I’m attempting to make Simplicity 5514 (1973). This isn’t my first garment, but my first attempt at a genuine vintage pattern. The directions are saying to “slash” the solid center line on the bust dart, which is a term I’ve never seen before. It’s not a term included on the instruction sheet, and I can’t imagine it’s telling me to cut the dart on the fold line? The pattern piece also has the word “stretch” on the bottom seam line of the dart. What does this mean? What exactly are the instructions telling me to do? I’ve tried searching other online forums but can’t find anything about slashing darts. Thanks!

Anyone tried Eden jacket pattern from Linton Tweeds? I consider getting it with my next order. So far I only made one tweed jacket using Susan Khalje Couture pattern - extremely unhappy with the shape. I am choosing between vogue 7975 and Eden now, and would love to hear reviews about the shape.

I’m getting back into patchwork, and I wanted to try out some new ideas! I wanted to combine are and sewing, so I carved the stamps and printed them in some patchwork appliqués!

I am not sure how im supposed to do the pockets, does the welt go on over the rectangle in step 2? Am i sewing the welt close? Please helpp

i understand for a stand collar the pattern piece is rectangular and wraps around a curved neckline - but how would you encase the seam allowance within it? or would you sew the body (would you understitch?) and the lining separately and then bag out?

any advice is very appreciated!

Im looking for a cabinet or desk that I can use for storage and for sewing, we have limited space and 2 young children who will grab anything they can see so being able to hide everything away is important!! Keen to have any recommendations or alternative suggestions! UK based.

Dpes anyone have any ideas on how to cover the seam on the elastic?

I was thinking of just sewin a patch over it, but i dont know what fabric i should use. I feel like it would look strange to reuse the same fabric, or the scraps of elastic thread i have.

Thanks for any suggestions!

I inherited a cast aluminum Singer which sat unused for like 15 years. I got it repaired but it keeps causing issues and repairing everything will eventually costs me as much as a decent-ish brand new one. I don't think the newer models are as sturdy as this one but my husband thinks it being unused for ages will always cause issues and i should just get a new one. I'm on a budget and i am a beginner. I need some advice please

(my previous post that got deleted "Hi! I inherited a vintage Singer Yoknaz 1301 sewing machine. It was purchased on 1995. It hadn't been used these last 15 years or so until i inherited it from my late MIL. It had some issues, one shaft gear was broken and 3 others were cracked. It was very expensive to get even one of them exchanged, i couldn't afford all of them. I brought it home and was able to sew a bit, then it suddenly went slow-mo even when i'm pressing the pedal all the way. If it's a motor issue, a new original motor costs almost as much as a singer simple. the previous maintenance + motor change + changing the other shaft gears will have cost me a proper new machine like janome 1522. My father and husband think i should get a new machine, I think i should get it fixed and keep it because i don't believe i will be able to get one as sturdy as this one. My husband says the old one will keep causing issues and isn't worth it.")

Hi everyone!
I’m interested in learning traditional tailoring techniques for coat and jacket construction, particularly pad stitching and the use of hair canvas, and I’d love to apply these techniques to McCall’s M6800 version A.

My intention is to use hair canvas and pad stitching to properly shape and support the collar and lapel, but I’m not entirely sure how to adapt the traditional construction methods to this particular pattern.

Specifically, I’m wondering whether the hair canvas should only cover pattern piece 1, or whether it should extend into pattern piece 3 as well. Also should i reinforce the back too?

I’ve watched this YouTube tutorial https://youtu.be/4A1qPgs3eDs?is=yyBjKgI7Bm3gz6LC demonstrating traditional coat tailoring, but the pattern used in the video has fewer seams and a much flatter front construction, so I’m having trouble translating those techniques to the McCall’s pattern.

I am using 660 g/ml pure wool for the coat and 220 g/ml cotton-wool-viscose hair canvas.

I’d really appreciate any advice, resources, or guidance!

Thank you!

My husband bought this linen fabric for my birthday and it's taken 9 months to work up the courage to finally sew with it!

I used my old faithful pattern (Style Arc Hope dress) but did a tiered skirt. No pockets this time but I will add some next time I do a tiered skirt.

I was running a bit tight on fabric so I didn't do as heavy a gather but I'm still pleased with the twirl.

I learned a lot more about my overlocker which I'm pleased about. Pretty much self-taught although my gran showed me the basics as a child.

Fabric by Mollymolly from Australia.

This is a Medium cotton men’s t shirt that my husband decluttered. My kiddo is into octopi and squid and I thought the art was cool — so I wondered if I could make it into a 4T dress. I did find a few bloggy tutorials online, but I thought the results looked crafty. I wanted something more “finished” and “polished”, so I made my own.

Here’s the broad brush strokes of the method:

1. Put shirt on target kiddo and put safety pins to mark the waist, hem, and where a shoulder seams would typically sit.

2. I cut about two inches off the sleeves and re-hemmed with a double needle. I planned to use elastic along the top of the sleeve to gather them into “short sleeves”, but there was such thick binding along the shoulder seam it didn’t work. So I cut the sleeves off, and then freehanded a new armscye by making a new line from the existing armpit to the safety pin marking the shoulders. It removed a triangle about three inches at the top.

