Tutorials
How to make stuff
Free Pattern: Bow Headband
The best thing about sewing is making exactly what you want. I was looking for a free pattern or tutorial online for a “Bunny-ear” or “Dolly-bow” headband….but I couldn’t find one with the specifics I was after: woven fabric (since I have so…
Free Pattern: Wing-Collar Shirt Dickey
Many of my sewing projects are born of necessity, in other words they are “needs” instead of “wants”. This is one of those. My dear friend Allison has a job that requires wearing a uniform smock, and recently management decided that staff…
Simple Preemie Angel Gown: Free Pattern
Update June 2018: Interested in making a vested gown for boys? Please check out this YouTube video for an easy pattern draft and instructions for a boy’s vest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t9uCNdZVOg. Thanks Rachel Ann! ……………………… How to make the easiest, fastest “angel…
Another Way to Finish Waist Seams on Dresses
When sewing a gathered skirt to a bodice, I find that these are the two most common home-sewing-pattern instruction methods for finishing the seam allowance: 1. Clean-finish couture“: press skirt seam allowance up towards bodice, and press bodice lining seam allowance under (left),…
How to Eliminate Crotch Bunching
Wrap shorts were a trend when I was a teenager (they were called “Hawaiian shorts): ……
Trueing the Crotch/Rise Intersection (Eliminating “Stabby Crotch”)
Sewing patterns must be “trued” to ensure a smooth edge wherever a seam ends, so that the joined pieces are ready for the next step in construction. The top and bottom corners of each pattern edge should be as close as possible to…
Pants Rise: Shape versus Size
Quick post: Sometimes you can see what’s happening with garment fit by playing with the paper pattern. I came across this free Baby Bloomer pattern on Craftsy this evening: There’s just about no shape/angle/curve/hook to the front and back rises. …
Alpha Testing: Measure, Walk, True
When a sewing pattern is released for sale, it has been (hopefully) both Alpha and Beta tested: that means it has been tested by professionals and by amateurs. You may have participated in Beta testing yourself, or read posts from…
Elastic Casings the Easy Way
(Pinterest link: https://www.pinterest.com/7pinedesign/7-pine-design/) What was your first apparel sewing project? Chances are that it was an elastic-waist skirt, an elastic-waist pajama pant, or an elastic-neckline peasant dress: simple, un-fitted silhouettes with minimal pattern pieces. What was your least favorite step? My…
Free Pattern: Bias-trim Pocket
Last week I was making the Brownie Goose “Junie” dress and decided I’d like to add pockets, and since I was already making bias tape for the dress, I made pockets trimmed with the bias tape: Rounded pockets are great because…
