We may wonder how designer ready-to-wear garments differ from other off-the-rack clothes. To find out what justifies the high price tag, I’ve taken a close look at an Yves Saint…
Flat lace appliqué laid out in a geometric design complements the handkerchief hem of this Vogue 8894 dress pattern. This bold use of lace adds a pleasing contrast to an…
We made the pants without the overlay and the blouse with a diagonal front slit detail. If you choose a knit, it should have stability to support the front slit…
This modern version of a tailored jacket features a notched lapel, collar band, front and back shoulder princess seams, a single-button closure, two-piece sleeves with a vent, and a full…
Norman Norell, whose New York-based career spanned 1922 to 1972, was one of the foremost American designers of the 20th century. He designed this silk faille evening gown in 1965.…
In the United States, most fabrics are 44 inches to 60 inches wide. Pattern companies plan fabric-cutting layouts based on these widths. In contrast, for centuries, Japanese kimono have been…
Chances are you have ready-to-wear garments in your closet that have the cover stitch as a finishing or construction element. Take a look at the hem on your knit tops…
During my years as a custom clothier and alterations specialist, my main objective was to ensure my clients always looked their best. My specialty was tailored garments, and I made…
Match bobbin to thread I found a way to store my bobbins so that the thread does not unwind, and I always know the thread’s brand and color number for…
It took years of sewing experience for me to work up the nerve to regularly use the sew-on button or button-attachment foot. To a sewer who didn’t learn on a…
