Archive for May 2013

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Pyjamas, beginner skills

May 25, 2013

Pyjama pants are often suggested as a beginner sewing project.
And continuing with the theme of comfortable and classy loungewear – what about high quality designer versions?

Of course there are couture pj pants available from luxury lingerie companies – enjoy being stroked by silk charmeuse and lace.
A skilled hobby sewer could make those. But definitely not fabrics for easy sewing.
How about simpler than that !

Here are some comments on pyjama patterns and sew-alongs for beginners.
And on using the same skills to make simple elastic waist pants.
(I haven’t included patterns for knits, or with very slim legs.)
And on the further skills needed to add a simple top.

– – –

Pyjama pants, beginner skills

Hmm, for pj pants the easiest possible garment sewing skills needed include :

take body measurements
choose size of pattern
identify fabric and notions requirements
prepare fabric
understand pattern symbols
lay out and cut pattern
sew straight and curved lines
sew leg seams
arrange legs together so can sew crotch seam
finish seams
press seams
press to shape casings and hems
pin/ tape/ baste seams, casing and hems to hold in place while sewing
sew casing (cut-on casing is easiest, then a separate casing)
thread elastic through casing
join ends of elastic
close casing
or make eyelets, make and thread drawstring
machine sew hems

No wonder some people find it daunting to learn to sew, and need to work up to all that slowly. In 4-H sewing classes, pj pants are what children make only after a year of sewing small projects which gradually introduce all these skills. I think it’s a bit pressurised to expect all adults to be comfortable with jumping into such a project as their first item.

But anyway that’s a separate topic I dealt with in my post on learning help for complete beginners.
Which includes some places you can look to for help with learning all those skills.

And once you can do all these things, a huge range of other sewing projects open up and become possible 😀

– – –

PJ pant sew-alongs

These are sew-alongs with specific instructions which give more information than in the pattern.
(There are also several ‘chat and encouragement’ style pj sew-alongs, but I haven’t included them.)

These sew-alongs use specific patterns, but the pj pant style is so general any similar pattern would do.
(Making the tops requires another range of sewing skills, comments later.)

Free written sew-along with photos

from Did you make that.
She used Simplicity 2721, now oop and replaced by Simplicity 2116.

”s2116”

She also links to instructions for drafting your own pattern, but I find the instructions incomprehensible. Instructions in Sew What ! Fleece are much better.

A bit difficult to find Did You Sew That’s sequence of sew-along posts, so here are links.
Intro and pattern
Fabrics
Cutting out
Sewing inside leg seam
Sewing legs together
Elastic waistband
Hemming
Final versions

There’s another pyjama pants tutorial using slightly more skills (side seams, buttonholes), from Stitch and Boots.
It uses Simplicity 5314, a pattern for larger sizes.

–

On-line video demo

Free detailed sew-along.

Free short video on elastic-waist pants from Simplicity patterns.
see right side menu with this for many more video tutorials.

Craftsy video class on making pyjama pants, pattern included (not free).

from the Sewing Guru (not free).
He uses Simplicity 3971, and adds fly opening for men.

”s3971”

–

DVD

Pajama Party from Hip-Line Media,
uses Butterick 6837
Similar style to above, pattern includes robe.

This DVD has good sewing demos, though they don’t mention they serge the seam finishes. And the intro on what you need to know before you start sewing is poor, just talking heads.

– – –

Designer pj patterns

I don’t know of any designer patterns for pyjama pants, unless you count Cindy Taylor Oates’ booklets for fun styles. Start with ones without the added cuff.

Cindy Taylor Oates Sew Easy Pajama pants

”ctoseweasypj”

Pajama Party
Multi-fabric styles, includes camp shirt pj top.

P.S. Toni-Maree has pointed out the new Sewaholic loungewear pants pattern.
Here are Tasia’s comments on her pattern.
And on not using contrast fabric.
She isn’t doing her own sew-along, and refers to the Did You Make That one, which I mentioned before. Karen of DidYouMakeThat has added special instructions for :
Preparation, including grading this pattern if you’re not pear shaped.
Making the belt.
Piping and side seams
Inside leg seams
Sewing the crotch seam
False fly and buttonholes
Attaching the waistband
Waistband, hems, and done
Many extra processes, so a pattern for advanced beginners.

–

Speedy elastic waist pant patterns

Once you’ve made a pair of pj pants, what more can you do that makes good use of the same skills ?
Celebrate what you can do before moving on 😀

Of course, make some elastic waist pants – just needs a slight change of fabric, and perhaps less looseness (ease) to the pattern.

