Over several decades of making custom clothing, I’ve learned a lot about garment fitting. Many of my favorite techniques were taught by Roberta Carr and published in her book, Couture:…
The Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris is a must-visit for fashionistas when vacationing in France. The museum is housed in the private mansion at 5 avenue Marceau where Yves Saint…
If you’re investing time in sewing clothes to fit your figure, it’s worthwhile to employ smart, durable construction techniques. In Threads #208 (June/July 2020), I described the basic method for…
Linen is a natural fiber spun from the cellulose inside the stalk of a flax plant. Woven linen fabrics are a favorite of many sewers, but that is not the…
I recently had some trouble achieving a neat finish when sewing a French seam on a synthetic crepe. After doing the first stitching pass with wrong sides together, I knew…
Her design story began with graphic design, which, when mixed with an early love of sewing, became something more. After years of struggling to find clothes, especially outerwear, that fit…
Q: I’m planning to make some fitting adjustments to a pattern, but the waistline is not marked on it. How do I determine where the waistline is on the pattern?…
Shisha embroidery is the technique of stitching a border around small pieces of metal or glass to attach them to fabric. It originated in Southeast Asia, and examples of shisha…
This loose-fitting dress has a front bodice with overlapping panels, a triangular back panel, elastic-gathered waist, and a slight A-line skirt with cut-on in-seam pockets.
Designed by Mimi G, this outfit is a fun and versatile concept. The boxy shirt has a mix of classic and fresh details featuring a traditional shirt collar.
Typically the go-to fabric for towels and bathrobes, terrycloth has desirable characteristics for a variety of garments. People of all ages find terrycloth comfy and fun to wear, thanks to…
When I was a child, I loved to eavesdrop while my aunt and grandmother sewed together and told family stories. I was inspired by the strong women in my family…
Italian fashion of the 20th century has a reputation for exquisite fabrications, upbeat and contemporary style, and high-quality construction that ensures longevity. This Italian dress from 1969 was made when…
This cocktail dress, from Butterick 5779, is made of silk dupioni and it includes an eye-catching lace back panel. In Threads #209 (June/July 2020), author Andrea Schewe shares her method…
This stunning two-tone blouse was made by Andrea Schewe from Marfy 5323 in cotton/linen and cotton/metallic blend fabrics, with sheer point d'esprit. This design has intriguingly shaped panels in front and…
A chic and summery garment, the Oia dress from Itch to Stitch, has a lace-up front detail that will make it a warm weather staple. This design has an inset…
Deer and Doe: Sirocco Jumpsuit This short-sleeve jumpsuit and romper will hug and highlight your curves. It has a surplice bodice, a 1-inch-wide neckline band, an inset waistband, and diagonal…
Whether in ruffles, at skirt waistlines, or in the caps of puffy sleeves, gathers are used in subtle or dramatic ways to add volume, shape, and interest. There’s nothing lovelier…
