Ever make a skirt where you sew up all the side seams – easy, right? – then you have to figure out what to do with the opening? (Hopefully you left an opening in one of the side seams. 🙂 ) It’s not always as simple as folding the raw edges to the inside and Read More...
Category: Sewing Tips
Waist Tape Wrangling, or the Unseen Bodice Support
The inside of antique bodices. If you sew historical costumes you know THAT is what you want when you research. How did they do it? Where and how is the boning put in? What is that underlining fabric? Any chance we get we study existing bodices from our favorite era. If we want to produce Read More...
Sewing Single-Welt Pockets
Have you ever noticed how many welt pockets you come across when researching menswear? They are everywhere in the 19th century! You’ll even find them on waistcoats and riding habits for women. I get asked from time to time about the process of creating a welt pocket. Most of the time the pocket is for Read More...
Tips for Easier Seam Ripping
If you sew you rip. Period. No “Oh, I won’t make any mistakes” or “If I sew a seam wrong I simply cut out a new piece.” Yeah… that’s a bit ridiculous. Everyone knows you use a handy-dandy seam ripper (or tiny scissors) to pull out each little stitch. But do you know the easier Read More...
Want to be More Historically Accurate?
Everyone who loves creating historically-inspired garments, at some point or another, will want to improve their skills in the accuracy department. As we are all on various creative journeys, this urge falls upon us at different times and with diverse intensity. For some, the “accuracy thing” hits as soon as we sign up with a Read More...
Top 10 Sewing Tips
Top 10 sewing tips – Ha! We’ve all heard that one before. As if there could only be 10. As if only 10 mattered. As if your 10 would be the same as mine. You may be an experienced dressmaker and have your own Top 10 best tips. That’s awesome! They may be the same Read More...
How to Flatline a Bodice
Flatlining. No it’s not dying in pursuit of that ultimate dream costume. Neither is it the process of killing your bodice to make it work. Ha! (Although, it feels like it kills us sometimes!) I use the term “flatlining” often when describing this historical sewing technique. It is also called “mounting” and “adding an underlining.” Read More...
Tips for Faster Sewing
How often do you sew? Do you feel productive when you barricade yourself in your sewing area? If you’re anything like me, some days are full of efficiency while others… well, 3 hours later and you’re still staring at the pattern…. With our limited time and very busy lives, it’s hard to feel productive when Read More...