Sadly this post comes with no pictures, but a request for advice, and an invite!
I’m starting a new challenge called “Check the technique” where I attempt to check off a list of sewing techniques not yet tried, and I was hoping that you could help me.
Firstly, are there any vintage or heirloom techniques you can suggest?
Secondly, any good tutorials you know of? Maybe you’ve done one yourself! My first challenge is grading a vintage pattern (32 bust? Ha! As if), but any help is appreciated.
Thanks in advance! I promise I’ll have something super vintage and fabulous to show off very soon.
Reana Louise x
Ps. This challenge is open to all! If you want to participate, please jump on over to my blog to find out more. Hope to see you soon!
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According to Nancy Zieman's "Fitting Finesse," she says the easiest way of increasing or decrease to another size is to take your actual measurement and subtract the pattern size, then divide by 4 (the total number of cut edges at both side seams). Her other tip is to make a quick fraction: ex. actual measurement – 37" – pattern measurement – 34" = +3" — take the 3 (increase) and place it over the 4 (four sides) = 3/4" increase. Hope her tips help. I've tried other grading systems, but her method is the easiest.
Great idea 🙂 I've not written any tute's myself – but I had already bookmarked the following for later reading, so I'd like to share them with you here 🙂 :-(1) Grading vintage patterns I've got a post on my blog with some handy links:Making The Grade – How to Score an "A" in Pattern Class(2) Insert a waist stayFrom sewaholic.net: Sewing a Waist Stay in a Full-Skirted Dress(3) Scalloped EdgeFrom pattern ~ scissors ~ cloth: Tricks of the Trade: Sculpting the Perfect ScallopFrom Colette Patterns blog: Tutotrial: Make an Easy Scalloped Hem(4) Sew Pants (or shorts)From Sunni at afashionablestitch.com, she ran a trouser (pants) sewalong with fitting tips over several posts: Trouser SewalongFrom: Threads Magazine Tapering or Widening Pants(5) Making a belt with a belt kitSunni is also about to start a series of posts about making belts with belt kits soon! Beltmaking Party!From: Casey's elegant musings: beltmaking 101(6) ShirringFrom Gertie's: Making a Shirred-Back Dress.Kathleen on Grosgrain has a couple of good posts on shirring:Technique Tuesdays: Shirring, and Shirring with your brother (it seems to be tricker on Brother sewing machines!).Enjoy!
Thanks so much for the post and the nice blog in general, I have picked up some great tips from you today, thanks so much, I will be back soon.
You could try out some bound buttonholes and hand picked zippers. I actually sew pretty much all of my zippers by hand now, because I think it looks so much nicer.