous that one of the things on my list to do for when I go abroad on vacation, is to visit fabric stores... Oh, I so much want a trip to NYC again, have to visit one of those huge fabric stores!!!

Hi,
I have a few extra feet for my Husqvarna, this far, the edge stitching foot is the one I have used the most. I just bought a walking foot and an adjustable bias binder, and can't wait to try them out, especially the walking foot. I do not quilt, but will be sewing a lot with stretch fabrics/knits, so I figured that the walking foot must be a good choice for that. Will be very exciting! I have bought all my accessory feet on eBay, and have saved a lot of money by doing so! The adjustable bias binder I was able to use one really meant for the Huskystar series, even if mine isn't a Huskystar, but by doing so, I saved $30! Obviously one may save money if asking the sellers if a certain foot will fit your machine. I just found out too that the Singer foot that cuts the fabric as you sew just as on a Serger, most likely will fit my Husqvarna too, as both have a low shank. Obviously snap on feet is not the only way to attach accessory feet (for some you will have to use the thumb screw anyway), in some cases you can save money by being willing to use the thumb screw instead of snap-on. A bit more awkward, but really not a big deal, I think... :)

Beautiful suit! I just love to see such beautiful craftmanship (if that is the right word)! I love all the embellishments too, except for one thing, the orange flower. The flower in itself is beautiful, but for me, it tips the balance on the suit, it becomes too much (sometimes less is more, if you know what I mean) and draws the attention away from the other, beautiful embellishments. But, I realize that this of course is a matter of taste, and taste will always vary (there's a saying where I live: "Taste is like the behind - split!" ;P). Anyway, thanks so much for entering this, so we could enjoy seeing it! It's so wonderful that people take the time to do such things today, keeping traditions alive and well (even if we don't have to). I hope I will get that good (and as patient) at some point! :)

I just LOVE this! Without the denim trim, it would have been just another cute jacket for me, there are lots of those. And they often get a bit too boring for me. Especially many of those flower pattern fabrics, if you know what I mean... Even if it had been without the trim, I would have admired the work, as it looks as if it is beautifully done. Another person pointed out that you didn't post a photo of the inside, but judging from the outside, I somehow guess that you aren't the type of seamstress who just think that nobody sees the inside anyway, so why bother? ;P To me, your jacket stands out in the crowd. It pleases my eyes and my mind, looking at it is inspiring and makes me interested in exploring and trying out more myself (just starting sewing again after a long break). It's things like that that make fashion fun for *me*, otherwise I can't say I'm one of those really interested in the latest runway trends etc. As much as I love nice clothes, in general, that's all they are to me (keep me warm etc.) - not something I burn for like other things in this world - BUT, creating something, that's a whole other story, and now it's clothes again, FUN! So, thanks for inspiring me today with your jacket which could have been just cute, but is interesting, fun, different etc. Those little pieces of denim makes this jacket sassy! And, it's really a great wardrobe piece, you can dress it up and down, combine it with a pretty skirt and pumps for a more formal occasion or combine it with a pair of jeans and boots etc. etc.

I'd really love to hear about how you made it, if you used a ready made pattern or if it is self drafted, of maybe you used a pattern as a basis and altered it into your own design? No matter how, thanks a lot for the inspiration! I might not make a jacket any day soon, but you made me really feel like creating, you got my creative juices flowing by using those little denim pieces!!! :)

I just love this flower, it's so beautiful! Thanks so much for posting it! :) I've bought several similar ones, how great not to have to do that and e able to choose the fabric you'd prefer! This must be so beautiful to make to adorn a pretty evening dress, e.g. a combination of different sizes... And also on a wedding dress as another poster mentioned!!!

I usually singe fabrics with either a long lighter I have (for lighting the fireplace) or using a candle for a handsfree version. For a real quick and not too big project, I usually just grab for the lighter. An ordinary lighter is not much fun to use for such things, they so quickly get too hot and it's easy to burn yourself. In my experience singing is NO PROBLEM whatsoever. It's very easy to do and I have never damaged fabric or set it on fire. The key is to move quickly and rather go back over it several times, until you have got the desired effect. Don't stop, that's when damage may happen. Natural fibres are the easiest to handle, as syntetics normally are way more flammable. I love to sew using polar fleece and often hand sew clothing for my Yorkshire Terrier (fleece is such a forgiving and easy fabric to hand sew, and you have such wonderful control in "molding" the garment while hand sewing, produces wonderful results, I think). I always singe the edges, as that not only gives an effect and prevent fraying, on fleece it clearly produces a much stronger edge too, so it is a way to make the garment more durable (nice for an active dog!). Most of the time I do an invisible singe, because I am not doing it to make it look different, but of practical causes. This of course would be different, as the darker edge looks great!