Sewing Tips
Make it better, faster, easier
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…
Fabric Shopping in Rome
Last week my husband and I took our daughter to Rome for her last Spring Break before graduation from design school. Italy has special memories for Peter and me, because coincidentally both of our dads held 4-year ex-patriot stints there…
How to Make an Empire Angel Gown
Upcycling wedding dresses into angel gowns is one of my favorite sewing activities. Each vintage gown has it’s own unique properties of textile, silhouette and trim, making every project a fresh design challenge. For example, take a look at this…
Vest Pattern for Angel Gowns
This is a long-overdue pattern, so “Thank you for your patience” to all who have requested a vest pattern to coordinate with the Angel Gown pattern from a previous post. Parents of little-boy angels appreciate a blessing gown with simple lines,…
Bow Ties for Angel Gowns
I’ve had so many requests for a vest and bow-tie to coordinate with the Angel Gown pattern from a previous post. The vest pattern is coming very soon…as I was writing the instructions, I realized that the post was getting…
Sewing Halloween costumes
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, is famous for this quote: But just HOW well? Sure, there’s no point spending time in any endeavor that you know ahead of time is a waste. On the other extreme, doesn’t perfectionism sometimes…
“Made in America Tax”??
Big news in the sewing world this past week is “the Jo-Ann’s petition” against tariffs on imported fabrics and yarns from China. Have you received it? Have you signed it? Are you going to, or not? I have mixed emotions…
Free Pattern: Simple Fabric Hair Bows
Easiest scrap-buster ever! You’ve seen these in boutiques, or listed for sale at indie online shops, now you can make them too. It’s as simple as: stitching a fabric tube turning it inside out tying a basic bow. Here is a…
Pattern Review: Twig and Tale “Tree Climbers”
I have a friend who can tell at a glance if a cooking recipe will work out. She is classically trained, has put in thousands of hours of on-the-job work, and can instantly point out typos in measurements and instructions:…
Updated Striped Swallow “Coachella” PDF
I am so pleased to learn that the Striped Swallow “Coachella” shorts pattern (kids’ version only so far) has been updated for Summer 2018! In June 2016 (https://7pinedesign.com/how-to-eliminate-crotch-bunching/) I reviewed the “Coachella” pdf. While the design was undeniably super-cute, the fit…
