tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058218938701965452023-09-16T15:13:05.822-07:00Stitch Coachsteffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-10323343517217890912020-03-23T15:05:00.003-07:002023-09-15T18:47:45.428-07:00My Biggest Sewing Secret<a href="https://amzn.to/48kz6Kw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="1410" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgI-G4ZRofyTWspkpbp6YCEB9RdhCwtYXtCtP3JKzNYZAVfgx5AntNRRl-cGqmmyzsHNjUS3ujX_1uAtNCR7btff4gYStoRQOsjxArI5lwTyKSRgADoOz4u2IhbT4sps_ZPM4aY4Qz8W2gJzRn83SkDX1y07wTvKXM0lnxAVzymHwyv_B9VhJ5Il_Dn8/w640-h442/Screenshot%202023-09-15%20at%208.45.27%20PM.png" width="640" /></a><div>People ask me all the time, what is the best sewing machine for a beginner?<br />
That's a great question. I always say, the best machine for a beginner is one that you can afford and that you'll actually use. Translation: The best sewing machine for a beginner is inexpensive and simple. The more bells and whistles you get on your first sewing machine, the more confusing the process, and the more frustrating the experience. So if you want to try out sewing, start with a basic machine which you can usually find for under $100.<br />
Why is this important? Sewing can be very satisfying when it goes smoothly, but when a beginner is just starting out it can be overwhelming. The best way to enjoy sewing is to have little victories right away! Start simple and learn the basics on a machine that doesn't break the bank and then as you advance, when you find that you need more features, you can check out another more complex machine.<br />
The reason I say this is my secret is that for most of my early career, deep into my time making costumes for Hollywood movies and TV shows, I used the same $69 Brother Sewing machine I bought I graduated from Tulane!<br />
I knew I needed a machine to be able to travel with since I'd be working at one place in the Summer and then another in the Fall etc. so I needed an affordable machine that was lightweight for moving around so much. I also figured I wouldn't be so upset if something happened to it. So I went to the Service Merchandise in town where I was living at the time and I bought a basic<a href="<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=steffistitche-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00JBKVN8S&asins=B00JBKVN8S&linkId=e054ea263a784e4a35c07b0ef52685b3&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>" target="_blank"> Brother sewing machine</a> for $69 (this was in 1990). I'll never forget how much it cost because at the time $69 was a lot of money to me. So I bought the machine and took it to my Summer job as the Costume Coordinator for the smaller theatre at Williamstown Theatre Festival. I made everything for those shows on that little machine and it was easy move around in my makeshift costume shop there. When I moved at the end of that summer to Houston to be the Assistant Costume Designer at the Alley Theatre I took it with me and set it up in my little office. I would mostly do shopping and fittings, but I also made spats and other shoe accessories on it and made several period men's suits on it as a freelancer.<br />
When I moved to Los Angeles I didn't know anyone in the Movie business. I was starting from scratch. I sent out resumes to every place I could think of and called to follow up, but nothing. I overheard a guy at the dog park talking about working on a movie and struck up a conversation. Long story short, a couple of weeks later he asked me if I had a sewing machine and would I like to work. I said sure! So I took that machine and started as a stitcher on my first movie. Every other job after that came from that day in the dog park and he only picked me, a complete stranger, because I had my own machine.<br />
After many years of working in the industry I saved up and bought my very first Pfaff which was my dream machine. More on that lovely lady later. But my point is that I used that first Brother machine up until I taught my own kids to sew on it.<br />
Over the years I read the manual cover to cover and took great care of it. I cleaned and oiled it, and loved learning about how different needles worked on different materials. I had needles for <a href="https://amzn.to/3LnOYC4">knits</a>, for <a href="https://amzn.to/44XuBTn" target="_blank">basic cottons</a>, just <a href="https://amzn.to/44XuBTn" target="_blank">for jeans</a> and even a special <a href="https://amzn.to/3EEgesm" target="_blank">leather needle</a> for vinyl and leather. That machine was perfect for working on wardrobe trailers. Light weight and sturdy, it was simple enough for me troubleshoot on my own and hummed along like a charm as long as I treated her right by keeping her clean and having her serviced regularly.<br />
A friend gave me a sticker for that machine that said "Glamor is my Occupation." It made me so happy that I could do so much with that little machine. Sewing is my Super Power. Hope y'all enjoy it as much as I do.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fffcf8; color: #282829; font-family: , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">You can test that by pulling the fabric in different directions. The straight of grain has the least amount of give, the cross grain has a bit of give and the bias has the most give. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fffcf8; color: #282829; font-family: , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Also most garment pieces are patterned so that the straight of grain runs straight up and down. This allows the fabric to "drape" gracefully along the body. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fffcf8; color: #282829; font-family: , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">So if you can't determine the exact grain, start with assuming that it's straight down the center of the pattern piece and do a mock up. When it's in fabric you'll see right away if the grain is wrong because you'll get a lot of what we call "Drag Lines" or the wrinkles that let you know where something is off.</span>steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-85604608954813033452017-09-19T09:20:00.000-07:002017-09-19T09:42:02.029-07:00Book Announcement!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uuz6sULjLe8/WcFAIdNfDMI/AAAAAAAADiQ/9q51Xwx8cDo3bBUJAZeUI3ERIEcxOUMvQCLcBGAs/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="425" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uuz6sULjLe8/WcFAIdNfDMI/AAAAAAAADiQ/9q51Xwx8cDo3bBUJAZeUI3ERIEcxOUMvQCLcBGAs/s400/cover.jpg" width="340" /></a></div>
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Oh, for goodness sakes, it's been quiet around here. I'm so excited to let you know what I've been up to all these months since I last posted.<br />
I've written my second book and it comes out December 5th!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-45PYitS6Qy4/WcFH93dDypI/AAAAAAAADig/TPrIxREQYSoec9QXo1l8w0qaGHP9_Ct0wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-45PYitS6Qy4/WcFH93dDypI/AAAAAAAADig/TPrIxREQYSoec9QXo1l8w0qaGHP9_Ct0wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2677.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I truly love writing about sewing and the best part of it for me is that love taking in tons of research (research is my FAVORITE thing) from all different sources and distill all that info into clearly written and illustrated pages for people to enjoy.<br />
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There's nothing better than having someone who's been sewing for years say to me, I can't believe I didn't see that before!<br />
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Not sure why but for some reason my super power seems to be this taking in of huge amounts of dry technical information and funneling it all into beautiful, easy to understand visuals.<br />
This is what makes my heart SING!!<br />
So make sure you subscribe for more information on what's coming next, and get ready to see your Sewing Machine in a whole new way!<br />
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You can pre-order on these sites:<br />
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sewing-machine-magic-steffani-lincecum/1125495448" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sewing-Machine-Magic-Machine-Demystify-Accessories/dp/1589239504" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Sewing-Machine-Magic-Steffani-Lincecum/9781589239500" target="_blank">Book Depository</a><br />
