reader's closet - Threads
Slipcovered office chair for the Studio
I have a very comfortable but large office chair that I really like in my sewing room. It was just ugly. I wanted to slipcover it and found an old queen size matelasse cotton bedspread which I...
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The Construction of Bras
Nobody talks about bras. At least in the patternmaking and sewing world. Tons upon tons of pattern making and sewing books exist for dresses, blouses, jackets, etc, but nothing on bras. And why not...
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The Stripe in the Jacket - Mc Call 6294
4 commentsStripe Challenge Garment and Palmer/Pletsche contest entry. I wanted to share a few photos of my stripe challenge garment. Enjoy! Cennetta
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Hot Pink Dress
This is an eight grade dance dress for a client who wanted her daughter's dress to be modern but conservative. She wanted a short ballerina dress that was a sweetheart bustier but would cover...
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Lone Star Quilt
I decide to use this quilt as a wall hanging in my master bedroom it is quite the focal point.
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Making hand made thread loops
3 commentsSome times, we need a very special finishing when closing a garment. In this case, I use the thread hand made loops, because the outer layer of this dress is make in a fine french lace, and to make...
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Zooey Deschanel Red Valentine's Dress
3 commentsI put together two different patterns and added pockets to make a replica of the dress Zooey Deschanel wears in her television show New Girl. She dresses in such a cute fun way which is similar to...
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Ruby Corset
I created this corset from recycled fabric from an old design school piece.
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The VIOLET COUTURE design show in Pittsburgh, Pa for GWENS GIRLS at the Frick Mansion
1 commentDesign show "VIOLET COUTURE" in Pittsburgh, Pa. The theme was from work to dinner/cocktails. My design was to create a dress you can wear to the office and still look professional and add a skirt...
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How to hem jeans and keep original hem
2 commentsHemming jeans is simple… unless you want to keep the original hem. Those creative jeans companies usually use heavy/thick gold thread to decorate the inseams, outseams, waistbands, hems, and...
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Pretty & Pink Bag
This bag is a total upscycle other than the hand dyed wools used to make the flowers and stem appliques. The pink body is a felted wool sweater, orginally from the GAP, but picked up at the local...
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my sewing projects
the first photo is a sundress i just finished. This project was a joy to make. I shortened the pattern to suite my style. This dress has a pleated breast area and a zippered back. Its a wonderful...
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Sham's Tablecloth Skirt
1 commentThis is now becoming the famed Tablecloth skirt from the blog of Shams, of "Communing with Fabric." She has generously shared the design and even has a gallery of skirts made with this pattern of...
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Wine Gift Bag
Round gift bag pattern perfect for wine bottles (Classic) or Ice Wine (Slim bag), round candles, Jars of preserves, or difficult to wrap items for themed Wedding Showers such as a set of kitchen...
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"Barbershop Quartet" outfit for wedding
I made this outfit for my grandson to wear to my nephew's wedding. The fabric is silk dupioni. I was going for a classic, "barbershop quartet" look. He wore white knee socks and saddle shoes with it...
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Green Sateen Baby Set
Green sheen sateen (100% cotton). Matching tatting created with embroidery machine. Embroidery design: Martha Pullen.
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All in the details
I love plackets. They're just the darnest thing, aren't they (in my midwestern accent)? I bought a henley t-shirt from J.Crew two years ago that Sunday after Sunday since I bought it, I find myself...
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overnight bag for grandaughter
these are some sewing projects i worked on over the last few weeks
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Sewing with Internet help
1 commentThis is a recent linen jacket that I made as a gift for my daughter. The back embellishment was a piece that was purchased in Paris and then found in a fabric store near me! I am relearning how to...
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A new trick!
2 commentsI can't believe it. I sewed my first straight flawless hem today. I was so excited I started taking pictures! I ordered a felling foot on Ebay for my machine. I've ordered may hem foots and Im...
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Project in Progress
5 commentsApril 28th is the big day. My dear friend Meme (we've known each other since nursery. We fought over who was Kristen French's best friend, me or her. I won) is getting married and as I have said...
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Hand Embroidery Tutorial
1 commentI am sharing this specific technique of hand embroidery,its called Zardosi/Zardozi work, The tool is like crochet hook which is called Aar. I made a purse after completing this Embroidery on a thin...
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Felted Houndstooth Bag
2 commentsThis bag is made from wool coating that I felted myself by machine washing in hottest water and drying on high heat in the dryer. The pattern is my own original design. I used hand dyed wools to make...
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Granddaughter new dress
4 commentsthis is my first kids dress that i have made ,, its a mccalls pattern
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Heart Gift Bag
Heart Gift Bag Pattern ... Perfect for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Weddings, Birthdays or any special occasion to make your loved one feel extra special. It looks stunning with a gift peeking out...
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They Don't Call It The Infiite Dress For Nuthin"
2 commentsI made this very versatile dress from the famous Infiite Dress pattern from the 70"s. The pattern is for sale!
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White China Coat
3 commentsPhoto #1 I started with white silk duponi, cut into 4" strips 6 of the strips were app 3 yards long, the two in the center back are only half of that. I used a fusible...
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Stash Blouse
4 commentsI'm calling this my "Stash Blouse" because it was made from materials, and supplies that were in my sewing stash. The back and center front were cut from a super soft doe skin ultra-suede I had left...
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Fine Art Paintings
1 commentPainting inspires me as a Designer - I see things differently because I paint. It's therapy for the soul - and inspiration for the Seamstress/Designer.
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Easy No-Tie Bow Ties
1 commentA friend of mine started wearing bow ties to work, but (a) didn't know how to tie one, and (b) didn't own any. So I made him some, using scrap material that I had from other projects, and used...
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A Hair Bow for My Daughter.
I made this hair bow for my daughter to complement her uniform for school.
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Multi Color Tapestry Tote Bag
2 commentsThis sturdy bag is made with a colorful upholstery weight tapestry fabric. It is lined in a coordinating dark rust fabric, has divided pockets on each side of the interior and the faux suede...
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Get the lead out pencil skirt
2 commentsWhipped up in the nick of time for a holiday party last weekend, using my tried & trued Burda 8155. Second time using a lined back vent and am totally addicted to them. And to this cheery...
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New Look Pleated Bodice Dress
9 commentsThis is a recent dress made using New Look 6067. I love the obi belt and the pleated bodice. Very stylish dress for work or play. More on how I made it on my...
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S4356 - Faux Leather/Shearling Coat
7 commentsTwo years ago, I started thinking about making a faux leather/shearling coat. Well last weekend I finally made it. It was a breeze, and I love results. It's fashionable and...
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Ultra-Suede Doe Skin Western Style Shirt
This shirt was made with a soft doe skin ultra suede, and a textured polyester bias cut plaid for the yoke. The long sleeve (shown rolled), has an extra wide cuff to complete the retro western look...
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My first jeans
5 commentsThough these were first started (gulp) about 4 years and many miles ago, I’ve finally finished my first pair of jeans. They aren’t perfect, but now I have a starting point to tweak them...
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Purple and Green?
4 commentsI just finished this one. The chain is actually wood so its lighter than it looks. Its made from weaverly fabric and lavander lamb skin leather. With a snap closure and open pocket on...
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