reader's closet - fundamentals

Making hand made thread loops

nanacosta, member | February 3rd, 20123 comments

Some 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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How to hem jeans and keep original hem

maddie964, member | January 30th, 20122 comments

Hemming 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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All in the details

maddie964, member | January 27th, 2012

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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Fine Art Paintings

FashionIsMyPassion, member | December 29th, 20111 comment

Painting 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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Captain Hook and Peter Pan

Mari_B, member | November 8th, 2011

FOR CAPTAIN HOOK: Materials needed: Red gabardine fabric Yellow ribbon Gold fabric Purple pants White cravat Black wig White lace Plastic hook Plastic sword Red hat with white featherWhite...

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Ms. Belen Monkey

lagrneyes60, member | October 24th, 2011

My grandaughter in her first Halloween costume.

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Lace Wedding Dress

mlsspllck, member | October 18th, 20117 comments

My daughter got married a year ago without the usual year to plan. We only had two months to get her dress together. We had seen a dress by designer Rivini, and decided to copy it from...

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Les Miserables

prairietn1, member | October 17th, 2011

This is a show I costumed for a high school.

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Party like it's the 17th century

KBthreads, member | October 12th, 20112 comments

0 0 1 222 1269 University of Minnesota Duluth 10 2 1489 14.0 96 800x600 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE ...

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Project American Girl Addy's Nightgown

gossjean, member | September 6th, 20112 comments

We found an amazing link where you can download a few patterns for American Girl doll clothes. We will be using them in our Fashion Design class at Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown, Texas...

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Octopus Halloween Costume

robin_isu, member | August 17th, 20111 comment

It's almost halloween! I'm hoping someone craftier than me can give me advice on how to make this octopus costume. I'm great at visualizing... not so great at executing :D. I can handle the dress...

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My First Project - Pillow Politics

diane509, member | April 22nd, 20111 comment

This is my first project. As you see I can't even shoot a photo straight. I managed to sew the outer seam on the first pillow on all 4 sides and had to go out and buy a seam ripper to...

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Recycle, Redesign and Rewear!

gossjean, member | February 21st, 2011

This project is one for my students in Fashion Design to try their hand at recycle and redesign. Lots of handwork involved unless you have a sewing machine that will sew really tough, thick...

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gypsy skirt

thecrafter, member | February 8th, 20112 comments

Since my friend likes yellow, I bought as many contrasting yellows as I could. But two of them are a little too similar. Instead of gathering the thread by hand, I bought a gathering foot. But either...

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Homemade Slinky Dog Costume

thomp5km, member | November 14th, 20104 comments

I have been an artist for years and I love to create and push myself beyond my limits! I have made original costumes in the past, but this year I really wanted to go all out! I am a senior art major...

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Word up, it's Word Girl!

suprneko, member | November 12th, 20101 comment

My daughter wanted to be her favorite superhero, Word Girl, for Halloween. I had made red leggings previously and luckily had left over fabric. I self drafted the shirt, hood, detachable cape, gloves...

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Abagail Adams

c_de_montigny, member | November 9th, 2010

This year I went to work the Friday before Halloween dressed as Abagail Adams. I had the costume, and decided that I could be a historical figure that I greatly admire. I made all the parts of this...

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Glenda the Good Witch

Ocrafty1, member | November 2nd, 20103 comments

My sister phoned and asked me to cut off her 1990's wedding gown and cover it with pink tulle to make her costume. I refused to cut her gown and drove the 60 miles to her home...

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Men's Lined Vest

Mazing101, member | October 9th, 2010

This is a project I just finished for a professor at SFSU in San Francisco. I traveled out to San Fran from Virginia to spend some time with my sweetheart and decided to begin a sewing...

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Carry-all bag

CRIE1982, member | October 7th, 2010

The class was supposed to help you learn how to alter commercial patterns. Our teacher gave us the free pattern for this bag. I had bought some plush fur to make my daughters a...

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My first suit jacket

Bryan1977, member | September 29th, 20105 comments

For my first jacket, Threads magazine was a tremendous source of useful information. This was a new sewing experience for me, and knowing I wanted to make it right, I consulted different issues...

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Million Pillowcase Challenge!!!!!!!!!

Fredwb, member | September 28th, 2010

There is a Million Pillowcase Challenge going on RIGHT NOW! Until the end of the year. Just go to http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/ Sign up and then make pillowcases. Go to the site...