<a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/sewing-machine-magic/steffani-lincecum/9781589239500" target="_blank">Waterstones</a><br />
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<br />steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-39935977471864415922017-03-25T22:20:00.001-07:002017-03-25T22:47:09.924-07:00Dress FormsOk kids! Here's one of my most asked questions so here you go:<br />
What dress form should I buy?<br />
Here are some key things to note when buying a dress form and why.<br />
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1. Get a form with collapsible shoulders. </h2>
You'll have a really hard time getting garments on and off if you don't. Trust me. This is a very big pain in the neck if you don't have a way to get the garment on and off when working on it. <br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/PGM-Industry-Dressmaker-Collapsible-Shoulder/dp/B00P9UOLVA/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1490505004&sr=8-3&keywords=pgm+dress+form+collapsible+shoulder&linkCode=li3&tag=steffistitche-20&linkId=b1b4ed066e5fc411d4dcfa1393d98874" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00P9UOLVA&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=steffistitche-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=steffistitche-20&l=li3&o=1&a=B00P9UOLVA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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2. Get a form as close to your size as possible. </h2>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/PGM-601L-16L-Industry-Natural-Adjustable/dp/B01N8P1G6U/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1490503389&sr=8-24&keywords=pgm+dress+form&linkCode=li3&tag=steffistitche-20&linkId=bc20475ea33c9172f44e8bfc7bf5fe28" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B01N8P1G6U&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=steffistitche-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=steffistitche-20&l=li3&o=1&a=B01N8P1G6U" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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Go ahead and take your measurements according to the form company's sizing chart and get the closest size possible without going over. You can also get one form between two sizes you use a lot and make a "skin" for the larger size that you use often.<br />
Which brings me to number 3.<br />
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3. Get a pad set.</h2>
I used one of these for the first time last Summer and it saved me a ton of time building out a shape from scratch, and it also allows you to jump up in size in a more symmetrical way. If you can, go ahead and just spring for the kit, it will last forever and you'll be glad you did.<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CZDK69K/ref=as_li_ss_il?psc=1&linkCode=li3&tag=steffistitche-20&linkId=ee31720da8f1c9dae37c00031805c8a0" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00CZDK69K&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=steffistitche-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=steffistitche-20&l=li3&o=1&a=B00CZDK69K" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
The only thing that was not great about the kit is the "skin" that comes with the kit. It had a very narrow opening at the bottom which made it difficult to fit.<br />
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4. Get a form that you can raise and lower easily and has a heavy stand that rolls. </h2>
The adjustable forms you get are great if you need something to start out, but if you get one, make sure to make or buy something to weight the bottom or you'll end up flinging it around any time you go to turn the form and work from another angle.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dritz-Sew-Dress-Form-Small/dp/B007PBHZK0/ref=as_li_ss_il?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1490505122&sr=1-1&keywords=adjustable+dress+form&linkCode=li3&tag=steffistitche-20&linkId=fa9f33a0c96137dd4b8aa3d59b71faf9" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B007PBHZK0&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=steffistitche-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=steffistitche-20&l=li3&o=1&a=B007PBHZK0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Photographic-Sandbag-Studio-Stands/dp/B00JHCX6US/ref=as_li_ss_il?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1490505256&sr=1-20&keywords=sandbag+for+light+stand&linkCode=li3&tag=steffistitche-20&linkId=07aaa300fbe1c67c3afab23426d2fc61" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00JHCX6US&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=steffistitche-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=steffistitche-20&l=li3&o=1&a=B00JHCX6US" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<h2>
5. Get a form with legs if you'll be making lots of pants and or dance wear. </h2>
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You can't drape pants on a standard form, and once you work on a form that has legs and is suspended from the top you'll never be able to work without one after that. They are really great for using when dying or distressing and you need the garment to be on a body to spray the dye. Just make sure you cover it well with plastic first!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JK01PCS/ref=as_li_ss_il?psc=1&linkCode=li3&tag=steffistitche-20&linkId=90c5d54c5b26ee60ab65c4ebc3aac467" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00JK01PCS&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=steffistitche-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=steffistitche-20&l=li3&o=1&a=B00JK01PCS" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-88666842380425611122017-01-18T19:45:00.002-08:002023-09-16T07:04:08.294-07:00Sewing Machine ManualsThe one thing that helped me most in my sewing life was reading my sewing machine manual.
No joke!
Here are some links to the most common brands:<br />
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<a href="https://babylock.com/machine-support-and-updates">Baby Lock</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.bernina.com/en-US/Support-US/Out-of-Print-Manuals">Bernina</a><br />
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<a href="http://welcome.brother.com/in-en/support-downloads/manuals/home-sewing-machines.html">Brother</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.elnausa.com/en-us/pages.php?page=107">Elna</a><br />
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<a href="http://janome.com/en/support/manuals/">Janome</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.juki.co.jp/industrial_e/products_e/test_manual.html">Juki</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.pfaff.com/en-US/Support-and-Updates/Support">Pfaff</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.singer.com/support?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwpJWoBhA8EiwAHZFzfhTHxGg-nvvx78N-HS-9MT9n0TQMSSN-MNsRJliFGeZeH-pyWT_ElRoCbqMQAvD_BwE">Singer</a><br />
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<a href="https://husqvarnaviking.com/en-US/Support">Husqvarna Viking</a>
steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-69485462950136568662017-01-09T16:34:00.000-08:002017-01-09T16:34:08.448-08:00How to estimate Ruffles and Gathers I remember looking this up for some dresses we were making in Grad School, and for some reason it's always stuck with me.
Usually a good ruffle is between 1.5-3 times the length of the area you're covering, depending on the fullness you want and the weight of your fabric. When using the ruffler or gathering foot to join and gather or ruffle at the same time, here's what I've figured out.
<b>Photos coming soon.</b>
Take a sample unruffled piece and mark it clearly with 1" marks along the edge. Then use it to calibrate your ruffle and get one you like.
Then mark it again with 1" marks for about 3 or 4" and measure how many original 1" marks within each second 1" section.
This will give you the ratio for your ruffle.
So if each section has an average of 2.5 marks you have a 2.5:1 ratio.
And if you have a 15" straight piece to cover then you need 15 x 2.5"= 37.5"
But also add 2" or so of "slop" at the beginning where it isn't ruffled yet and about an inch for your 2 seam allowances.
What do you like to use rufflers or gathering feet for? Let me know if you have any questions in the comments.
steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-78741956348348786752015-12-22T13:01:00.003-08:002016-07-12T14:58:58.952-07:00steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-78536900048028457692015-12-22T13:01:00.001-08:002016-07-12T14:58:52.479-07:00Pride an Prejudice Uniform Trim Project Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSK9UO_XFtc/VnmiHJcsEZI/AAAAAAAABS4/Vq5Ag-JIy4w/s1600/IMG_0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSK9UO_XFtc/VnmiHJcsEZI/AAAAAAAABS4/Vq5Ag-JIy4w/s640/IMG_0104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's the first day of Winter and the week of Christmas. I was going through some photos from last Summer's job at American Players Theatre and though I'd share this fun uniform trim project. I pitched in on this project after my shows had opened and it was very gratifying to see it come together, and to have a tiny snippet of a part in getting this lovely production to the stage.<br />
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The production was <a href="http://americanplayers.org/plays/pride-and-prejudice" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pride and Prejudice</a> and the Costume Designer was <a href="http://www.utexas.edu/finearts/tad/people/mickey-susan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Susan Mickey</a> from the University of Texas at Austin. The Draper for this show was <a href="http://americanplayers.org/about/people/kathie-brookfield" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kathy Brookfield</a>, and the Tailor for the menswear was <a href="http://americanplayers.org/about/people/sheila-morris" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sheila Morris</a>. Kathy was in charge of draping the women's costumes, which where absolutely stunning. And Sheila was in charge of the menswear, including the absolutely swoon worthy tailcoat and overcoat for Mr. Darcy.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7YCAb6pPnjo/VnmgW9vBZXI/AAAAAAAABSU/twf45zo0EY0/s1600/IMG_9848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7YCAb6pPnjo/VnmgW9vBZXI/AAAAAAAABSU/twf45zo0EY0/s640/IMG_9848.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--jcXTwV1JVc/VnmdH8zrneI/AAAAAAAABR0/W852RAepfes/s1600/darcy%2Btailcoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--jcXTwV1JVc/VnmdH8zrneI/AAAAAAAABR0/W852RAepfes/s640/darcy%2Btailcoat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The principle actor's costumes were built in house by the APT costume shop. A portion of the costumes were "pulled" from the exquisitely archived costume stock at APT. The military uniforms were manufactured by a custom uniform shop according to the actor's measurements. They were then shipped to the costume shop in Spring Green Wisconsin where they were fit on the actors by tailor Sheila Morris. Each of the coats was then altered according to the standards used by the shop to assure that they will be able to be used by many other actors for years to come.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This uniform was being altered at the center back neckline for a custom fit specifically for this actor in this production. <br />
The coat will be able to be re-altered in the future. </td></tr>
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Then Susan and her assistant <a href="http://americanplayers.org/about/people/kelsey-vidic" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kelsey Vidic</a> set up and designed trim for each tailcoat individually using gold braid and shoulder boards that they purchased or pulled for the show. They set up all the trim by pinning each section of braid on the uniforms while on dress forms and took photos of them. I was then able to reference the photos when pinning and sewing the trim. Kelsey bagged each of the trim "kits" separately. These bags of trim were carefully marked with the actor's name and stored with the photo in the boxes used to organize all the little pieces and parts assigned to each character.<br />
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I found the placement for the trim by basting in some guide lines so the finished points would all line up when the coat was closed. Note that the center of the body is not the same line as the edge of the coat front. So I had to mark the center of the body and measure the distance of all the trim pieces from that line, not the coat front line. </div>
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I placed the top and bottom pieces individually based on the distance from the bottom of the coat and the shoulder line. I then counted the remaining pieces that needed to fit in between the top and bottom and used one of my favorite <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/stitchcoach-20/detail/B004O9C6DW" target="_blank">tools</a> to find those evenly spaced marks</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Of9WYMCSUIQ/VnmxnUYGQ0I/AAAAAAAABUU/zFrLu2sic9g/s1600/simflex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="507" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Of9WYMCSUIQ/VnmxnUYGQ0I/AAAAAAAABUU/zFrLu2sic9g/s640/simflex.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/stitchcoach-20/detail/B004O9C6DW" target="_blank">Simflex Sewing Gauge</a></div>
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After all the placement was marked I made the individual trim units by cutting the braid and using <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/stitchcoach-20/detail/B000YQKIDY" target="_blank">Fraycheck</a> on the ends to assure that they didn't unravel, as they proved to be considerably unravely. </div>
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<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/stitchcoach-20/detail/B000YQKIDY" target="_blank">Fray check</a><span id="goog_386396467"></span><span id="goog_386396468"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
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After the trim was dry I could zig zag the pieces together by starting at the ends and zigging across the ditch. The walking foot on my machine came in very handy to keep everything going smoothly and accurately. </div>
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I then pinned the little trim units onto the coat front and again used my walking foot or IDT for Pfaff users to keep the work very precise.<br />
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All pinned and ready to sew. </div>
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The finished coat front. </div>
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They each got sleeve and collar trim and big whopper popper closures as well. </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I thought you might enjoy the process of how these things come together.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"> The trim only portion of all these uniforms (I believe there were a total of 6) took me the better part of a 40 hour work week to complete. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">In sharing this I hope you are able to see how much thought and care go into a production. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">If you have any questions or comments please share in the comments section below. How have you handled tricky multiples projects? I love to hear what you like to see more of so let me know. I take pictures of all my projects as I go now so I have a lot more in the vault to share. </span></div>
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<script src="//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US"></script>steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-79631600596671328802015-10-05T19:37:00.003-07:002023-02-06T18:06:34.053-08:00Swing Jacket Pattern!My first garment pattern is now available in my Etsy shop!<br />
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<span face=", "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">This pattern is a very easy to sew swing jacket that has a flattering strong vertical front neckline, bracelet length sleeves, a timeless vintage inspired silhouette, and only requires 2 yards of 55" wide fabric for all sizes. It includes sizes S -3XL. (See photos for sizing information.) </span><br />
<span face=", "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Great for layering, and can be made in woven or knits in weights from sheer to mid-weight linen to wool melton or polar fleece or sweatshirt fleece depending on the season. </span><span face=", "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">This jacket is easy to wear and easy to make with convenient on seam pockets, and the entire jacket is two pattern pieces: The jacket body (including sleeves and pockets) and the neckband. There are optional instructions for finishing either with standard turn and fold topstitching hems or with hemstitching for a vintage look. </span><span face=", "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Enjoy!</span><br />
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Go to my Etsy shop here: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/583593431/swing-jacket-pdf-pattern-print-at-home?click_key=1c84a34ab5a68bcbe6bb7e989b43a32187532a67%3A583593431&click_sum=5e450545&ref=shop_home_active_1&crt=1" target="_blank">Swing Jacket Pattern</a>steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-89642395613860686492015-09-04T07:31:00.001-07:002015-09-04T07:34:38.449-07:00Patterning Gathers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hi guys, I get a lot of questions on my Craftsy <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/SteffaniLincecum_191_F" target="_blank">Pattern Drafting from Ready to Wear</a> class about how to handle gathers. Up to now I've been able to explain it pretty well in just words, but I got a request for a visual, so I've drawn a few illustrations for it. </div>
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First when the area you are patterning is pinned down, make sure you pin it to the square as shown in the class demonstration. Smooth the garment as much as possible wherever possible and pin that area. </div>
