There has been some chat on various sewing lists and forums lately about tracing patterns and adding seam allowances to them, so here is a repeat of a tutorial I wrote several months ago that some of you may have missed and may find helpful... For those of us who draft our own patterns, or trace them from the various pattern magazines, here's an easy way to add seam allowances--It's very simple...and while not a new concept, I do it a bit differently.The method is basic:Add the seam allowanc... Read Full Story

I am so sorry that it's taking me this long to continue to explore the Japanese Shirtmaking book that I started several days ago.  I am recovering from a hip joint/bone injury that has severely limited my ability to stand, sit, sew,..gosh almost everything.  I promise I will get back to it soon, hopefully within the next week.  This blog and it's readers are very important to me, and It's frustrating not to be able to blog with sewing pictures and procedures...rather than this ... Read Full Story

The 3 "Must Have" INTERFACINGS are NOW ON SALE !PRO-SHEER Elegance, PRO-WEFT,  and  PRO-TAILOR DELUXE !REGULARLY $6.88-$7.98....NOW $6.25 per yard All 3 are NOW ON SALE THROUGH Thursday, November 12th At ~FASHION SEWING SUPPLY~PRO-SHEER Elegance is The Ultimatein "Low Temperature" fusible interfacing. This amazing "low-temp" fusible interfacing is suitable for all knits and lightweight woven fabrics... and is available in White and Black.This sheer matte interfacing truly is differ... Read Full Story

I am so happy that HotPatterns has re-introduced my all time favorite ladies shirt pattern,  The Plain and Simple Princess Shirt. I have made this shirt so many times, both for myself and for gifts and just love how versatile it is.The HotPatterns folks say this style has been re-fitted with a better sleeve, re-graded to their multisize charts and now comes with new instructions and diagrams. Frankly, I can't imagine this pattern getting any better, and I am really looking forward t... Read Full Story

I think we all try to keep our interfacing perfectly folded in a drawer or neatly rolled on tubes. But how many times have you reached for a piece of interfacing only to find a wrinkled mess like this...Probably like me, more than once.   Luckily there is an easy fix, and it starts at your grocery store. Or perhaps you already have it in your pantry... Parchment Paper! First, roll out a length of parchment paper onto your ironing board or other pressing surface.Next, Place your... Read Full Story

Yes, yes...I know...I should be doing so many other things (like Japanese shirt sewing) !   But this morning I just felt like sewing something very fun, very quick, and very easy  :)  This is the "Dots T-shirt" from the new 06/09 Ottobre Design issue, style #29. This one was made from a soft medium weight cotton/lycra knit for my 10-yr old niece, Willow.  Of course, I can never just leave a pattern be without adding or changing something...so... In order to get as muc... Read Full Story

 For those of you anxious to continue to explore the Japanese Shirt-Making book, I will be writing about it again within a few days. Recently I've had other sewing and business commitments that need attention.  But I am anxious to continue...so please bear with me! Read Full Story

Here is the PDF of the Shirt Chic article I recently wrote and that was published in the American Sewing Guild's Magazine Fall Issue for you to download.  Yes, of course I received permission from the ASG to offer this download to you.  It is FREE for you to download....However I would appreciate a donation in any amount for my work effort. 90% of all donations will be sent to the American Sewing Guild to support their superb organization. Thank-you...and enjoy the article!~ Cl... Read Full Story

I was honored to be asked to write the cover article for the Fall 2009 edition of the American Sewing Guild's Magazine. Titled "Shirt Chic", the article includes my take on Choosing Fabrics, Fine-Tuning Construction, and Adding Designer Details.  I hope that you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it for you ! Read Full Story

Well...so far, so slow.   The good news is that a shirt pattern is a shirt pattern is a shirt pattern.  What I mean is that I am very familiar with shirt pattern "parts"...there isn't much I haven't seen after sewing hundreds of shirts I've either drafted from scratch or used patterns to make.  The slow part is familiarizing myself with the methodology of this Japanese Shirtmaking book with no English translation. Specifically,  how these pattern pieces are draft... Read Full Story