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Couture Wool Lace Dress Part One
Burda Style #101B, October 2014I haven't sewn a couture dress for months, so it is time to make one. I love the design lines of the above dress, so that will serve as the preliminary pattern. This...
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Simplicity 1277 Garment Construction, Part Two of Three
My students at College of DuPage are sewing dress Simplicity 1277. This is the fourth post relating to construction of the dress. See "Labels" section on right column of Home page for links to the...
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Simplicity 1277 Garment Construction, Part Three of Three
Step 9 Neck (cont'd) and Armhole EdgesPress clipped seam allowances to facingUnder stitch seam allowances to facing sideWhen under stitching, be sure clipped seam allowances stay under facing rather...
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Watch the Neck Size on Your Patterns
My clothing construction class is starting a button-down collared shirt project. I am emphasizing to students the importance of a collar and neckband that fit well and therefore frame the face...
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Steps 1 & 2: McCall's 6898
My clothing construction class at College of DuPage is sewing a traditional button-down shirt with collar, long sleeves, and cuffs. Posts discussing the 20 construction steps will appear on this blog...
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Steps 3 & 4: McCall's 6898
Step 3 Shoulder SeamsStitch shoulders in a French seam. Be careful to match the front princess seams to the back princess seams. Pin wrong sides together.Below is a closeup of the two princess seams...
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Steps 5 & 6 - McCall's 6898
Step 5 WaistbandPin interfaced waistband to blouse, right sides together.Pin right side of waistband facing to inside of blouse. There is now a waistband on the outside of the garment as well as the...
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Steps 7 & 8 - McCall's 6898
Step 7 HemPress up 5/8" along bottom of garment. My garment hem is straight. If your hem is curved, begin the pressing at the side seams where the curve needs extra pressing attention.By the way,...
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Steps 9, 10, & 11 - McCall's 6898
This is step 9 of a 20-step tutorial for construction of McCall's shirt pattern 6898. See Blog Archive for other steps in the tutorial.Step 9 CollarPin interfaced collar to non-interfaced collar,...
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Steps 12, 13 & 14 - McCall's 6898
These are steps 12 through 14 of a tutorial for McCall's shirt 6898. See the Blog Archive for previous steps.Steps 12 through 14 Sleeve Tab, Sleeve Placket, Sleeve SeamsSleeves have two different...
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Steps 15, 16, & 17 - McCall's 6898
These are steps 15 through 17 for construction of McCall's 6898; see Blog Archive for other steps.Steps 15 & 16 Build CuffPress 1/2-5/8" on long un-notched edge of cuff.Fold and press pleats into...
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Steps 18, 19 & 20 - McCall's 6898
Here are steps 18 through 20 in a 20 step tutorial on McCall's shirt 6898. Please see the Blog Archive for previous steps.Step 18 ButtonholesMark one or two buttonholes on the cuff. In the photo I...
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Two Tutorials are Finished
During the Spring semester at College of DuPage, I taught Clothing Construction One. We made a dress, Simplicity 1277, and a blouse, McCall's 6898. Though the students finished their garments weeks...
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Embellishment with Nail Heads
The Simplicity 1277 dress I just completed might have been a bit dull without the nail head embellishment.I would wear the dress with black strappy sandals in the evening, perhaps with a biker-style...
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Spring 2015 Dior Jacket
I love the diagonal line of buttons on this embroidered linen jacket.While I like the entire outfit, I do not wish to make it. I would like to make a more traditional-style blazer that does not cut...
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Two Months to Sew a Denim Blazer!
I started a denim blazer back in early June thinking that my sewing schedule would return to normal after two years of graduate studies. Just before the graduation ceremony I decided to take four...
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Article 8
Over the summer I finished graduate school and began a new job as a teacher. My sewing time is scarce as I adapt to the new job so this knit top is the only garment I made during August. I like the...
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Summer 2016
It has been a wonderful summer with trips to Venice, Florence, Rome, and Minnesota. Florence may have David by Michaelangelo but Minneapolis has Mall of America! All wonderful places I wanted to visit...
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Linton Tweed for a Drawstring Shrug
A few new summer jackets!Marcy Tilton refers to her current Vogue 9190 designs as drawstring shrugs but I think they are great, easy summer jackets rather than simple shrugs. I have been wearing them...
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Panel Prints for End of Summer Sewing
Burda Style #115, May 2016With one more month of summer fashion, I decided to sew a gorgeous panel print rayon/lycra fabric from Mood. I purchased two panels which is approximately two yards of 60"...
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Jacket Vogue 9096
My "simple summer jacket" sewing theme is coming to an end with this jacket as a successful conclusion. Vogue 9096Asymmetrical overlay and shawl collar add nice visual interestI had good luck sewing...
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Plastron Blouse
Style 114 from the July 2016 issue of Burda Style Magazine features a wonderful blouse with an embellishment technique commonly referred to as the weaving of fabric strips. Burda Magazine refers to the...
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My Fabric Stash
I enjoy visiting friends who sew and I always ask to see their fabric stash. A fabric stash is like an art collection no matter the size or type of projects made. This summer I cleaned out my entire...
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Bead a Basic Button-Down Shirt
I fell in love with this $100 blouse sold out at J. Crew recently. A blue and white stripe button down with jeweled bees fits nicely in my casual wardrobe. Each bee is embroidered with unique-shaped...
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Navy Wool Peacoat
With winter in Chicago losing its bluster I finally finished a tailored coat project! I've been wanting a traditional 3/4 length wool coat for a long time and the fabric, from Mood's, has been...
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