Tricks of the Trade: Sculpting the Perfect Scallop

Let me show you how I did the scallops on my Scallop Skirt – this way is quicker, easier, and gets better results than the methods I’ve seen in sewing books. First of all you cut a straight hem, not a scalloped one!  Cut your hem and hem facing about 1cm longer than the finished […]

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Gadget Giveaway!

I’m sold!  Hollie sent me one of her Seam Allowance Guides to review, and for someone who operates on minimal equipment and has very few sewing gadgets to their name, I have to say I love this clever little tool! For those of us who trace Burda patterns or any other pattern system that omits […]

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The Scallop Skirt

I’ve been wanting a scalloped hem skirt for ages but never had the ‘right’ fabric – until I rummaged through the stash the other day and found a metre or so of some grey marl mystery fabric that I thought would be ideal. It is quite scratchy though, I fear it is some sort of polyester-made-to-look-like-but-definitely-not-feel-like-wool. […]

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Tricks of the Trade: A Handworked Thread Loop

For the closure on my emerald silk georgette blouse I hand worked a thread button loop: Handworked thread loops have a nice discreet, lightweight finish and are great for delicate fabrics and areas where there is little stress placed on the closure.  They can also be worked in a straight line to form an eye […]

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Finished – Emerald Silk Georgette Blouse

With little practical sewing progress to report lately, it is good to accomplish one thing and feel a hint of achievement – in the guise of a new emerald silk georgette blouse: This is the one that I hand rolled the hem of the flounce on – Burdastyle August 2009 #117 Blouse.  The fabric is sheer […]

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