News — My Personal Dressmaking

This week's patterning went a little inside out.   I finished the 1929 coat with a habotai lining color I wouldn't normally wear (it's not my red).  Since the weave of the coat fabric is so light and open, I did the lining in this hue to keep the outside appearance of the coat very bright.  Had I used my favorite deep claret, the coat would be much darker overall. The 'inside out' occurs before having dropped this lining in so light is shed on the construction and finishing methods I used.  Take a look: As I posted early on about...

 Another patterning week 'wrapped up' with this 1944 wrap skirt, now in multi-size from 26" to 42" waist. As I worked this one up, it took me to this time last year I was sewing a Pendleton wool from it for my Arizona Make it with Wool entry.  While I am not competing this year, I felt it appropriate to offer the how-to as I built this skirt in hopes it inspires or helps others with this pattern.  Click the swatch to access the first post: The project wrap up post via this image with all finished results: As well,...

As promised last week, size set B fitting 40" to 46" bust (also with dress & jacket, or dress as a separate) in the 1950's Sarong & Bolero pattern is up and ready to go! I presented my patterning process to a small sewing group last Monday in Phoenix.  The temperature there warranted wearing the 1935 Halter Beach Dress and it was comfy and cool!

This week's 'patterning' was sewing some finish details on the 1929 jacket from pattern SE20-5955 (click images for larger view): This lightweight version of the coat is in the shorter length from a plaid blend (thrift find).  As shown below, a 'kit of parts' for facing the sleeves and lower hem of the jacket (since only a 1" hem was allowed in the original pattern).  I gave a 2" finished hem in the jacket by applying a hem facing rather than lengthen the front and back piece to turn a 2" hem (for lack of enough fabric). (I'll drop the lining in and post photos...

A little flashback to a digital file for the back of the blouse in my next multi-size pattern, the two-piece dress.  It shows basic values I set up when creating a range from the original size of the pattern, here 32" bust:     I mentioned last week the trunk show I will put on for our local American Sewing Guild chapter June 4.  I plan to make the presentation available online after the session.  The digital version will slightly vary from the live demonstration, but should prove informative for those who could not physically attend. I am working away on the...