reader's closet - fundamentals - Threads
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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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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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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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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Captain Hook and Peter Pan
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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Lace Wedding Dress
7 commentsMy 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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Party like it's the 17th century
2 comments0 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
2 commentsWe 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
1 commentIt'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
1 commentThis 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!
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
2 commentsSince 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
4 commentsI 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!
1 commentMy 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
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
3 commentsMy 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
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
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
5 commentsFor 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!!!!!!!!!
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
1 commentI 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
2 commentsMy 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
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"
2 commentsKinely 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
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
1 commentI 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
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!
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
9 commentsAfter 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
4 commentsThis 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
4 commentsI 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
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
1 commentI 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
3 commentsMy 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
3 commentsI 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
3 commentsi 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
7 commentsThis 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
2 commentsI'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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