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Note that not all areas will touch the line on your paper because of the gathers. Just let it pull away and keep the garment straight and square as you pin. </div>
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Remove the garment and see the pin holes as in the other pieces you've done already.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">Draw in your lines, but where the gathered area is, use the curved ruler I demonstrate in the class to extend the armscye area straight up, and use the L line you've drawn on the paper to find the outer edge of the fold line at the top. (If the garment is folded on the straight of grain, you know that this will be a straight line extending all the way through the </span>front of the garment. </div>
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Then you just proceed as usual by putting in your seam allowances and cutting and sewing instructions. </div>
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I hope this helps!</div>
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Please let me know and I will continue to supplement the class discussion in this way. </div>
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<br />steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-35946478706736619882015-01-23T17:43:00.000-08:002015-01-23T17:43:00.413-08:00THANK YOU!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Holy Moly! I got nominated for a blogging award! This humble little blog I made to share what I can't stuff into all my classes. Thanks so much whoever nominated me! I'm super grateful!</div>
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You can VOTE on this and all the other categories here:</div>
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2015/01/blogger-awards-sewing-quilting/?_ct=rbew&_ctp=141646" target="_blank">VOTE</a></h2>
steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-34704870690920539232015-01-15T18:19:00.001-08:002016-07-12T14:41:56.796-07:00Tailoring SuppliesI get a ton of questions about the best resources for tailoring supplies, so here are some of my best go to resources for all things tailoring.<br />
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SHOULDER PADS<br />
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These are the shoulder pads I always use in jacket and coat tailoring and they come in 2 sizes, 3/4" and 1" I get the 3/4" for women's styles and the 1" for men's as a general rule, but depending on the project you may want the other. It's a case by case thing. As I point out in my classes, they look a lot fluffier when you get them than you think they need to be but they compress a lot when you put them in. They are sold in pairs. If you think you might like this tailoring thing get several pairs at once and then you just have them around if you want to whip something up or if you're needing to refresh something old, or ad an extra pad to someone that's a little asymmetrical. These are just great to have on hand. You can buy them at <a href="http://sewtrue.com/Store/Uncovered-Needlepunch-Set-In-Pad-P495.html" target="_blank">SEW TRUE HERE</a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Maelitu3s1I/VLhraQleipI/AAAAAAAAA6I/9a32nlMU4rU/s1600/shoulder%2Bpad%2Bphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Maelitu3s1I/VLhraQleipI/AAAAAAAAA6I/9a32nlMU4rU/s1600/shoulder%2Bpad%2Bphoto.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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SLEEVE HEADS<br />
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These are the sleeve heads I always use in jacket and coat tailoring. As with the shoulder pads, they look a lot fluffier when you get them than you think they need to be but they compress a lot when you put them in. They're sold in pairs, and again, these are also just great to have on hand. You can buy them at <a href="http://sewtrue.com/Store/Sleeve-Heads-P322.html" target="_blank">SEW TRUE HERE</a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jMUUTBxQ4rc/VLhradBvmpI/AAAAAAAAA6E/gbedEGr9sM8/s1600/sleeve%2Bheads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jMUUTBxQ4rc/VLhradBvmpI/AAAAAAAAA6E/gbedEGr9sM8/s1600/sleeve%2Bheads.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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HAIR CANVAS<br />
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Here's the sew in canvas I use in my Jacket tailoring classes. It can be found at many online and brick and mortar retailers, as it's the most common old school tailoring supply. I'm just giving you the link for <a href="http://sewtrue.com/Store/Pellon-Sew-in-Hair-Canvas-for-traditional-tailoring-P2660.html" target="_blank">SEW TRUE</a> to keep it all tidy and you can pretty much order most all of these supplies from them or <a href="http://www.bblackandsons.com/" target="_blank">B. Black and Sons</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2XVEAwowCuM/VLhuuwykMtI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/z5zFU2-_GBI/s1600/hair%2Bcanvas%2Bsew%2Bin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2XVEAwowCuM/VLhuuwykMtI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/z5zFU2-_GBI/s1600/hair%2Bcanvas%2Bsew%2Bin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It also comes in a fusible version which is very useful and I've had terrific luck with it staying fused and it shapes just the same as the sew-in, but you don't have to do all that pad stitching. Here's the link to the <a href="http://sewtrue.com/Store/Pellon-Fusible-Hair-Canvas-for-Tailoring-P2661.html" target="_blank">SEW TRUE</a> page where you can buy it. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mIlpu9Q08dk/VLhvm4IHiSI/AAAAAAAAA6k/kSYJjXpHJKc/s1600/fusible%2Bhair%2Bcanvas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mIlpu9Q08dk/VLhvm4IHiSI/AAAAAAAAA6k/kSYJjXpHJKc/s1600/fusible%2Bhair%2Bcanvas.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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BASTING THREAD</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8dJyiQXWGV0/VLhwdTzSijI/AAAAAAAAA6w/gQbteAsOjOc/s1600/BASTING%2BTHREAD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8dJyiQXWGV0/VLhwdTzSijI/AAAAAAAAA6w/gQbteAsOjOc/s1600/BASTING%2BTHREAD.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This thread is tha bomb. It's very stiff so it doesn't tangle easily, it's all cotton so it breaks easily and it's just the best thing for doing a lot of basting. You see this in tailor's shops everywhere. It's the real deal. The old school tailors don't use a lot of pins, they mark with chalk and baste with this, so they always have a needle loaded up with this at all times. I can't say enough how great this is. Get one, they last forever. You can buy it from <a href="http://www.bblackandsons.com/basting-thread-p-900.html" target="_blank">B. Black and Sons Here</a></div>
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TAILORS' CHALK</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iE5R7ZCV8bQ/VLhyMgsCmpI/AAAAAAAAA68/U1Tl3mHlWdA/s1600/wax%2Bchalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iE5R7ZCV8bQ/VLhyMgsCmpI/AAAAAAAAA68/U1Tl3mHlWdA/s1600/wax%2Bchalk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And speaking of chalk, this is all I ever use. It's the most often used among all the tailors I've ever worked with. It has a nice sharp edge and it disappears when you iron it, really disappears. If you ever use it and find that it doesn't disappear on a fabric, you just scrape the line lightly with your fingernail and it does. If I was a little more photo shop oriented I'd draw some radiating beams of sunlight around this box of chalk in the photo. Buy a box and you will have some left over for your grandkids. They make a sharpening gadget as well, but old school tailors just sharpen them with a razor blade. You can get these at <a href="http://www.bblackandsons.com/pmc-regular-tailors-wax-crayons-p-328.html" target="_blank">B. Black and Son here</a>.<br />
To be continued...<br />
Enjoy!<br />
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<script src="//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US"></script>steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-22640209146398651722014-10-31T07:43:00.000-07:002014-10-31T07:49:50.306-07:00Vintage Jacket Pattern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hlmmntxExHo/VFOa2jXPuwI/AAAAAAAAA3k/8p3AT8UR4mc/s1600/IMG_8939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hlmmntxExHo/VFOa2jXPuwI/AAAAAAAAA3k/8p3AT8UR4mc/s1600/IMG_8939.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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This week I got started patterning a cool Vintage Jacket that was hanging in the background for my Classic Tailoring: The Blazer class on Craftsy. I've had so many people ask me about it, I figured it would be a good one to start with if I'm going to make patterns to sell. So I've been spiffing up the workroom, sent off a couple of boxes of fabric donation to one of my favorite University Costume Shops, and threw a ton of stuff away and it's soooo much nicer. I replaced all my burned out lightbulbs, cranked up the Netflix and got started. I'll be posting my progress here. If you'd like to know the whole process, that I use for making the paper pattern, here's a $25 off discount link to the </div>
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/SteffaniLincecum_191_H" target="_blank">Pattern Drafting from Ready to Wear</a> Class </div>
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to give you all the nitty gritty details of the how and why.</div>
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After I get it all paper patterned I'm going to use Illustrator to make a digital pattern. Last year I stumbled upon this great class by Lauren Dahl, <a href="http://patternworkshop.com/" target="_blank">Pattern Workshop</a>. So I'll be using that to hone the illustrator ninja skills I got from writing my book. Then I'll get to do the digital part of the drafting and grading, and tiling the whole shebang for digital download. Her class could not have been offered at a better time for me. I'm excited to get moving on it. </div>