I have the sort of body shape (indented waist and prominent high hips) which doesn’t look good in elastic waist pants. But there’s often no need to reveal the waist area, especially in winter. Simply keep your waist covered with your top or layer, and no one will know your pants add lumpy bulk around the waist 😀

There are many many plain elastic waist pants in suit/ co-ordinate/ sportswear patterns from the major pattern companies, with tops requiring various levels of skill. I’ve just picked speed patterns.
These patterns all claim to be sewable in 1 hour – means they’re simple, but don’t expect a beginner to sew that fast !
Butterick 5153 – one-seam pants, for women, men, children, various lengths.
McCall’s 6568 – 3 lengths, 2 leg widths.
McCall’s 5889 – oop slouch pants with wide hips, tapered legs.

If you’re looking for a slimmer-leg pattern try McCall’s 6843 (not 1-hour).

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Designer simple elastic waist pants

There may not be many designer pj pant patterns, but there are several for elastic waist pants. Here are a couple of examples.

Sewing Workshop Ikina pant

”sw-ikina”

Sewing Workshop Valencia pant

”sw-valencia”

(Jackets not for beginners.)
Her other pant patterns have more style elements. I agree with her that if you’re wearing one of those over-sized jackets, adding eye-attracting detail to the pants would both look a bit over the top and drag the eye down to look fattening.

– – –

Add a simple top

Move on to consider yourself an ‘advanced beginner’ 😀

This pattern has more of a beginner top : Sewing Workshop Hudson pant.
For the simplest pant sewing, leave out the ankle shaping darts.

”hudson”

Adding a simple top may involve another set of skills :

add pattern markings to fabric
facing
– interfacing
– stay-stitching
– clip, notch, grade curved seams
– under-stitching
– top-stitching.
make bias binding
– cut bias strips
– join bias strips
– press binding folds into shape.
bias bind an edge
– facing
– over edge
sew together different shape curves
add simple sleeve

Making a camp-shirt style pyjama top adds further skills:

collar
buttons and buttonholes
patch pockets.

The Sewing Guru and Hip-Line Media pyjama video sew-alongs mentioned before show you how.

Making a simple top from knit instead of woven fabric involves yet another skill set, such as :

sew stretch seams using the zig-zag stitch.
sew stretch hems using a double needle.
attach rib bands to other knits.
use a serger/ overlocker.

Some sources of guidance for learning these skills in my post on help for advanced beginners.
And here’s my post listing sewalongs for knit tops.

For simple patterns for tops and layers, which claim to have easy beginner instructions, look at :
Kwik Sew Kwik Start
Shapes
Simplicity It’s so easy

There are patterns for knit top/ camp shirt/ elastic waist skirt and pants, plus many simple variations, in Easy Sewing the Kwik Sew Way by Kerstin Martensson.

Some ‘beginner’ sewing classes start with a fitted-waist skirt with darts, zip, waistband. For a timid learner like me, those are a long way along the sequence of skills development !

Here’s a pdf of the beginner skills I’ve mentioned :
beginnerskills.pdf

Learn at the speed which is right for you to develop confidence at every step.
You’re getting to ‘intermediate’ level when you can sew many types of seam, seam finish, collar, sleeve, pocket, buttonhole, zip, placket, lining, embellishment. . .
It’s amazing what we can learn to do 😀

– – –

Do you enjoy making and wearing elastic waist pants ?
Pyjama sewing – doesn’t matter if you make mistakes 😀

How about upping your skills a little further by making slightly more interesting designer elastic-waist pants with added style details ? (pockets, vertical decorative seams, shaped legs) Another post to come ! (now here)

– – –

Patterns and links available May 2013

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Categories: learning to sew
Tags:

Comments: 6 Comments

Favourite books – style and wardrobe

May 18, 2013

A commenter asked me to bring together the books I’ve mentioned here and there.

I didn’t go through my posts to develop this list – wrote down the ones that I remembered and are easy to access on my shelves – the best test !

There are many other excellent books available. I just mention ones I’ve seen myself, and which stay in my mind and get referred to again rather than forgotten.
I have of course also seen many books which range from uninspiring through inadequate to terrible – but I’m not going to use space explaining why I don’t like them. And once I’ve found a book that satisfies my needs in that area, I tend to stop looking at more. So, sorry, you won’t be able to tell, if I don’t mention something, whether I think it’s bad, or I like something else better, or I simply haven’t seen it.

