7 Pine Design

a sewing blog by Janet Vandermeulen

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    Pattern Review: LLK “Sorrento”

    5/6/2019 I’m updating this review today, due to comments from the pattern company. I reprinted the pattern using a different printer and found a slight difference in size, which is good because the adjustments I had made before were confusing.…

    By [email protected] April 30, 2019
  • Charity Sewing,  How To,  Sewing Tips

    Empire Angel Gowns: part 2

    Recently I posted about up-cycling vintage wedding dresses to sew “Empire Waist” angel gowns for preemies, that are more fancy and embellished than traditional angel gowns. One question I received was “How many of these can you get from one…

    By [email protected] April 9, 2019
  • Sewing Tips

    Saying “Thank You”

    As a Tech Designer, I was trained to be objective, rational. It doesn’t matter whether or not you personally care for the designer’s vision, the job is to make it fit and get the factory to understand how how to…

    By [email protected] April 6, 2019

7pinedesign

Janet Vandermeulen
Because I have no secrets The price of sewing sup Because I have no secrets The price of sewing supplies has skyrocketed this year so it’s important to know where you can get first quality at wholesale prices! My suggestion: @wawaksewing . Want to know the biggest savings? It’s buying in bulk. The markup at retail stores is enormous for notions, because they have to calculate in the human cost of (for example) measuring each yard of elastic, cutting it, putting the roll back in stock. Buttons that cost a few pennies each, retail for 10x when they are attached to a cardboard strip. (Sure, fun and fancy buttons are adorable but the $$ can add up). Here’s what came in the mail today: tiny horsehair braid to add just a touch of pouf to hems. Wawak carries both soft and crisp, black and white, lots of widths. My favorite combo ruler/French curve/hip curve. I wear them out and get a new one every year. Knitted non-roll elastic: hard to find in 3/8” but they stock it! I’ve ordered knit elastic from other sources but they always send braided. Knit is so much better at holding its shape. Basic buttons. A gross (144 pieces) for $5. No I don’t have affiliate links, my blog has no advertisements, I’m not paid to promote anything…this is purely inside info, me to you. #sewingsupplies #sewingproject #sewingismytherapy #sewinginspiration #sewingismysuperpower #sewingroom #sewingtips #sewinglove
Because backs. Who doesn’t love a pretty back d Because backs. Who doesn’t love a pretty back detail? In industry, garment backs get little attention. It’s all about “hanger appeal” from the front. This beautifully designed back, with the easy-fit elastic and adjustable straps, is summer perfection. One-of-a-kind “Amsterdam” maxi dress, size child’s 6, is in the Salt of the Earth showcase this week (link in bio). #bohokids #bohostyle #bohogirls #beachlife #beachvibes #beachday #summervibes #summeroutfit #summerstyle #littlelizardking
Because summer! One-of-a-kind (size 6 kids) beach Because summer! One-of-a-kind (size 6 kids) beach maxi available tonight at the @saltoftheearthshowcase on Facebook (link in bio). Thank you @littlelizardking for the always-amazing “Amsterdam” pattern. Fabrics are a swooshy absorbent rayon batik for the skirt and a pink-on-pink cotton for the top. Swipe to see the back cause it’s so cute! #saltoftheearth #saltoftheearthshowcase #showcaseshopping #boutiqueshopping #boutiqueonline #boutiqueonlineshopping #handmadeboutique #handmadeshopping #shophandmade #madeinusa #madeinusaclothing
Because it’s still hot out on the first day of s Because it’s still hot out on the first day of school. My mom always made us a new summery dress for Easter, and a cozy fall dress for the First Day of School. I remember freezing in church on Easter, and sweltering in school. Here’s a better option for those first few months of school: a sleeveless cotton dress, covered at the shoulders for dress code, that you can easily layer with a cardigan. One of a kind size 6 “Lenox” dress available tonight in the @vintagyfab Back-to-School showcase. Thank you @littlelizardking for the perfectly twirly pattern! #firstdayofschool #backtoschooloutfit #backtoschool #backtoschoolshopping #firstdayofkindergarten #firstdayofelementaryschool #handmadekids #handmadekidsclothing
Because “use what you have”. This one-of-a-ki Because “use what you have”. This one-of-a-kind (child size 5) “Lenox” handmade dress will be in the FB “Vintagy & Fabulous” back-to-school showcase this evening at 8:00. Fabric collectors surely recognize this classic Joan Kessler for Concord Fabrics print! She was an American design icon and I treasure every bit of her fabrics. Link to the @vintagyfab showcase is in my bio. #vintagekidsclothes #handmadeclothingcompany #handmadekidsclothes #handmadekidsfashion #vintagekids #vintagekidstyle #vintagyfab
Because using what you have. Recently I’ve been Because using what you have. Recently I’ve been feeling sad/envious/irritated over not being able to find a certain fabric: character sheets from the 1980s. Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, Cabbage Patch Kids…I have clients requesting these vintage fabrics upcycled into dresses and pinafores….and I never find these in the usual haunts (estate sales, yard sales, thrift shops, flea markets). Yesterday I spent the morning at the Todd Farm Flea Market (Rowley MA) and questioned every vendor I know. Nope, nobody has seen these. Ever. I wonder if this is a regional thing? Makers in other areas of the US tell me this is easy stuff to find on the regular. Is it true that New England decorating tastes are so conservative? (I also had zero luck finding the previous sought-after vintage fabric: flocked sheers often used for cafe-style curtains.) Here’s what I actually DO find in this area: classic old-fashioned quilting cottons and decorating florals from sadly-long-gone American mills. And randomly a roll of Schiffli embroidery, also locally made last century. Once in a while, beautifully embroidered table linens. So, just like in the local-foods concept, here’s to using-what-you-have. Of course I’ll be happy to make custom orders out@of Cabbage Patch Kids sheets, any fabric that my lovely clients want. But they have to find it. (PS: there’s always eBay!) #vintage #vintagestyle #upcycle #upcycling #upcycledclothing #vintageupcycle
Because “Back to School”! Here in New England Because “Back to School”! Here in New England, this is the last week of school, but in other areas it’s already time to think about going back, These 2 true vintage ditsy prints plus table-linens are going to become one-of-a-kind dresses for the B2S showcase on Tuesday night at FB “Vintagy & Fabulous! Link to the VF group is in bio. #vintagekidsclothes #vintagekids #vintagebaby #vintagebabyclothes
Because can one ever have enough pretty patterns? Because can one ever have enough pretty patterns? Thanks Natasha @auschicksews for feeding my shopping habit! Your pretty sewing projects on your darling girls make me want allll the new styles! #auschicksews #peonypatterns #jennuinedesign #pdfsewing #pdfsewingpatterns #sewingblog #sewingforkids #patterntester #patterntesting
Because laces and trims. I’ve been collecting t Because laces and trims. I’ve been collecting these since I worked in the garment industry and frequented Sample Sales. There “might” be a bit too much in my stash. Use code TRIMSALE for a 50% discount on all laces and trims in my Etsy shop! (Shop link in bio) #sewingtrims #diytrim✂️ #sewingtrimmings #laceforsale #trimforsale #bargainshopping #bargainhunter #sewingproject
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