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What's on your cutting table this week?</div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2905821893870196545%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F3.bp.blogspot.com%252F-hlmmntxExHo%252FVFOa2jXPuwI%252FAAAAAAAAA3k%252F8p3AT8UR4mc%252Fs1600%252FIMG_8939.JPG%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 113px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2905821893870196545%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F3.bp.blogspot.com%252F-hlmmntxExHo%252FVFOa2jXPuwI%252FAAAAAAAAA3k%252F8p3AT8UR4mc%252Fs1600%252FIMG_8939.JPG%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 113px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-52824446283304591622014-09-16T16:14:00.001-07:002014-09-16T16:14:28.134-07:00What size do I cut my pattern if I'm not all one size? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXKeRLTTf1o/VBiwcjj6pzI/AAAAAAAAA1I/0MehIo8YGek/s1600/size%2Bchart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXKeRLTTf1o/VBiwcjj6pzI/AAAAAAAAA1I/0MehIo8YGek/s1600/size%2Bchart.jpg" height="196" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the most common question I get in my sewing classes when we're working from a sewing pattern. You take your measurements according to the package directions and then you find those measurements on the chart on the envelope. But your bust is in one size column, your waist is in another size column and your hips could even be in a third column. You don't know which size to buy let alone cut out and sew. Where to start?<br /><br /><div>
Well, this is the shortest, easiest way to get the best result. </div>
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I'll show you how you can use all those sizes and make a garment that is the closest thing you'll have to fitting your personal shape. </div>
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First let me say, there's a lot that goes into making these patterns and the companies do their best to come up with the most common averages of waist to hip to bust ratios, but very few people are the exact statistical average proportions. There are as many different variables on shapes and proportions as there are people. The sewing patterns you buy are just a very good solid jumping off point, it's up to you to know that there's nothing wrong with you for being different sizes, these are just useful pieces of paper that are meant to help, not make you pull out your hair. They're meant to be tools that when mastered, let you be more creative. </div>
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So, let's just assume that pretty much everyone will need to know how to cut for several sizes within one garment and go from there. </div>
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Next we need to decide which size to actually buy. My advice is to buy the size that will fit your bust and shoulder area, because these are the areas with the most variables in fitting and if you can begin with a size in this area that's as close to you as possible, the waist and hips and lengths are much easier to adjust. </div>
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When I'm doing a private sewing lesson, I show the person how to mark all the seam allowances on the paper pattern and then measure the pattern at different points (bust, waist, hips, etc) and check the measurements agains their own. This is when I explain also, that the pattern designer adds in a bit extra over and above the actual measurement for ease. This can be very little for a very fitted garment like a strapless bodice on a dress, to a great deal of ease like about 4" for a coat. Jackets are about 2" and so on. Each company has their own standards for ease, this is why you may wear different sizes for different companies. There's also the idea of those companies having different sample sizes that they begin with and then grade the patterns up and down from there. But that's another discussion for another time. (For more on this, I'd highly recommend Kathleen Fasanella's book <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/stitchcoach-20?node=2&page=6" target="_blank">The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing</a>.)</div>
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So lets say you are making the simple jacket from my Classic Tailoring: the Blazer class, B4610</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xha9FYuHEXw/VBiYGSjv8GI/AAAAAAAAA08/FZ4GILCqPiM/s1600/envelope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xha9FYuHEXw/VBiYGSjv8GI/AAAAAAAAA08/FZ4GILCqPiM/s1600/envelope.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></div>
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You've taken your measurements and they show that you would need a 16 in the bust, an 18 in the waist and a 16 in the hips. I circle my measurements as shown above to make sure I don't have to look back at the measurement sheet again for this project for these measurements. </div>
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So based on my logic of buying the size that most closely matches the bust I'd buy the envelope with the size 16 in it and adjust the waist and hips. </div>
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When I begin the project I find all the pattern pieces for that size and as my Home-ec teacher Mrs. Pool taught me in the 6th grade, I "whack" those out roughly, just so I can get to them all and work with them (you'll want to cut them out with an ample extra amount in the area you need to adjust for, if you're adjusting past the range of the sizes that are marked within these pieces, for example if you where measuring more in the 22 range on the waist or hips you'll just draw that in using the same logic of grading that you see for the other sizes.)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq90AF_acnk/VBiXnqGoQCI/AAAAAAAAA0s/qzosGS8mf-I/s1600/jacketwaistcu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq90AF_acnk/VBiXnqGoQCI/AAAAAAAAA0s/qzosGS8mf-I/s1600/jacketwaistcu.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once you have your pieces free from the group, then you'll go through each piece and mark the lines that you'll cut for that particular area based on your measurements. I like to use a contrasting pencil or marker so there's no doubt where the line is, and you don't lose track of which size you're cutting while you're cutting into your precious fabric. </div>
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(But of course you'll make a muslin first for fitting, right?)</div>
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So as you can see below I marked the lines for the size 16 on the bust area. I've also drawn in the sizes here so you can see which size I'm marking. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dJNQCgCM_U8/VBiXj6JLSzI/AAAAAAAAA0U/Chv2hBKeMuA/s1600/jackettop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dJNQCgCM_U8/VBiXj6JLSzI/AAAAAAAAA0U/Chv2hBKeMuA/s1600/jackettop.jpg" height="640" width="473" /></a></div>
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Next you'll go to the waist area and just put a mark on the waist at the size line you intend to cut for that area, and then do the same with the hip area. Then go back in with your gridded ruler and connect those lines as shown below. If you need to use a curve you can use that tool as well. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_6LSjwWeEJk/VBiXlLN2sNI/AAAAAAAAA0c/1-4DNiCoFtU/s1600/jacketmarkingbust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_6LSjwWeEJk/VBiXlLN2sNI/AAAAAAAAA0c/1-4DNiCoFtU/s1600/jacketmarkingbust.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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So we connect the size 16 bust area to the size 18 waist area. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_clowfi-az4/VBiXmfGTCAI/AAAAAAAAA0k/TrpI6QX09hw/s1600/jacketmarkingwaist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_clowfi-az4/VBiXmfGTCAI/AAAAAAAAA0k/TrpI6QX09hw/s1600/jacketmarkingwaist.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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And then the size 18 waist area to the size 16 hip area. And Voila! You have your adjusted pattern piece. Then you do the same with all the other pattern pieces. Mark every cutting line with the size that will fit your measurements. It's so simple, if you've been sewing and making things from patterns for a while it may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how relieved people can be to see it demonstrated clearly. I agonized for years over whether it was better to adjust a pattern from the perimeter, or slash and spread from the inside. You'll find that if you were to slash and spread a version of this pattern and then do this method and put one on top of the other, they would be the same, given that you were adding the same amounts that the manufacturer adds for grading. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7TN1OU6fU7w/VBiXoKeGaqI/AAAAAAAAA00/Xd1e4tzze_A/s1600/wideshotjacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7TN1OU6fU7w/VBiXoKeGaqI/AAAAAAAAA00/Xd1e4tzze_A/s1600/wideshotjacket.jpg" height="640" width="523" /></a></div>
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This is also a terrific way to evaluate whether this style would be flattering on you. Often those of us who wore classic, fitted shapes with fitted side seams, and traditional horizontal bust darts and under bust darts in our 20s and 30s try to continue with that style because we think that's what's most flattering, but our bodies have changed and we might be better suited to a style that has maybe a diagonal french dart. </div>
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(But this is another whole discussion for another day.)</div>