Even though this is only a small selection of what’s available, I’m a book person so this spread to great length.
This is about books on personal style and wardrobing.
Then couple of posts for books on pattern making and fit.
Final post with books about sewing.

Books I not only enjoyed reading a first time, but also look at again.
And of course I haven’t been able to resist making lengthy comments.

– – –

Personal Style

There are many books on up-grading your style. They often have vertiginous heels on the cover and advise wearing black, so I keep well clear. I became less interested in style books once I got clearer about my own style – and was able to tell that most books aren’t relevant to me. . . So if you love your LBD and stiletto heels there are many style books you will enjoy, but I’m not the person to give advice 😀

Style books always say they want to help you look your best. But they don’t all mean flattering your personal special features. They often mean trying to make you look more like a model. Or they assume you want to look rich and powerful. Those I try to avoid – I get upset about both their values and their advice.

In fact people disagree passionately about style books – perhaps because of their personal style, or because of how much they already know about what suits them and how to build good outfits. Always worth reading the low-star reviews at Amazon.

Most of the books I like have very out-of date illustrations, but the general advice is still excellent. Most important – they cover a wide range of personal colourings, body shapes, and style preferences, not just fashion mag big city chic.

Nancy Nix-Rice Looking Good
A good short introduction on the best clothes for you.

Mathis & Connor The Triumph of Individual Style
Beautiful, fascinating, detailed. Artists love every body shape.

Judith Rasband Wardrobe Strategies for women
College textbook with assignments. Ignore the awful cover photo. Every page is bursting with good ideas. (Her company Conselle sells modernised versions of the chapters – very expensive.)

out-of-print
David Kibbe Metamorphosis
Rich with interesting comments on personal style. Though his specific suggestions show he’s not so good at helping people who like to dress quietly!

Jan Larkey Flatter your Figure
Another older book with dated examples but marvellous advice about the best styles to wear given your body shape features. Unlike much such advice, she manages to avoid the problem that some suggestions are right for one of your body features but wrong for another.

Mary Spillane Color Me Beautiful’s Looking Your Best
The European off-shoot of Color Me Beautiful, with more colour types and personal styles. (I like this book, but strongly disagree with recent books by UK CMB.)

– – –

Fashion Design

For some sewers, the ultimate expression of personal style is to design our own clothes.
If you’d like explore the design process, here are some possible starters.

Grandon et al 200 projects to get you into fashion design
A sequence of guided exercises. You may need other books for guidance on the techniques used, but working through this is like doing a fashion design foundation course.

Stephanie Corfee Fashion Design Workshop
Introductory fashion drawing advice.

– – –

Wardrobe planning

Re-thinking your style, and need to know you have a basic wardrobe so you always have ‘something to wear’ ?

Juudith Rasband Wardrobe strategies for women
I mentioned this before, on personal style.

out-of-print :

Janet Wallach Working Wardrobe
The original wardrobe planning book and still interesting. She does assume you wear a skirt to work, but it’s easy to swap pants for skirts.

Kate Mathews Sewing a Travel Wardrobe
Minimal sewing instructions, but many ideas for travel capsules. Nothing on personal colouring or style. (Here’s my post on the plans in this book.)

– – –

Fashion entertainment

Robert Pante Dressing to Win (oop)
Just one personal style – assumes you want to dress for the top. Prestige wardrobing, I enjoy this for a good laugh.

His One-Star Wardrobe (6-garment capsule plus accessories) cost about US$1900 when the book was published nearly 30 years ago (1984).
The UK Retail Price Index has gone up more than 2.5 times since then.
That means investing about $5000/ £3300 on a basic RTW designer starter capsule at today’s (2013) prices.
Looking at Net-a-Porter for current designer RTW prices, that is actually in the low price range for top designers.

From that Pante works up to a Five-Star Plan which includes furs, big diamonds, and red-carpet dresses (he doesn’t cost out that one 😀 ).

In contrast, Imogen Lamport manages to come up with a RTW starter wardrobe of 12 items for aus$196, not including accessories. Yes impressive if you’re starting from a modest point. But people in the know will recognise the low quality fabrics and make. So work up from there if you want to impress 😀

Making your own clothes could work out at a fraction of the designer RTW price (see my post comparing hobby sewing and designer RTW clothes prices). But do choose quality fabrics and accessories if you want to look like you buy from designers.
Say $700+ for materials for clothes (pant suit, blazer, 2 blouses, dress), and $1300 for accessories (2 pairs shoes, bag, belt, preferably leather).
Gets it down to about $2000 for your starter capsule.

