Measuring and Fitting

Learning to make a better fitting garment?  Check out these websites for lots of great information:

Pattern Review’s Fitting-Skirts Knowledge Base

Simplicity

McCalls

Learning to Sew? My Must-Haves

If you walk into any fabric store, you can be completely overwhelmed by all the “stuff” you can use when you sew. But, I think you really only need a few important tools to get started:

• A sewing machine with its manual. I’ve talked before about the importance of your manual. As for your machine--it doesn’t have to be fancy or computerized or even new, but it should be clean. If you have been gifted a machine, it’s probably worth your time to have it serviced. In Shreveport, I recommend Shreveport Sewing Center. (I don't get anything from mentioning them, I just think they are extremely helpful!)
• Dressmakers’ Shears. You want shears as opposed to scissors. Shears have an angled blade that allow you to keep them close to the table as you cut. If you are left-handed, splurge on the left-handed shears. Trust me.
• A Seam Ripper. Yes, you will make mistakes. We all do. Just embrace it and have fun.
• Fabric Marking Tools. This includes chalks, tracing wheels and paper, and pencils.
• Measuring Tape.
• Ruler. I like my clear, plastic 18 x 2 ruler the best.
• Iron and a good pressing surface.
• Pins. I like the longer ones, but that’s just my opinion.
• Needles, both for your machine and hand sewing.
• Fabric and Thread. Personally, I’d recommend you start with a woven cotton, much like those sold in the quilting sections of fabric stores. I find these the easiest to work. You can get started with a good all-purpose thread.

There you go. Just a few notions to get you started.

1 Skirt Pattern, 6 Very Different Skirts

 

TNT:  A “Tried And True” Pattern

Muslin:  A trial garment, used to determine fit.

 

Meet. my TNT.  McCalls 3341.  This simple A-line skirt has become the basis for my skirt wardrobe.  And all for one simple reason—it fits me well!

I started by tracing the pattern from the tissue onto freezer paper.  (I like freezer paper for patterns because its cheap!, plentiful, and sturdy.)  Then I took my measurements.  I adjusted my paper pattern to match my measurements and made a muslin.  After I knew the pattern fit me perfectly, I began to play with design elements.  I made it more flared, straightened it to a pencil skirt, added a ruffle, switch to an elastic-waist skirt, added pleats, etc., all by redrawing my TNT.

Do you have a TNT skirt pattern?  If you are in the Shreveport area, check out this class at LSUS Continuing Ed:  1 Skirt, 3 Ways.

1 Skirt, 3 Ways; well 6 actually

I used McCalls 3341 and did this:

 

 

If you are in the Shreveport/Bossier Area, check out this class at LSUS to learn how to modify 1 pattern into many.

Great Instructions for Beginning Hand Sewing

 

Check out this great tutorial at Sew, Mama, Sew.  It teaches Hand Quilting, but it starts with the most important and basics of steps—knotting the thread in your need. 

Easy Pillowcases

This is a pattern I teach all my new sewing students, no matter their age.  It’s a great way to practice sewing a straight seam and it’s so much fun to see the finished project.  If you’ve never made a pillowcase with these instructions, the middle steps are going to seem quite strange.  Just trust me.  It works.   You can find the instructions here.

Girls’ Sewing Class

Girls Sewing Class

in the Shreveport/Bossier City area

for those finishing 1st – 4th grades

learn to make a pillowcase and an elastic waist skirt with trim

June 1-3

2-5pm

contact me for more information.