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Anyway, doing this helps us to take our real world measurements and apply them to a pattern, taking out the guess work of which size to buy, and which size to cut and sew. </div>
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This is just the tip of the pattern alteration iceberg as it were. If you'd like to know more about pattern alteration I'd recommend these great classes.</div>
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/SteffaniLincecum_173_CP" target="_blank">Sew the Perfect Fit by Linda Maynard</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/SteffaniLincecum_314_CP" target="_blank">Fast Track Fitting by Joi Mayhon</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/SteffaniLincecum_375_CP" target="_blank">Adjust the Bust</a> and <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/SteffaniLincecum_436_CP" target="_blank">Custom Fitting: Back, Neck and Shoulders</a> and <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/SteffaniLincecum_491_CP" target="_blank">Custom Fitting: Waist and Hips</a> by Kathleen Cheetham</div>
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/SteffaniLincecum_133_CP" target="_blank">Plus Size Pattern Fitting and Design</a> by Barbara Deckart</div>
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/SteffaniLincecum_491_CP" target="_blank">Jacket Fitting Techniques</a> by Pam Howard</div>
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What sort of alterations do you usually make to your patterns? </div>
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steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-13004783593845169812014-07-23T12:47:00.000-07:002015-05-04T20:10:09.889-07:00New Class Giveaway! Inside Vogue Patterns: Coatmaking Techniques<br />
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<i style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">This post contains affiliate links, which help me keep my blog up and running - </i><br />
<i style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">thanks for the support!</i><span style="background-color: #f6f5f4; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"> </span><br />
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I'm so excited to announce that my newest collaboration </div>
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with Craftsy and Vogue patterns will be </div>
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coming out soon and I can't wait to share it with you all!<br />
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Enter <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/SteffaniLincecum_Giveaway" target="_blank">here</a> to win my newest class.<br />
Hurry, the contest ends Monday, July 28th at Midnight!<br />
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Here's a sneak peek at Inside Vogue: Coatmaking Techniques!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c3pHwe2SofI/U8_6EufWU_I/AAAAAAAAArQ/tp8zF5onCd0/s1600/_4791-Inside-Vogue-Patterns-3-9934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c3pHwe2SofI/U8_6EufWU_I/AAAAAAAAArQ/tp8zF5onCd0/s1600/_4791-Inside-Vogue-Patterns-3-9934.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I'll be sewing this terrific newly released Vogue coat pattern that has a sweet peter pan collar, princess seams with inset pockets and a full skirt that comes with several length variations. </div>
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My version will focus on working with tricky fabrics, like the velvet collar shown in this version.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HClh7Ky2wPk/U8_8DciOIKI/AAAAAAAAArw/fLVnJMRmO1U/s1600/4791_ForMarketing_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HClh7Ky2wPk/U8_8DciOIKI/AAAAAAAAArw/fLVnJMRmO1U/s1600/4791_ForMarketing_012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And of course it wouldn't be a class from me without some additional details, like a surprise inner "chinese wedding pocket" and these lovely hand worked buttonholes.</div>
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The class materials will feature where to find all these great tailoring supplies and fabrics. And Craftsy is even cooking up a kit that will have fabric that you can purchase as well. </div>
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steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-58854251830780998882014-02-05T08:42:00.000-08:002014-02-05T09:12:56.040-08:00Pink Ribbon Makeover<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0fo4ltBKBA/UvJkENaunoI/AAAAAAAAAk4/eb0dzwz4h-c/s1600/529_Headshots_Still_013_retouched+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--0fo4ltBKBA/UvJkENaunoI/AAAAAAAAAk4/eb0dzwz4h-c/s1600/529_Headshots_Still_013_retouched+copy.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've been wanting to address what I've been up to this past year, but it's been hard to know how much to share here. People who know me from Madison have seen me out and about and have heard through facebook what was going on, but I wanted to let you guys who may have taken a class with me in the past or just found me through the blog or my book what's up and why I haven't been very active here this past year. </div>
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So I'll share a post I made in the Craftsy forums to explain: </div>
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<span class="convHdr" style="background-color: #f1efed; display: block; font-family: museoslab300; font-size: 18px; line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px;">What's with the sassy haircut, Steff?</span><span style="background-color: #f1efed; font-family: MuseoSans300, 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Lots of folks have been wondering about my new look. So I wanted to share with you that after I shot my class "Pattern Drafting from Ready to Wear" In late 2012 I was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. So my 2013 was spent doing lots of chemo, radiation and surgery. In the process of chemo I lost my hair. I like to think of it as my "Pink Ribbon Makeover." But the great news is that I'm finished with treatment and doing very well now. I'm so grateful that because of Craftsy I was able to maintain my teaching work through this terrific learning environment. I couldn't be more delighted to be able to reach so many of you great students, right where you are and just as I am. What a terrific age we live in! So don't forget your Mammograms ladies. Happy Sewing!</span><br />
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So yep, I got the old Pink Ribbon Makeover this past year. In fact it was exactly a year ago when my first Crafsty classes came out that I noticed a lump under my arm. I had had a pretty thorough diagnostic mammogram a few years before and I guess I thought that was a good excuse to ease up on my yearly mammograms. Somehow I thought that if there was anything there, it would have been found then and that surely nothing could go wrong in just a couple of years.<br />
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I was wrong. I had been getting more and more tired, but just thought it was from being busy and working, but now looking back I should have been more concerned about my energy level. Also looking back I realize that I had been reminded to get a mammogram from my Doctor's office, but I put it off. Only when I felt a lump did I go in and by that time it had spread to my lymph nodes.<br />
I really want to share this story mostly because I know that those of us who take care of others are so hesitant to take care of ourselves. I need to let you know this to know that by the time I got to the oncologist's office for my first Chemo treatment the lump measured 4 cm. And this is the crazy part: Three different surgeons, not to mention the multiple other doctors, but three separate SURGEONS that I saw all had the same comment. "I wouldn't have felt that on an exam." And it was 4 cm.<br />
So the takeaway here is that you've gotta "feel your boobies" as they say, on a regular basis. And not just your breast tissue, but your underarm area as well.<br />
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I'm so incredibly grateful for all the care that I received through chemo, surgery and then radiation and now the occupational therapy that I'm getting for lymphadema. I just know that if I'd had my yearly mammograms, it would have been caught sooner and would have had more options.<br />
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So take care of yourselves, no one can do that for you!<br />
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<br />steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-65159094567043113252014-02-05T08:12:00.000-08:002015-05-04T20:12:13.590-07:00Classic Tailoring class on Craftsy<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>This post contains affiliate links, which help me keep my blog up and running - </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">thanks for the support!</span><span style="background-color: #f6f5f4; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span></i></div>
Hi everybody, log time no blog! I've been working on getting this great new class together for Craftsy this past year, and a few other things I'll talk about in another post, but I wanted to let you know that the new class is live on the Craftsy site now and I'm so incredibly excited to share it with you!<br />
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For following the blog I'd like to invite you to use this link for $25 off my new Craftsy class. </div>
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/Lincecum_529_H" target="_blank">Go to class page</a></div>
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This class is so full of great stuff. I got to share so many little tips and secrets I've learned along my way from working with tailors over the past 25 years.</div>
