August is always a transitional issue as Burda moves from boring simple summer patterns to more detailed fall and winter looks. This year looks to continue that trend. Can’t say I am salivating over any of these designs just yet, but, well, certainly looks better than July. Right now I am questioning some of their fabric … More Newsflash: August Burda Early Preview Posted
You stay off the internet for a week and it gets really easy to miss things, like new pattern announcements. Except, well, I don’t know that missing this announcement would have mattered much. It is even more boring than the McCall’s release I looked at yesterday. In fact, I think it is entirely possible I … More Newsflash: New Simplicity Patterns Announced
First, let me say I am quite sorry I have been very lacking in posts lately. Regionals came up quickly, and blogging was one of the things to get lost from my schedule (along with sleeping and eating as it happens). But I did manage to get twelve costumes (mostly) finished in time for the … More Newsflash: Fall McCall’s Announced
The full preview of the July Burda has been posted to the Russian Burda website. As I feared/predicted/have come to expect, since the June Burda was soooo good, the July issue is, well, just not. I mean, there are some good pieces, but nothing that I would consider truly spectacular. And the crazy…. oh yes … More Newsflash – July Burda Preview Posted
Ok, well, maybe not the best thing, but definitely one of the perks is the need to go to the LA fashion district on a fairly regular basis to buy fabric, rhinestones, and supplies.  And it seems to have ended up as something of a tradition to end each visit at the Michael Levine Loft – … More The Best Thing About Sewing For Other People…
Ok, so last time we left off with a fitted leotard. Â Now we have to add elastic to all of the arm and leg holes, as well as all of the other openings. Â The elastic will (1) give a finish to the exposed edges and (2) keep the skating costume in place during actual skating … More Skating Dress Tutorial Part V: Sewing Elastic
I have made this pattern several times before, and consider it a TNT, but this time I made one for my sister. Â I had to trace a different size, but even with tracing, cutting, and sewing the top only took a little over two hours to complete. Â It was a bit of an excuse to … More Not a Pattern Review: Another McCall’s 6078
The first images from the July Burda have been posted to the Russian website. As I suspected, so far this issue doesn’t look to be quite as exciting as June. However, it also doesn’t look to be a total waste of pattern paper either. So far I am liking about half of the preview designs, … More Newsflash: July Burda Early Preview Posted
Butterick has released their summer patterns, which you can see here. I would say there are some fairly cute dress patterns, and a few good basics. Also some really boring shirts, generic sleepwear, and oversized ponchos, but you can check those out on your own. Not really anything outstanding, but probably at least a few … More Newsflash: New Butterick Patterns Announced
Last time we cut out our skating costumes, so that means we are finally ready to sew! Â I will be sewing my costumes using my regular techniques, with a mix of the serger and sewing machine. Â You can use straight pins to hold things together, but I wouldn’t recommend sewing over them – it tends … More Skating Dress Tutorial Part IV: Sewing the Bodysuit
