Lucky finds

A surprisingly still wearable set of patterns

Wow. I'd never seen anything like this before.
It is the Lutterloh golden rule
system (just not called that)

A new style for me

Completed

ShapeShape arrived

Well, I ordered it and it arrived much earlier than the expected date. Thank you Amazon.

What I didn't realise - the height the patterns are drafted for is only 160cm, so there will probably need to be some lengthening of every style.

Going to have to commit to some tracing time.

Nightie Night

A quickly overlocked nightie (and even flatlocked hems) to replace the one gone missing. No buttons this time just three squares of soft velcro.

Pattern: an old by the fortnight series called 'Make It Easy' pattern 9 Marshall Cavendish 1984

Singlet/tank top with placket and flatlocking

Button  placket pinned on, ready to sew

Button placket folded and pinned



Armhole and neckline edges 3 thread overlocked

Flatlocked hem - rightside (top), wrongside (bottom)

Decorative buttons with soft velcro underneath to fasten

The completed top

Flatlocking

My overlocker/serger and I are good friends (as long as I play by its rules).  Over the last couple of evenings I've been teaching it and me a new trick - flatlocking. This is not a new technique to the world of sewing and garment manufacture. I'd read about it in issues of Threads magazine, in sewing books and serger books but hadn't really understood it.

My inspiration to actually sit down and work it out was a book by Palmer/Pletsch. However information on line such as this 2 page pdf are also very helpful http://www.ca.uky.edu/hes/fcs/FACTSHTS/CT-MMB-198.pdf

Wrong side view showing how fabric remnants were flatlocked together

Flatlocking "ladders" on right side of fabric.

Martha Pullen

A very luck day. Bought Martha Pullen's "French Hand Sewing by Machine, the second book".
A heirloom sewing book by someone not afraid to use modern machines and techniques. Lots of lace and ribbon. Stunning creations for children, tweens and adult women who want or need some lace and ruffles in their lives.

Madame Alexander Dolls

Well, just when I thought there was nothing new on the horizon... today I learnt about Madame Alexander 14" Girl dolls and the passionate following they have.

In my search for patterns I found the book "Madame Alexander 14" Girl Victorian Doll Patterns" by Martha Campbell Pullen.

I had never heard of Madame Alexander dolls but a quick internet search revealed my ignorance. These dolls have a long history and devoted followers.

This book is a delight - frilly, lacey, be-ribboned dresses for dolls. All instructions and patterns included. Also very importantly the author is a friend and supporter of machine sewing and serging/overlocking.

Word Cloud

What a fun and useful site http://www.tagxedo.com/, read about it on Zakka blog

Test wear of first project from Simple Modern Sewing

Ok, I wore the top today, all day. Here is what I noted:

• the sleeves sure stick out - whether because of me, the fabric or the pattern I don't know but I don't really like it
• the length covers the crotch and backside - no vlp to see - yipee
• stayed fastened all day
• very comfortable
• front view - good
• side view - makes me look fat and maybe pregnant (must change this urgently)
• has lots of design ease to allow for layering - perhaps if you know you are not a layering gal you can go down a size or expect to make adjustments eg. darts or extra pleat on back peplum and bodice