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We use a very classic commercial pattern and I sank you through the steps of creating all the new inner structure pieces that take a jacket like this to the next level. </div>
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These are methods that can be translated later into so many other garments. It's just a old school tailoring boot camp that will give you the tools and confidence to tackle any tailoring project you might come across in the future. </div>
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This is the class I would teach if I were addressing a group of costume or fashion design students, and it's available through Craftsy to anyone who'd like to learn these time-tested methods. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-916_nJIIWyw/UvJikvVFzVI/AAAAAAAAAks/nbBPG51BMDc/s1600/529_Marketing_Still_007_retouched+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-916_nJIIWyw/UvJikvVFzVI/AAAAAAAAAks/nbBPG51BMDc/s1600/529_Marketing_Still_007_retouched+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So I hope you like it, and enjoy the interactive question and answer format where I can address all you tailoring questions. There's also a great project gallery for you to share your work with others who are taking the class and see their progress as well. </div>
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I can't wait to see what you make!</div>
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steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-41079307405686686332013-10-07T18:56:00.001-07:002015-05-02T07:12:17.789-07:00Blind Hem Fabric Folding Tutorial!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I get a lot of questions about how to fold your fabric when using the blind hem foot. Here is a little illustration I created to explain it. If you have no idea what on earth this is all about then check out my Craftsy class </div>
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Sewing Machine Feet from A to Z (It's free y'all!) and you'll see what this is all about. </div>
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I hope this helps! Happy Sewing you guys!</div>
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steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-9671588672479149922013-01-30T12:52:00.000-08:002013-01-30T12:52:14.459-08:00New Year, New Projects!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I've been busy working on a couple of Craftsy.com classes last fall, that are launching this week! One is an extended version of my garment copying class that I've done at the American Sewing Guild Conference, Nancy's Notions, and the Electric Needle. It is an in depth tutorial of my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Patternmaking-Perfect-Fit-Technique-Re-create/dp/0823026663/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358282851&sr=8-1&keywords=patternmaking+for+a+perfect+fit" target="_blank">Patternmaking for a Perfect Fit </a>book called <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/patterndrafting_fp" target="_blank">Pattern Drafting from Ready to Wear</a> and will be a interactive class that you can view at your own pace and ask questions of both myself and other members of the Craftsy community who are taking the class. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">There is also a new free mini-class called <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/sfsl" target="_blank">Sewing Machine Feet from A to Z </a> all about sewing machine feet and what they can do to make you look like a real sewing smarty pants. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">My dream project that I've been working on since my book came out is now coming together this year, a new sewing pattern company called Red Twig Patterns. I've been working on this for a while and now have a partner in the company, my fellow CTM Costume Designer, Monica Butler! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">We are busy cooking up some cool, garment and accessory patterns for you to try, some from my personal collection of patterns drafted for shows, and some new shapes. We are in the process of getting the kinks worked out with patterning software, grading, printing, and packaging. Please subscribe from the box on the right to keep up with all the developments! </span></span></span>steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-79025533073231096472012-11-29T22:04:00.001-08:002014-05-05T10:49:37.884-07:00Dart Tutorial: Bodice with two French Darts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I just got out of another great garment copying class, and was inspired to share some of the tips I've been passing along in class about the ins and outs of adding back darts into a pattern from a vintage garment. </div>
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THIS IS NOT A TUTORIAL ON MOVING DARTS, IT IS SPECIFIC TO THE PROCESS OF <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Patternmaking-Perfect-Fit-Technique-Re-create/dp/0823026663" target="_blank">MAKING A PATTERN FROM AN EXISTING GARMENT</a>.</div>
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For some reason, this is where people usually get really freaked out and confused. So I've made some illustrations riffing on one of the photos from my book. It's from the dress section where I've just gotten the outline of the bodice front and it's time to add in the extra for the darts and re-draw the darts to make the pattern. It ends up looking like this. It pulls away from center slightly at the bottom, as you can see and the armscye shape is distorted. These little distortions end up being clues as to where the extra fabric that's in the darts comes from...</div>
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We know that the amount that we need to add back into the pattern is a given. </div>
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We find it by measuring the original garment’s dart or pleat.</div>
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We measure those and come up with a total amount that we nee to add in. </div>
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Let’s say for example each of the darts measures 1” a the side seam. </div>
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So we know the total for each dart is 2” and so for 2 darts that would be 4” So we need to find 4” somewhere to add back into the pattern piece to accommodate the darts. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocjhATHdZWo/ULhFTrUCd5I/AAAAAAAAAXo/Vo50gB74S-g/s1600/Dart+Tutorial+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocjhATHdZWo/ULhFTrUCd5I/AAAAAAAAAXo/Vo50gB74S-g/s640/Dart+Tutorial+2.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a></div>
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The 1” difference in our tracing of the garment and the
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1” and by adding 1” to the shape of the
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That is 2 of the 4” we need so you can assume that you will
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Ok so once you have the roughed in outline of how much you'll need to accommodate your darts it's time to flesh in those darts. But where to start. This is where I say in my class, take a deep breath and shake it off, you are going to have to go from the basic premise that you have all the info you need in the original garment, and you will take the measurements of the darts relative to other landmarks and sketch them in, making sure you like the distance of the finished (closed) dart by folding the paper and seeing what it will look like. If your measurements all add up then you know you'll be covered. Again, as I always say, this is where you can relax knowing that you will be proving the pattern in a fitting. It would be insane to think you could work it out all on paper and it be spot-on with no fitting. That's not the universe I live in, so I do my best, measure and move on to the next step. Remember to keep your seam allowances generous in this phase and to make sure you put your muslin together with a basting stitch so you can easily move it in the fitting. You can theorize until you are blue in the face. </div>
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<b>There is just no substitute for fitting time</b>. </div>
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You may find that you end up liking your new garment better than the original because you are working with a fluid canvas at this point. Don't get overly stressed here about something that you can easily fix in a fitting. And remember too, start with a simple project that doesn't have darts or pleats if you get stuck on this. Once the whole process gets more second nature, this all becomes really intuitive. Really.</div>
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I'm doing lots of this these days getting ready for my <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/" target="_blank">Craftsy</a> class. I'm doing the process stuff now, and shoot in a couple of weeks. It will be up on their site in Mid January. I'll let you know when it's up. Darts and pleats and gathers, OH MY!</div>
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steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-61468022663606672052012-10-25T17:44:00.000-07:002012-10-25T17:44:17.701-07:00Ankaase Bags<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My friend from college is an adoption advocate and now works with a group who support school kids in a village called Ankaase in Ghana. Her name is <a href="http://onegoodstory.me/" target="_blank">Lisa Tresch</a>, and she and her daughter went to Ghana last year to meet a boy there that her church group had been sponsoring. When she went those kids permeated into her bones it seems and she's been a full time volunteer for the sponsoring organization ever since. </div>