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New Purse

Fredwb, member | September 4th, 20101 comment

I really like this one! Simple yet cool. Works real nice put over your head and on the opposite shoulder. (A real nice smooth fit! I will be making a tie dye hippiny one later on, with a shirt to...

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The Art of Fashion Reproduction

Mazing101, member | June 17th, 20102 comments

My name is Melissa and I am a fashion seamstress in Fairfax, VA. I am specializing in current fashion trend reproductions. If you are interested in seeing more ofnbspwhat...

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Making Garment Reproductions w/o Patterns

Mazing101, member | June 2nd, 2010

I am currently in the process of making a vest / blouse reproduction “knock off” that I purchased from Macy’s a few years back. It has Macy’s exclusive line INC...

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Kinley in "Popping Pink"

vintagecouture, member | May 4th, 20102 comments

Kinely is my great-niece. Even though I live in South Carolina and she lives in Iowa, I enjoy sewing for her, as I did for her mother when she was young. My latest...

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Tips for Evening gown

canglangheyou, member | April 26th, 2010

Normal 0 7.8 磅 0 2 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Every girl wants to be slim and beautiful and some of them even want to lose weight in order to wear...

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Knock Off Ann Taylor Blouse

Mazing101, member | April 25th, 20101 comment

I had fun recreating a favorite Ann Taylor blouse I purchased years ago. The big difference between the two blouses is that I omitted the front facing on mine. To learn more about...

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I Design U Decide: Recycled Jewelry

AvidAccents, member | April 5th, 2010

Hey Craftnistas (a fashionable crafty chic), I have started something new over at my blog and would love to have YOU come participate. This month i am focusing on recycling common household products...

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Happy Valentines Day!

Allysonsews, member | February 17th, 2010

My dear friend let me choose any type of dress for her wedding. To complement her halter-style, backless, very sleek and slim gown, I chose a halter-style, backless but very full skirted about...

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Circular Vest

closetcoach, member | December 21st, 20099 comments

After seeing this circular vest in the January 2010 issue of Threads (#146, p. 69), I thought I'd try to make one with all the "extra" fabric I've accumulated. Both vests were made with ...

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Civil War Era Ball Gown

SouthernBling, member | December 21st, 20094 comments

This garment is pearl grey Moire Taffeta with grey Satin bands and trim, with lace sleeve insets and collar and was made for a Civil War Era Re-enactment Ball. The fitted jacket features Satin...

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Making Ruffles for my Fitted Shirt

Mazing101, member | November 12th, 20094 comments

I just finished making this fitted womens shirt with French cuffs and decided to put ruffles on the front. I learned how to make the ruffles from a recent issue of Threads Magazinenbsp...

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halloween costume

VADavis75, member | November 8th, 2009

I was looking for the whale of a costume. This year I envisioned a sleek, sensuous, silver fish. I wanted to make an easy-to-wear mermaid costume by adapting a fit-and-flare evening...

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My Dangerous Liaisons Costume

CookiM, member | November 3rd, 20091 comment

I collected things over a few years, and had thought I might make the dress originally into Victorian or Edwardian, but I am so glad I chose French Court. The Burgunday shows off the lace so...

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Girls' Linen Traveling Suit

hogaboom, member | August 16th, 20093 comments

My seven year old daughter loves taking the train; she is an adventurer at heart. The weather has warmed up, but already fall approaches. I wanted to make her a suit that could travel in the summer...

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Retro Wrap Dress in Green Plaid Silk

aliensnextdoor, member | August 5th, 20093 comments

I chose this raw silk for my daughter Bethany, who has always loved green. The fabric cried out to be made into a retro fashion that would drape beautifully and show off its green plaidnbsp...

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help with new machine

m_poisson, member | July 28th, 20093 comments

i am going to buy a new machine, upgrading from a viking husky to a janome ( my local janome/singer shop is where i have made friends ) mostly interested in art to wear, fabric and design, i wanted...

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Recycling and Keeping Fabric Clean

jslota, member | May 15th, 20097 comments

This is a great way to recycle those zippered plastic bags that sheets and blankets come in. I've always saved them thinking I'd find a use someday. Keeping fabric in these allows the fabric to be...

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Need Advice

Meirra, member | April 22nd, 20092 comments

I'm a new (yes very new) designer...well make that hopeful designer. I've finally decided to pursue a lifelong dream of fashion designing. I don’t hope to become famous but I would like to...

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Threads - for people who love to sew

reader's closet - fundamentals - Threads