I think we would call these coulottes?

To finish a handkerchief - I run the stitches off the corner (sewing off the fabric) - keeping a tail on the thread. Then I pull the tail thru the hemmer drawing the fabric thru with it. This method helps to guide the material folded thru the hemmer. It takes some practice - but it works. If you're not comfortable, you can roll the edge by hand and draw thru the hemmer.

Where do you find the fabric?

Beautiful work - love the colors

Teenage Textile: I find Simplicity easy to work with - but a bit large in size. Butterick is the closest - and sometimes smaller than actual measurements. McCall's is somewhere in between. When you find a pattern, or adjust a pattern to fit - make several items from it. Do not be afraid to take items you have that fit great - to use them as patterns. I have used worn jeans as patterns, old coat linings, etc. I was just like you when I was younger - it was my creative outlet.

I am also in a recycle mode - returning to a habit I had when I was much younger. Recycling items in my closet - to give them more wear - and a more updated look. I have always played with changing buttons, collars, sleeve lengths, and waistlines. Adding embellishments - or removing them. This is great if you have an item made of very good fabric - such as a wool jacket.

Robkamm - perhaps your thinking of pattern drafting tools such as slopers and basic patterns. Lutterloh are actual pattern designs - that are relatively a closer fit. I like to hear about other tools, and inspiration for sewing. I am intrigued by wool hat making instructions.

Lutterloh patterns are miniature patterns that have dots that correspond to the outline of the pattern piece. All of the dots correspond to your measurements. Have you ever seen the davinci drawing of a man with circles showing the relationship of of the span of your arms to your height. It is a similar concept. If your bust is x-inches, you would use a tape measurer from an X on the pattern piece, and measure x inches out. There is a paper extension for your tape measurer to convert. This will give you the basic pattern piece without seam allowances. The patterns seem to be true to size in my opinion. I have made several items - a winter coat, several tank tops. The designs are a bit different (European) - not real trendy - more classic shapes. The nice thing is the miniature patterns can be stored in a small binder, and you can draw a fresh pattern in any size.

How many folks have tried/used a Lutterloh pattern?

Sewfool - you are so right. For those of us who grew up sewing, the fabric stores today are just craft stores. That is great for crafters - but not for skilled seamstresses. I look to magazines for inspiration and to further the art of sewing - there are so few.