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She knew I made patterns, so when she got the idea to develop a product that the local group of Ankaase seamstresses could make to help support their business and to raise funds for the school and sponsorships for the kids, she asked if I could help. She wanted something that they could make that would be marketable here. We came up with a pattern with lots of pockets that can be made out of about 1 yard of their beautiful fabric. </div>
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I made up a sample & the instructions and sent them to her in Tulsa. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zJbcAOtso0s/UInLhvVbfWI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/kuKelFFNFDY/s1600/IMG_4643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zJbcAOtso0s/UInLhvVbfWI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/kuKelFFNFDY/s320/IMG_4643.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Lisa went back to Ghana this week and she's been blogging about the trip all week. Check out what they are doing <a href="http://onegoodstory.me/" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6J5QpNbJ16I/UInK6wORFmI/AAAAAAAAAW0/jxmxQoxNEbM/s1600/ankaase2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6J5QpNbJ16I/UInK6wORFmI/AAAAAAAAAW0/jxmxQoxNEbM/s320/ankaase2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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She bought fabric there. Enough for a big bunch of bags. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wtyQZS93mmw/UInLDwQCjGI/AAAAAAAAAW8/l3yol-xr720/s1600/ankaase3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wtyQZS93mmw/UInLDwQCjGI/AAAAAAAAAW8/l3yol-xr720/s320/ankaase3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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And delivered it all to the ladies who are now making the them. </div>
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I can't wait to see more photos of the trip and how the they all turn out. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vmNr_f21rIY/UInLJ6wMvdI/AAAAAAAAAXE/9rJb9Jyd3JA/s1600/Ankaasebag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vmNr_f21rIY/UInLJ6wMvdI/AAAAAAAAAXE/9rJb9Jyd3JA/s320/Ankaasebag1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's so crazy to see a pattern that left my hands a couple of weeks ago already translated into something so tangible. What a motivator to DO something. I have a tendency to explore ideas to death. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this project. I'll post more when I have information on where to purchase these bags. </div>
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I find this sort of work so deeply satisfying. Thanks Lisa!</div>
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How do you give the gift of sewing back? I love to hear stories of how women help others and themselves with sewing. I'm starting to collect these stories and organizations into a new blog. A starting point for someone who might want to help but doesn't know where to start. What are your favorite sewing related organizations that give back to the world? <a href="http://www.thesewingmachineproject.org/" target="_blank">The Sewing Machine Project</a>? <a href="http://www.projectlinus.org/" target="_blank">Project Linus?</a> <a href="http://www.qovf.org/" target="_blank">Quilts of Valor</a>? Let me know, send me your story of something you made that helped you as much as it helped someone else. I can't wait to hear from you!</div>
steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-86030305492828937242012-06-23T21:34:00.000-07:002012-06-23T21:34:00.555-07:00Seahope Partners<div style="text-align: center;">
I have a deep affinity for the South, I grew up in Oklahoma then went to grad school at Tulane in New Orleans & started my career at the Alley Theatre in Houston. Watching the coverage of Katrina a few years ago ripped my heart in two. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bqwowzAOVyQ/T9bE2phq24I/AAAAAAAAAU0/DcUrw1mouQA/s1600/seahope.bag-in-use-190x254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bqwowzAOVyQ/T9bE2phq24I/AAAAAAAAAU0/DcUrw1mouQA/s1600/seahope.bag-in-use-190x254.jpg" /></a></div>
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That's why when my friend Margaret Jankowski asked if I wanted to go down to Houma, Louisiana after the BP oil spill I jumped at the chance to go down and help her start a project called <a href="http://seahopepartners.org/about/">Seahope Partners</a>. That week we worked out the pattern and construction of these great messenger bags made from used sails. Those bags are now being sold through the <a href="http://seahopepartners.org/" target="_blank">Seahope website</a> and they help to fund community support in the gulf region. Check it out, they make great carry-all and would be a really meaningful gift.steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-42489496670721045892012-06-21T21:10:00.000-07:002012-06-21T21:10:00.495-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXlN7V8kT-g/TqgeOEgRF6I/AAAAAAAAARE/13j0e4XwIew/s1600/photo-732359.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667813358121850786" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXlN7V8kT-g/TqgeOEgRF6I/AAAAAAAAARE/13j0e4XwIew/s320/photo-732359.JPG" /></a></div>
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They say that sewing skips a generation. </div>
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Maybe not in this case, but I can tell you that most of the people who come to me for lessons say they didn't learn from their mother, but from a grandmother, aunt or teacher. </div>
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Mothers and daughters don't communicate in a way that makes teaching sewing smooth and stress free. </div>
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I make the machine available, and show how to thread it. But other than that I'm pretty hand's off. I've heard too many stories of someone's interest in sewing getting smothered in all the rules. </div>
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Even still, we barely survived Halloween last year.</div>
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It was so stressful, I'm only just now writing about it, but it all turned out in the end. </div>
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We made a witch costume, and I spent most of my time obsessing about making a tiny little steampunk version of a witches hat. </div>
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Sometimes this costume bug is a curse. </div>
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But I'm telling you that was one cute hat.</div>steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-3636926810059470272012-06-11T20:44:00.002-07:002015-01-23T19:05:57.397-08:00The Apron Lady<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JiUwGVqIvBw/TbDCHzUHhmI/AAAAAAAAAK0/rMR0l-BAa54/s1600/Sefani_ea-book_thumb5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JiUwGVqIvBw/TbDCHzUHhmI/AAAAAAAAAK0/rMR0l-BAa54/s320/Sefani_ea-book_thumb5.jpg" height="619" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598187776110986850" style="display: block; height: 247px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 255px;" width="640" /></a><br />
I wanted to tell you about this fantastic woman I met when I went to Denver to tape the <a href="http://www.sewitalltv.com/episodes/series_100/episode_107.html" target="_blank">Sew It All </a>episode "Knockout Knock-offs." <br />
Her name is <a href="http://www.apronmemories.com/" target="_blank">EllynAnne Geisel</a> and she is the author of several really great books on Aprons, so much so that her knickname is the "the Apron Lady." I was struck by her delightful way of describing her aprons and the connections that they give us to the past. So much like the stories I tell in my book about my connection with my Great Grandmother through the patterns I found.<br />
We had a little weather glitch that day that allowed us to spend a little more time together than we might have otherwise and I got to know her a little on that day and we were instant friends. I got to watch her episode and she is so clever an funny I couldn't help but want to follow her around like a little puppy dog.<br />
I love that she describes herself as a curator, because she has a traveling collection of aprons that has been all over in a lovely exhibit Apron Chronicles. She has three books:<a href="http://www.apronmemories.com/books/#apronbook" target="_blank"> <em>The Apron Book, Apronisms, and The Kitchen Linens Book</em>.</a><br />
As EllenAnne likes to say: "Tie one on!" an apron of course.<br />
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<br />steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905821893870196545.post-71897778380822022402012-04-06T06:24:00.002-07:002012-04-06T06:27:54.562-07:00American Sewing Guild Annual ConferenceRegistration for the <a href="http://www.asg.org/html/conference.html" target="_blank">American Sewing Guild Annual Conference</a> is open today. This year the conference is in Houston, August 16-20th and why am I so interested? Because I'm teaching there!!!<br />
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I'll be doing an all day hands-on class on "Copycat Couture" (the original title of my book, but that's another story) and then two demos the other two days. I'm also planning a booth and reconnecting with some friends from Houston. So if you're interested in a day-long workshop on the nitty gritty of garment copying, and about a <a href="http://www.asg.org/files/conference/brochure/index.html" target="_blank">gazillion other great classes</a> this would be a great weekend for you!</div>
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Space is limited, so <a href="http://www.asg.org/files/conference/ASG12_Conference_Brochure.pdf" target="_blank">check it out</a> and I hope to see you there in August. </div>
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<br /></div>steffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730531169921265621noreply@blogger.com0