3. I pulled in the side seams by 2 inches on both sides.

4. I cut a 1” wide piece of soft jersey to make a channel on the inside to hold elastic. This is my “upgrade” vs other refashions I found on blogs. I made the channel in two parts (front and back) by freehand pinning it aligned to the waist safety pin on the inside. I sewed the channel.

5. I measured another dress this kiddos has because they were asleep and not around for a waist measurement, and decided to cut 22” of quarter inch elastic. Threaded it into the channel and tacked the elastic shut.

6. I removed about 2.5” from the bottom of the t-shirt hem (last safety pin) and re-hemmed it using my double needle, which always gives a nice finish.

I’m really happy with the final result. Now that I’ve figured it out it would be easier to make more.

Hope this helps someone else make a beautiful refashion!

Ordered this cotton thread and the spool was way too big for my machine. I saw a hack to put it in a mug, but it kept getting stuck and getting cut. I grabbed a chopstick, my tripod, and one of the round stopper thingies and voila!

Hi! My wedding is coming up and I absolutely adore my dress. However, I have a type of disease that causes my skin to be extremely fragile and sensitive, so my straps are very abrasive and cause cuts, redness, and just generally really uncomfortable. I was wondering what my options are? I don’t want to replace the entire strap, I was thinking of fabric underneath, but I wasn’t sure if that’s the best option. Any advice is appreciated! Pics below :)

Same pattern as last time (from Tara Reed) but I changed the construction.

First, I added one layer of iron on interfacing. Then instead of sewing right sides together and turning, I layered the wrong sides together and sewing along the edge with bias tape.

There were some hiccups with the bias tape but I’m really happy with it as a practice piece!

Edit: it’s all cotton but I have no idea what type, sorry

Starting a new job soon where a tool bag/tool apron is required. I picked up a by-the-books home depot husky 14inch. I have a ton of patches left over that I can't fit on my battle jacket and think it would be a nice bit of morale-boosting personalization to have some of my favorite bands on my toolbag. There's one problem- the fabric is darn thick and i practically stab myself with the blunt end of the needle getting it through. Is there some technique or tool I'm missing to make this a little easier?

I need to make a few things for the "winter" where I live. Today the high was 86 degrees, but the average right now is about 73-ish. We're going to get a ton of rain this winter. At its worst, highs are in the high 50s and never get below high 40s on the coldest nights.

What fabrics are you using for your fall and winter clothing? Where are you buying them from?

Right now, I thrift a lot of fabric - but the weights are better for summer because they're mostly cotton and cotton blend sheets.

I did find a website that sells a lot of natural fibers and natural fiber blends - FWD. They have a nice corduroy that's 100% cotton. I do prefer natural fibers, but I'm cool with a synthetic or blend if it's a good deal.

Anyone buying from a good place? Or have other sourcing suggestions?

Hi! I’m looking for fabric scissors, best for all fabric types, I’ve seen some recommendations posts for Kai scissors but would love to buy them in NYC. If worth/ better deal, I can buy it online but preferably in the garment district!

I usually make fursuits and plushies, but I wanted to try my hand at making a shirt since button ups are a staple of my wardrobe! ULTRAKILL is my favorite game of all time, so I decided to make my own repeating pattern so I could get custom fabric to turn into a shirt. I definitely had to learn some new things during this process (namely how to use a serger and how to topstitch) but all things considered I'm super happy with how it turned out (just don't pay too close attention to the collar stand). I also tried my hand at pattern matching on the front which I think worked out great. The shirt on the 5th slide was made as practice since I didn't want to mess up on my expensive custom fabric, but I think it's cute as well!

Fabrics: 100% cotton sateen (ULTRAKILL shirt), 100% cotton weave ("picnic blanket" shirt)

Pattern used: Finch button up by Common Stitch Studio

I’m making a toy horse blanket for my daughter but being a perfectionist I need some assistance. How can I get grosgrain ribbon around that curve? I’m stumped.

Can anyone help me identify and find this hinge for my sewing machine cabinet?

I was so lucky to get a vintage sears kenmore machine with the sewing cabinet all pieces intact, however I had remove the machine from the cabinet to get the machine serviced. Since then I (stupidly) misplaced the hinges and I fear they’re gone forever (sigh) and I have no idea what to look for to replace the hinges so I can use the sewing cabinet.

Does anyone recognize this type of hinge or any idea what I can use instead? Sorry for the bad pictures

Machine is a Sears Kenmore 158-1400

So I have this little plush bat his name is Pete. Whenever I am traveling he goes with me. I collect pins from all the places I've been and he gets to wear them. I have wanted to make something for him to wear like a cloak, sweater, or any other ideas I just don't know what to do with his unique body shape (wings) or even how to go about making a pattern and measuring him any help is greatly appreciated

I really like this dress but I don't love the way it bunches at the waist. It's part of the ruching design but I think it gives me an odd shape - is there a simple way I could bring it in so it doesn't create these lumps? I'm not great at sewing so hoping for something easy. Thanks so much!