Back in the day when I started sewing, the dressmaker’s tracing paper available to home sewers was waxy, similar to professional waxed tracing paper. It made good marks, but they were permanent. The wax-free tracing paper commonly available to home…
Blog Archives
Brother 2340CV Cover Stitch Machine Survival Guide
I’ve had my Brother 2340CV cover stitch machine for about a year. I wanted a cover stitch machine that could make wide cover stitches, narrow cover stitches, and could use a binder attachment. Buying a cover stitch machine was already…
Posted in Sewing, Sewing machine reviews
Miniature Arm Pattern
I’ve created a new arm pattern for my DIY miniature dress forms. A couple of people asked about an arm pattern for the half-scale dress forms recently, so I figured it was time to make one. The arm attaches…
Posted in Half-Scale Patternmaking and Sewing
Half Scale and Full Size Alder Dresses
I bought Grainline’s Alder shirtdress pattern a year and a half ago, but I didn’t get around to sewing this dress until last winter, when it was too cold to wear it. It’s finally starting to feel like summer around…
Posted in Half-Scale Patternmaking and Sewing, Sewing
3D Printed Sewing Machine Parts
I decided to attempt to make a 3-step zig-zag special disc for my Singer 411G. In my opinion the 4-step zig-zag that is built in just isn’t a substitute. I usually use a 3-step zig-zag when I’m sewing through elastic,…
Posted in Vintage Sewing Machines
My Singer 411G
For the last couple of years I’ve been searching for the perfect zig-zag sewing machine that can be treadled. I haven’t found one that meets all of my requirements, but I’ve found several that come close. My Singer 328K is…
Posted in Treadle Sewing Machines, Vintage Sewing Machines
Measuring Body Width
Body width measurements aren’t commonly used when altering sewing patterns or patternmaking, but they do come up occasionally. I’ve used body width when drafting pants and locating princess seams. The problem is, how do you accurately measure body width? I…
Posted in Patternmaking
Pretty Tiffany
Whoops, I did it again. I bought another vintage sewing machine. This is a Singer 115 with Tiffany decals, made in 1919. I don’t typically name my sewing machines, but I think I’ll call this pretty lady Tiffany. I had…
Posted in Treadle Sewing Machines, Vintage Sewing Machines
The White Shirt (finally) and How to Make Perfect Collar Points
I finally finished my husband’s white shirt that was supposed to have been a Christmas present. I procrastinated on working on this shirt for months, since I was terrified of staining that white fabric. I just don’t live a “white…
Posted in Sewing
Speed Draping and the Dangers of Wearable Muslins
The Amazon product links in this post are affiliate links. If you click on these links and purchase something, I will earn a small commission. My husband has been asking me to make him a white shirt. This fall decided…
Posted in Patternmaking, Sewing
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