Craft Love / Cut two rectangles. Sew a tube on top of both. Pull ribbon/fabric through and knot. Sew sides up. #Tank #DIY. Constructing the Basic Bodice Block. An alternative method of creating garments to using patterns constructed in standard sizes, is to construct a pattern using custom measurements - this results in a garment with a near-perfect fit. The disadvantage is that all the pattern manipulation must be done by the home sewer. However, a great deal of creative variation is possible from such a custom-made pattern using even minor changes. Here I present a step-by-step method to construct the close-fitting basic bodice block. The term "block" is used to describe a pre-pattern template - additional manipulation is required at the end to generate a pattern (e.g. changing the bust dart, adding seam allowances, etc.). This version of the basic bodice block is used to support the development of the bra pattern posted previously, but can also be used for a variety of other garments.
You may also want to look at the companion "sleeve how-to" ( A word about the body measurements needed. Future plans and skirt revision. Thank you all so much for the lovely and kind comments on my last post, all very much appreciated and gratefully received. It is indeed extremely exciting, not least because i've spent the last 40 years wondering just what it is that I would like to do ... and now I know!
Hurray! I wish it hadn't taken quite so long, but I do beleive in fate and the fact that everything has it's time and place, and even pace .. I am feeling very positive and I'm also looking forward to more blogging time! I'm continuing with my skirt making 'series' which never got past the pencil stage last year! Never fear that I have forgotton though, because I have now drawn the diagrams for my high waisted pencil skirt, with belt attachment and with lining based on a technique I found in Threads magazine. If you want to make your own skirts, here are my first three tutorials on how to get to the pencil skirt stage: I hope to post the next tutorial this week sometime so watch this space!
Cutting out the right size pattern. When you cut out a pattern, how do you decide which size to go for? We all come in different shapes and sizes (is that a line from a Paul McCartney song or I have I made that up?) So it's unlikely you'll exactly match one standard pattern size. Moreover, most commercial pattern sizes come up large so their sizing chart can be misleading. In the past I've operated a trial and error policy, but for my Joan Holloway dress (aka V8413 - yes! I'm finally making it!) I thought I'd try a more systematic approach - measuring the pattern pieces and comparing them to my body measurements. I'm documenting it here to remind myself what I did, but hopefully you may find it useful too! I start by taking my measurements - bust, waist, hips and back length.
If I believed the size chart on the back of the pattern, I'd think I was somewhere between a size 10 and 14. What I do next is measure all the pattern pieces across the bust, waist and hip lines. Let's compare results: The Mighty Dart ~ The Role of Darts in your Fitted Clothing. €¨â€¨We’re in awe over every new pattern released by Sarai Mitnick from Colette Patterns. Colette Patterns have a modern vintage look, and impeccable instruction. Our pattern reviewers are always so impressed with the company, the patterns and with their finished results. We’re thrilled Sarai is joining us today for our Make It, Wear It! Series to teach us all a little more about the role of darts in fitted clothing. Colette Patterns has two newly released patterns for you to practice your new Make It, Wear It! Skills on. From Sarai: Darts are deceptively simple things. Let’s start by thinking about the female body.
Curves to be aware of when making a garment. Take a look at this dress form and notice where it curves. A difference of 6 inches between the bust and waist. The high point of each of these curves is known as the apex. A plain, shapeless bodice. 

But when you add a dart, you can remove some of that extra fabric at the waist. Some typical darts on a dress. 1–Comment Here. How to make a tailor's ham.
Make This Look. Free Pattern Month Day 18 - Vivat Veritas: Scallop Waist Skirt. (Today's featured pattern after intro.) I found Chie's blog through her posting her lovely pieces on Grosgrain's flickr boards or through her features on Burdastyle. I'm not quite sure which one it was. But either way, I was hooked. I love how her clothes look amazing from the front AND back. She always on the front pages of Burdastyle and for very good reason! Chie is a japanese seamstress based in Tokyo.
As she sewed more she began documenting her progress and blogging about various aspects of her sewing life. Lotus Flower romper left. Thank you Chie for joining me for Free Pattern Month. Hello Grosgrain readers! This was my first time making a PDF pattern, so if anything is unclearor if you have any suggestions, please contact me through my blog:)Pattern printing instructions: Download the pattern here (vvscallop waist skirt pattern)The pattern should be out on 15 sheets with a thin frame. Cutting Instruction:❤ Waist band – Cut 2 with center folded❤ Skirt piece – Cut 1 with center folded. Home — A Fashionable Stitch. Shaped pockets tutorial. Good morning, friends! Thank you so much for all your sweet words on the skirt I posted Wednesday. Today I’m going to share with you how I drafted those pockets; it’s very easy. Plus it’d be a great way to experiment with various shapes (other than scallops) as well. Shaped side pockets were especially popular in the 50s, when emphasizing the hips was at it’s most popular.
