Sewing Tips
Make it better, faster, easier
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…
“Advice from a Singer Sewing Manual” Real or Hoax?
If you are on social media at all within the sewing community, chances are good that you’ve seen this infamous clip, possibly dozens of times: ( source: Tater Patch Quilts.com) I’ve seen this on Facebook so many times that I…
Pattern Fitting Issues? a new blog for you to follow!
Since most of my current sewing is in kids’ sizes (for my Etsy shop) I don’t refer to women’s patterns in my posts. Readers do ask if I will please write about “grown up” fitting. So I am thrilled today to…
Good Drafting but Poor Grading?
Apologies in advance for my erratic posting schedule…or lack of schedule! Sometimes I have one big idea that requires a lot of analysis and research. Other times a single concept has several smaller aspects and it seems better to break it…
Why Ease should be Proportionate to Size
I just read a message from a very popular pdf pattern company, announcing updates to an existing pattern, and one of the revisions is: “Even grading for exact ease in all sizes”. This is an improvement for sure, because their…
What is “good” pattern drafting?
I saw this question online: “What exactly is good drafting? How do I know if a pattern is any good? What should I be looking for?” Good drafting refers to proficiency in understanding the shape and proportions of the human…