For more amazed laughs about the real-life fashion business, I enjoy :

Bringing home the Birkin by Michael Tonello – on the world supported by luxury fashionistas.

Fashion Babylon by Imogen Edwards-Jones – fictional life of a designer.

The September Issue movie about the editor of US Vogue – on the making of a fashion magazine. (Do you want to be told what to wear by these people ?)

– – –

Happy hobby sewers – we can admire and enjoy inspired design and technique, the creativity of clothes making, without getting enmeshed in all the ‘keeping up’ and staying ‘in’ side of ‘being fashionable’.

I hope you know your own best styles, colours, shapes, and your sewing gives you what you love 😀

– – –

Originally written May 2013, links checked August 2019

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Categories: personal style, wardrobe planning

Comments: 6 Comments

Basic comfort styles

May 11, 2013

My previous post on Loungewear started on the topic of looking good while being lazy. There are two easy routes to go for slumping – exercise wear or sleep wear.

There used to be a designer loungewear section at Net-a-Porter which simply had sweatshirts and jogging pants in pretty colours. I’ve already posted on sweatshirt patterns. Silhouette 3400 is a quick yoga pants pattern with associated webcast.

Looking instead at sleepwear rather than exercise wear for guidance on comfort :
Most pyjama patterns are actually camp shirt/ sweat shirt/ tee with elastic waist pants, made in soft cosy fabrics.
And with bigger ease levels (more on that later).
Hence the vagueness of the dividing line between sleepwear and loungewear.

– – –

Classic pyjama styles

There are many pyjama patterns which could make good general casuals (or casual top and bottom patterns that would make good pjs. . .)

Simplicity 2317 is one of many pj patterns with camp shirt, tank, tee and pants.

”s2317”

I look better in a collar which closes up to the neck.
And a style which can close up to the neck has the potential to look more formal, if you want a pattern which can be used for both sleepwear and daywear.
I’ve only found one pj pattern like this, Simplicity 2280.

In hospital last summer I had a good opportunity to survey pj styles. Most people wore a tee with shorts or capris. And most of those could equally well be worn pool-side or at the beach.

Or a sweatshirt and elastic waist pants. Such as Simplicity 3577.

”s3577”

– – –

Added style interest

I prefer clothes with inherent style interest, rather than adding interest with accessories.

There are several non-traditional sleep/ loungewear patterns which could be casual ‘Key 3’ outfits.

Here’s McCall’s 6658 loungewear wardrobe pattern. Pullover layer, pants and shorts, knit top with 3 necklines, 3 sleeves.

”m6658”

Shorten the robe of McCall’s 6659 and you have basic shirt with darts, pants, and cardigan jacket.

”6659”

New Look 6161 is a similar Project Runway pattern for jacket, more interesting sleeveless top, and pants.

”nl6161”

Butterick 4406 has a mandarin jacket and tunic top.

”b4406”

And there’s a pretty yoked hoodie, McCall’s 6472.

”m6472”

Scrubs, like sleepwear, are designed for maximum ease of movement. There are some scrubs patterns which are worth considering for casual top and pants, such as Kwik Sew 3979.

”ks3979-3”

– – –

Onesie

Jumpsuits are fashionable this season, so how about an adult onesie, such as Kwik Sew 2175.

”ks2175-2”

I picked a style with waist casing, so it’s like a bomber jacket and slouch pants combined 😀 There are several patterns without waist casing, such as McCall’s 7586, if that’s more comfortable for you.

There are several companies here which sell RTW adult onesies, mainly in jokey style 😀
Very cosy to wear, but sadly cold for going to the bathroom.

– – –

Fabrics

So pyjamas are basically camp shirts or tees with elastic waist pants.
The difference between more formal day wear and lounge or sleep wear lies in the comfortable looseness of the fit and the soft non-abrasive fabrics, rather than the style elements.

Make the same patterns in fun soft princess/ jokey/ wild/ sports fan fabrics for lounging, and plainer stiffer fabrics for work.
Pink flannel covered in frosted fairies – for slumping and sleeping.
Taupe silk noil – for being taken seriously.
It’s the style of the prints that identify sleepwear and beach holiday camp shirts so clearly, not the style of the garments.