But if you would prefer not to draw as much attention to that area, you can always move the pockets closer to the center front of the skirt as well. Here is a snapshot of essentially what shapes we’ll be creating (sorry for the quality; it’s just a snapshot from inside my sketchbook!). Supplies you’ll need: pattern tracing paper (I use this, but large-sheet tracing paper, non-fusible interfacing or banner paper will work), marker/pencil, paper scissors, straight ruler, and a curved ruler is helpful too.
Draw the shape of your pocket. Lay another piece of pattern paper over top the pocket you’ve just drafted. S Skirt Pattern Calculator. A 60cm long, 50° skirt, made 3cm wider in the waist to allow for darts in the back. Here's a quick pattern calculator that tells you how to make two main arc pieces for a simple flared skirt. It does not consider seams, hems, or seam allowance, but you can figure that out on your own. Instructions Use the 'results' to measure out two identical pieces. The 'degrees' you put in will determine how much flare the skirt's got. On the other hand, if you put in more than 180 degrees, the tape measure will go inside the fabric and swing around the top: (click on either image to see full size) The idea is that you can play with the degrees setting to get pattern that fits the fabric you have.
The table cloth skirt. Measure 1"from the top and this is where your zipper top will be. pin your zipper all along (the 6 inches that is left opened) make sure the zipper is facing away from you. and at the bottom of your opening (like 1/4" lower than your opening) place a pin sideways so you can see where you will need to cross over your zipper using a zipper foot, sew down one side (pull pins out as you go) make sure you are sort of close to the inside of your "teeth" of the zipper. when you get to the needle that indicates where the end of your zipper is suppose to be (the blue needle i put sideways), sew over the zipper, back stitch a few times to make sure you make enough of a "barrier" so your zipper will stop. next you want to sew up the other side still close to the zipper. when you get to the top make sure you back stitch. and cut off the extra zipper part on the bottom. the hardest part of the skirt is now done. you've just done a zipper. pat yourself on the back. i do. sew all around the bottom.
DIY: Wrap-turned-Scarf. Messy dress tutorial. In my opinion, every creative and modern gal needs a messy dress- well maybe not every gal- maybe just me? My 35th birthday is this weekend and there will be celebrating which means I need (or want) something new and funky to wear. Since I am on a fashion budget I decided to transform some cheap cotton dresses I found at Target with a little paint and my new favorite toy- the Tulip Fabric Paint Cannon Before I get started I just have to rave for a minute! Typically I am not "into" the latest and greatest products out there- I not easily impressed and don't like to spend money on trendy supplies. But when something really great comes along and is actually innovative- I get super EXCITED! The Fabric Paint Cannon is part of Tulip's Fashion Graffiti line of products and because I work so much with spray paint and graffiti techniques, I have been waiting YEARS for someone to come up with a product like this!
The reasons I am so excited about this product- Ok...back to the project! Sewing Pattern: Unisex Boxer Short | craftpassion.com. Be it a pair of boxer shorts or a pair of sport shorts… it is a perfect gift to celebrate father’s day for this summer! I made this for my hubby. It is from a pattern I copied from his old favorite sport shorts with some modifications on the front pockets. The cutting is perfect, and comfortable to wear too.
So, I duplicate it to make another pair for him… may be more in future. I might even made some for myself with my favorite fabric prints! I should have put this up earlier, but I was stuck with the paper pattern!!! The size is for maximum hip size of 40″, if you need more, just enlarge it. {CLICK HERE to get pattern & tutorial of Unisex Boxer Shorts.} Pages: 1 2 Print / Download PDF. RUFFLED TOP & Weekend designer. Featured: Abaete Lauren Top Ever the chic choice, a simple shell blouse is the definitive feminine look. With cascading sleeves and a universally flattering shift shape, this sweet style is a fabulous day-to-evening option. Shown here, the Lauren top by Abaeté has flutter sleeves and a bateau neck, an easy fashion project to draft and make up in a lovely silky fashion fabric.
