Resources to Help with Your Sewing Projects

Sometimes I find help with a sewing project when I am not even looking for it.  I have been talking with my husband about making him a spring jacket and a winter jacket.   Off the rack jackets don’t fit him well.   Any purchased jacket pulls up at the back edge and looks askew on him.  I assume it is also uncomfortable.  I have been thinking about doing a rounded back adjustment on a pattern for him. 

And then I received my Threads Magazine Spring 2022 Number 217 in the mail.  On page 43 there is an article titled “Fit for Your Posture” by Sarah Veblen.  In that article she covers three common pattern adjustments needed due to our posture: Pronounced Lower Back Curve, Rounded Upper Back and Forward Shoulders.  I think her instructions for making adjustments for a rounded upper back will work for making a jacket for my husband.  I am going to put adjusting a pattern for him on my “Sewing to Do” list for March. 

Also in the same Threads Magazine is an article titled “How to Alter Men’s Shirts, Part 2” by Vanessa Nirode.  She explains how to fix sleeve, shoulder and collar fit issues.  My husband has a shirt with sleeves that are too long for him.  The instructions given in Ms. Nirode’s article are clear and seem to be simple to follow.  With this article in front of me, I think I have the confidence I need to tackle the project.  Shorten sleeves on shirt for Dave will also go on my March “Sewing to Do” list.

I recently posted an article on my blog about designing a wardrobe.  In the current issue of Threads, there is an article titled “Spring Preview, Wardrobe Inspiration from a Stylist Who Sews” by Emily Hallman.  This is an interesting read about the new spring styles the designers are showing in their new collections.  She also talks about the new hues that will be prevalent.  She talked about the bright colors like clementine and flamingo that were seen in many designers’ collections.  You might want to read her article to get some ideas for your spring wardrobe.

Today we have a wealth of information available to assist us in any sewing project we desire to tackle.  So set your sites on whatever you want to sew and then educate yourself on how best to proceed.  The information you need is at your fingertips.  Just check your resources.  The resources may be available books on sewing techniques or articles in sewing magazines.  They may also be articles or videos on the internet.  Do your research and then start sewing!

Good luck with whatever sewing project you choose.  Happy sewing!

Judy

 Are You Ready to Design Your Own Wardrobe?

This is day 14 of my February sewing hiatus.  So far, I have not sewn a stitch.  That doesn’t mean I am not thinking about many sewing related items.  I have attended and enjoyed several Zoom meetings with the Lansing Clippers ASG Chapter groups.  And in my mind, I have planned several sewing projects for the future.

As I told you in my last post, I thought February would be a good time to do a little sewing research.  With that in mind I watched a video with Mary Ray entitled “Design Your Own Wardrobe”.  The DVD is published and sold by Threads Magazine.  Mary is a contributing editor for Threads.  She is also a well-known sewing instructor and an award-winning designer.

Several years ago, I published a series of posts on my blog about making a 12-piece coordinating wardrobe.  So, I was intrigued by the title of this video.  Too bad I did not watch it before I made that wardrobe!  However, it is never too late to learn.  This video has a lot of valuable information that I can use every time I make a garment.

Mary Ray has arranged her video to cover all the subjects you need to understand before you begin making items for your wardrobe.  For example, one of the things she covers is identifying your body type.  She tells you how to determine if you are an hourglass, inverted triangle, triangle, rectangle, or circle.  She explains what types of clothes look good on each figure type. 

She also encourages you to focus on fit.  After all, if you make something that doesn’t fit right, you won’t enjoy wearing it or worse yet, you won’t wear it at all.  I spend a lot of time altering patterns to fit me and I think this is possibly the most important part of making a garment.  If you are interested in making a wardrobe, I suggest you get a basic pants pattern, a skirt pattern, a top pattern, and a casual jacket pattern that you like and really concentrate on getting those four patterns to fit you before you do any sewing. If you can't do it alone, ask a sewing friend to help you.

Mary Ray’s video discusses how to choose colors that look good on you.  From there she talks about color combinations.  Then she gives you tips about choosing fabric for your garments.  She said we usually choose our fabrics by:

l.  Color

2.  How the fabric feels

3.  Fiber Content

4.  How the fabric behaves when you sew it.  Some fabrics are more difficult to sew than others.

5.  What is in your fabric stash?  This is a good place to start.

At the end of the video there are several additional bonus items.  They include selected articles authored by Mary Ray that have appeared in Threads Magazine, a measurement chart, a color quiz, a resource list, and an essential wardrobe checklist.  All of the bonus items will aid in preparing you to design your wardrobe.

I know I have trouble choosing colors that look good on me as well as choosing colors that work well combined.  I am definitely going to view this DVD again to try to reinforce the information on choosing colors.   I think this DVD is a good resource for all of us who make clothes.  It gives so much information on the many subjects that need to be considered before we cut into a piece of fabric to make an article to add to our wardrobe. 

I am looking forward to using some of what I learned from watching Mary Ray’s “Design Your Own Wardrobe” DVD to sew a summer wardrobe.  I will be able to start it soon because my sewing hiatus is almost half over.

Good luck to you if you are planning to sew a new wardrobe.

Judy