Don’t go to the supermarket in purple frogs.
Well actually, why not, if that’s what you like, so long as they’re quality fabrics in good condition 😀

My favourite comfort fabrics are brushed cotton, flannels, cords, cuddle fleece. They do have to be good quality or they can look scruffy quite quickly. Neutral solid colours aren’t much fun, but they don’t attract attention in public ! I don’t like wearing stretch fabrics, but they can be ideal for comfort. And I don’t wear knit fabrics as they cling lovingly to my too small lumps above the waist and too large lumps below. But many people love knits for their ease of movement.

How about loungewear in this season (summer 2013) fabrics :
Monochrome/ graphic : top with white body, black collar and sleeves, pants in black with white polka dots. Or strong stripes. Or checkerboard.
Minimalism : beige, or pale greyed pastels.
Metallic.
Sports Luxe : performance fabrics, primary colours.
World Travel : mixed prints, especially ethnic (South American this season).
Lace, cut-outs.
Make your pjs in these and wear them to the supermarket with pride 😀

Last summer, pj styles in satin or men’s stripey flannel were a high fashion item. . .

– – –

Ease levels

The other crucial factor for comfort – being able to move easily in the clothes, without any binding. If you use non-stretch fabrics you need :
– a neckline that isn’t tight to the neck.
– a deep armhole, or raglan or dropped shoulder.
– a deep wide crotch curve (fashion jeans have no ease to the crotch seam, not a route to comfort).
– generous extra fabric around bust and hips.
Very loose fitting – more than 10 in./ 25 cm larger than body measurement for lounging.
Compare with close fitting – 2 in./ 5 cm ease for formal daywear.

The ease level you find comfortable is also a matter of personal style. And many of us who are difficult to fit wear very loose fitting clothes to be comfortable, though we can wear more closely fitted styles if they fit properly.

– – –

This approach to loungewear wouldn’t work for everyone of course. Depends on your personal style. Some people feel very uncomfortable/ unlike themselves in casual/ loose fitting clothes rather than tailored clothes, or pants rather than skirts and dresses, or soft rather than crisp fabrics. And if you like frilly/ lacey/ bias cut nightdresses, you probably don’t wear them in public !

YouLookFab has mixed feelings about ultra-casual high comfort trends. She doesn’t want to lose polish, luxury, style, flair. I don’t think that’s unavoidable, it just needs care. If you’re being casual about shape, you can’t be casual about quality – in fabric, finish, fit, cut. (Though this may just be my personal style. I have to be physically comfortable. But for me to be comfortable in spirit, I also have to be ‘stylish’.)

Does the idea of ignoring the dividing line between night and day styles horrify you – or would you find it worth exploring 😀

– – –

Patterns and links available May 2013

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Categories: my choices, personal style

Comments: 6 Comments

Intermediate skills and beyond

May 4, 2013

I wrote a specific post reviewing the ‘Dressmaking’ book by Alison Smith, its pros and cons for learning to sew at intermediate level.
I like project based learning and detailed guidance, so that book suits me well.

This post suggests some other routes to learning at intermediate level, with notes on learning beyond that. The possibilities are near infinite, if you enjoy learning and using high levels of skill.

At this level, many of us get more interested in fit, or making our own patterns. This post is just about sewing skills. See Index page 2 for posts on fit, and Index page 3 for posts on pattern making.

– – –

Additional intermediate sewing skills

The ‘Dressmaking’ book just has patterns and techniques for classic styles and standard woven fabrics.
Here’s my pdf listing the skills covered in the projects :
31 projects.A4.pdf
31 projects.USletter.pdf
Might be of interest as a general guide to developing skills at intermediate level.

Here are some possibilities for learning about other skills and fabrics.

For an easy guide to patterns and sewing techniques for knits and fleeces, see Meg McElwee’s Craftsy video class.

Look at Sandra Betzina’s book More Fabric Savvy for guidance on sewing many fabric types.

More on interfacings, and other classic garment techniques, in DVDs from Palmer-Pletsch on band collar shirt, notch-collar jacket, jeans.

There are brief comments on learning to use a serger in my post on sources of advice for advanced beginners.

I think many ‘Very Easy’ patterns from Butterick-Vogue are at this level. Plus ‘Easy’ patterns from the Big 4, and ‘two dot’ patterns from European companies.

– – –

Making your own way in learning at intermediate level

Most people develop their skills at this level simply by making clothes. Which is why people get upset when pattern instructions are poor.
Pattern Reviews are well worth looking at, as they have a section on the quality of the instructions.

To support this learning, we need a good general sewing reference book.
Many people like the Readers Digest Guide. Full of illustrations – drawings.