You will need: approx. 2 yds. [2 m] of fashion fabric, 45″[115 cm] wideCoordinating thread1 – hook and eye set Bust – measure just under arm around fullest part of chest. Waist – measure around narrowest part of torso Armhole Depth - measure from top of shoulder to underarm level. Back waist length - measure from nape of neck to waist level. Blouse: Square down from 0 and square across on the pattern paper. 0-1 = back waist length + 2″ [5cm]; square across. 0-2 = armhole depth measurement + ¾” [2 cm]; square across. 0-3 = 2″ [5 cm]; square across Extend distance between 2-3 beyond centerback line by ½” [1.25 cm]. Like this: How to make a High-waist corset skirt. In this tutorial you will learn how to make the pattern and how to sew together a skirt similar to the one below. You will need-measuring tape-paper (the bigger the better)-pencil-eraser-ruler (as long as possible)-cloth-thread-pins/needles-corset boning - if possible the kind you can actually sew on the cloth.
-eyelets-invisible zipper-fusible interfacing-ribbon, lace etc for finishing touches-sewing machine Taking the needed measures: A - waistB - hipC - under bustD - distance from the waistline to the hip-line (it's usually around 18-20 cm / 7,1 - 7,9 in depending on the person)E - distance from the hip-line to the desired skirt length.F - distance between the waistline and the under bust-line (desired height) Making the pattern Start off by creating a box system like you can see in the image below.The distance from point 1 to point 2 is half of your HIP measure ( let's say mine is 95 cm - the distance from 1 to 2 is 47,5 cm for me then). Line nr 4 is the hip line. Okay. The Convertible "Infinity" Dress: How it almost defeated me, and ...
I made this thing. It’s pretty cool. It’s a convertible dress that’s basically a circle and two straps, so it’s really easy, inexpensive, and crazy versatile. It’s been around forever and everyone seems to love it (in fact, part of the reason I’m posting this is to answer some questions for people I’ve run into), and I can hardly believe how close I came to not making it at all. I first found the instructions at a blog called rostitchery, and then I came across a second set at Cut Out + Keep. It sounded so easy. Cut out a circle with a hole in it, sew on two straps, and voila, a dress you can wear a hundred different ways. Sign me up! So I bought some material, spread it out in the living room, cut out my pieces, and… …stopped. I didn’t understand the next step. Turn the skirt inside out? And what’s this about making them overlap each other? There’s, like, a band of fabric involved? What? I figured I was just being thick. And I went upstairs to watch TV.
Even me. Good luck! How To Make An Easy Dress (For Cheap!) Two facts about me: I'm cheap. I love dresses. I wear dresses probably 6 days out of the week. It's not that I one day just decided to wear dresses to feel cute and girly. Far from it. Back in November when I really started Talk2thetrees I kinda just wore pajama pants and sweat pants. Dresses are so comfortable, I can sit around the house and feel comfortable and cute. The only problem.. they are expensive! Here is a tutorial on a High Waisted Dress: For under 6 bucks! First you will need a ribbed tank top. I got mine from Walmart for 2.50 You could also use a t-shirt 3 yards of matching fabric. Clearance section is my favorite. Cut the tank top almost in half. (I cut mine a little too short.. oops!)
For the bottom part of your dress take the fabric and wrap it around your waist about 1 and a half times, and cut in a straight line. I never measure, I never use patterns... Next you fold your fabric in half. You have kind of a big blocky rectangle skirt. We are going to create a ruffle. Choosing fabric: weight vs. drape. {click to enlarge, and feel free to repost!} Weight and Drape Most of us understand the concept of fabric weight. Even neophyte seamsters can tell the difference between a heavy fabric like denim or a wool coating vs a light fabric like silk crepe or chiffon.
You can feel the weight of a fabric easily by the thickness when you feel the fabric in your hand: it feels either light or heavy. I think the concept of drape is a little more elusive. The drape of a fabric is the way it flows over things. But drape is often confused with weight. To illustrate, I made the chart above of several natural fiber fabrics. Choosing Drape and Weight When you choose a fabric for your sewing project, ask yourself these questions to decide on an appropriate weight: Should my fabric be sheer or opaque?
And to decide on an appropriate amount of drape: Will the fabric have enough drape to flow the way I want? Test for Drape I’m interested to hear whether drape is a big concern in your sewing already. DIY-pleated dress. DIY Advent 6: An Old Sweater Becomes a Skirt DIY - Outfits, Shoes & Accessories Dana.