My favourite technique book is Cole & Czachor Professional Sewing Techniques.
Aimed at the quality in high-end RTW boutiques. Many more techniques than in the ‘Dressmaking‘ book by Alison Smith. Not for everyone, and not for beginners, as it has detailed written instructions with few illustrations.

I also refer to one of the old Vogue Sewing Books. First issued in 1970, I have the Vogue Sewing Book 1982 edition. I can remember the awe with which I bought it when I got a better job, as it seemed hugely expensive at the time it came out !

It can be worth finding the old Singer Sewing Reference Library series, books full of photos.

There are notes in my post on learning help for advanced beginners about video series which go from introductory to more advanced.

If you like the style, Cutting Line patterns by Louise Cutting are noted for their quality instructions. She also has DVDs with Threads magazine (download or view on-line versions from the Threads magazine site).
And Sewing Workshop patterns by Linda Lee have a Sew Confident course of written tutorials. She also has video classes at Craftsy on sewing knits and silks.

Many other interesting video classes at Craftsy.
And pdf classes with support videos at Pattern Review.

Threads magazine has their technique content on-line at their magazine site.

– – –

More advanced skills

Many of those books and links help you develop skills well beyond intermediate level.

I don’t aspire to make beautifully tailored jackets or couture, though I greatly admire and enjoy looking at the work of people who do. I prefer learning more about pattern altering to make my own styles. I used to think I ‘ought’ to learn tailoring, but now realise it isn’t my style for sewing or wearing.

You can be very well clothed without going beyond intermediate skills. You’ll need to move on to more advanced sewing skills if you like something structured – tailored classics or edgy jackets. Bound buttonholes, welt pockets, sleeve headers.

For tailoring guidance, see my post on sources of blazer sewing advice.
There are many links to jacket tutorials in the menu at blog Easy Jackets

I am interested in other more advanced skills.
Complex draping.
Slippery, lacey, heavily napped or sequinned, loosely woven, ‘performance’ protective fabrics.
Appliqué, quilting, machine embroidery, heirloom and other surface embellishments. I learned most of what I know from Quilt University, but sadly that is closing down at the end of this year. There are dozens of craft sites and embellishment books. Here’s a post with some links on piecing and embellishment.

Butterick-Vogue ‘Average’ patterns are at this level. And ‘three dot’ patterns from European companies.

– – –

Couture

Once you move into learning couture skills the sky’s the limit. Hand-worked support for tailoring and special occasion wear. Rich hand-made embellishment. Exotic fabrics. Multiple pattern pieces.

Look at the couture collections at Style.com for eye-popping awe.
Some companies, like Chanel Savoir Faire, have videos on the techniques used by artisans with a life-time of experience. The most recent is a dazzling one on hand sewn embellishment. Notice how slowly every move is made – the intention here is supreme quality, not maximum speed and minimum cost.

Many sources of advice. Some easy to find starting points are :
Susan Khalje’s Craftsy video course on a dress.
She’s developing video classes on other garments on her own site.
Claire Shaeffer’s Vogue patterns for jackets and pants, which include 2 levels of technique – high end RTW and couture.
Marcy Tilton’s embellishment DVDs (scroll down left side).
A Challenging Sew has.written sewalongs on couture garments.

Search ‘couture’ and ‘tailoring’ at Amazon for books on how to achieve these effects.

This is the level for people who love the challenge of Vogue ‘Advanced’ patterns or Burda ‘four dots’. And the articles on technique in Threads magazine.

– – –

Most sewing skills are ‘craft’ skills, best learned by demonstration and guidance from an expert. Now sewing is rarely taught in school, it’s good to see the development of on-line and DVD video resources.
There are many links to on-line sources of advice and DVDs in the right hand menu here. (Click on red header if the menu isn’t showing.)
I like to learn from videos supported by books. Some people are good at remembering demos. Unless the video segments are short, I need a good reference book to help with remembering the details.

I’m happy with sewing at intermediate level.
I do prefer sewing slowly and I like quality, but these attitudes can be applied at every level of difficulty.

The higher levels of attainment are not for me to work towards for myself. But I do enjoy looking at and being awed by the marvellous achievements of people with these high levels of skill.

No one develops all these skills overnight. But they can be very rewarding to learn and use, if that’s what you’re interested in.
Have an exciting time if you enjoy learning 😀

– – –

Links available April 2013

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Categories: learning to sew

Comments: 4 Comments