Ready...........get set..........SEW!!!

GETTING STARTED 

We have enjoyed our trip to OZ and this is probably the most frequently asked question:" where do you get your paper and in what do you press the pin in?"

 Before you even start with anything... get yourself organized.

• Lift your table on a higher level, helps for the back.

• Protect your table – normally with a small wooden (balsa) block.

I use is a sort of a chipboard (ask at your local hardware store), they cut it to your size of your table and mine was between NZ$15-18. Cover it with calico and you’ve got yourself a fantastic table to cut and draft your patterns! You can press the pin anywhere on your table because there is always protection!

• Buy “End-of-Roll News Print” from your Printers where they print the Local newspaper.

This is very cheap and you can roll the paper out to whatever length you need. Easy to fit with this paper, do your own designs playing with the paper, its cheap and easy to see if you’re ideas are working before cutting into the fabric!

• Do your dots with a Felt-tip pen, easy to see dots on paper and make them nice reasonable sizes. Do your lines in pencil: it won’t be that messy as working just with the felt-tip pens.

  CHECK YOUR SYMBOL PAGE

Before you start drafting a pattern, check your symbols on your specific pattern.

Fuller figure symbol (the little black dressmakers model) –

Tops (anything using the bust measurement – dresses, tops, jackets) - Anybody with bust measurement 96cm and above can wear these styles and the normal styles. If you’re sewing for somebody 92cm and below this will be too large for her, they’re too petite.... 94cm is on the edge, some can and some can’t. Fit the paper pattern to get a result!

Trousers – The fuller figure trousers will give you a longer crotch length.

Saying that, sometimes I get somebody short but with hips 120cm (she usually thinks she’s fuller figure) but always have trouble with the crotches always too long. The same thing is going to happen if you ‘re doing the fuller figure trousers, so please just choose a normal pattern and use your hip measurement.

Then we get people with a hip measurement of only 92cm but legs very long and a very long crotch.To get the longer crotch, you need to use the fuller figure pattern. Please it only means a longer crotch, okay!

• Stretch Symbol (the little knitted jumper) – With this symbol you must use stretch or knitted fabric, otherwise the pattern won’t fit!

• You can use a woven pattern with a stretch fabric –

Instead of doing my normal 1.5cm (⅝") seam allowances – I just do 1cm (½") but still sew 1.5cm (⅝") seam allowances – so I take away some of the ease of the woven pattern using stretch fabric. Rule of thumb this works with 80% of all my students – so I suggest you do one and see how much you take off and make a mental note of that.We all like different ease in our clothes. With the young ones they like their clothes very tight and fitted – I don’t add any seams, but still sew 1.5cm (⅝") seams, just because that’s how they usually like it!

Fitting Rules:

For a perfect fit every time follow the following rules.

 Rule 1:

• Always fit your paper pattern before you cut the fabric!

• Measure your waist, compare to paper pattern waist measurement.

• Always remember seam allowances.

Rule 2:

• Ensure that you have done RULE 1.

• Never cut your fabric before you have done Rule 1 and 2 and 3.

RULE 3:

• Refer back to RULE 1.

• Never take shortcuts; the cut might be to short.

SUPPLEMENT # 265 (Summer edition) 

The most recent Supplement # 265 (Summer) arrived yesterday. 

Townsville, this is one for you again!

Trousers:

• ¾ Trousers galore, different lengths and styles too choose from. Interesting details and pockets to play around with. Smart short patterns, as well.

• Something that we requested for some time is a “Skinny Jeans Pattern”.

Dresses:

• Dresses all sorts, don’t know which to pick!

• Shift, empire lines, cross-over, over bust with interesting straps. There are loose ones, fitted and semi fitted. If you like dresses this is a must.

 Tops:- All sorts

• T-shirts –scoop necks, round necks, long ones looking good over leggings- with sleeves or without sleeves.

• Safari-style fitted shirt with collar, with interesting sleeve and cuff details, added bottom part almost like peplum with added pockets.

• Tops with frilly soft flowing sleeves and frilly collars.

• Dropped sleeves with interesting shoulder seams.

• Soft Peter Pan collar and soft sleeves in cuff.

• Most of the dresses we can use as tops as well and they will look great.

 Jackets:

• Mainly loose casual jacket with zip or buttons.

• Bolero style jacket with long sleeves, good for evening wear using lace!

Fuller figure:

• ¾ Trousers galore, different lengths and styles too choose from. Loose but not to wide elasticized trousers

• Casual jackets that can be worn as tops as well with either zip or buttons.

• Cross-over princess dress with loose soft frill for sleeve.

• Shawl collar soft flowing blouse or jacket, one that I definitely have to make.

• Good shift dress with princess style shawl collar blouse. I think this is a good pattern for the “Melbourne Cup”.

 Children’s Patterns:

5-9 years age group.

• Round neck T-Shirt and Pinafore style skirt for girls and a Bib trouser for the boys. Will look good in Denim and those mums with the Embroidery machines start creating!

The 40 patterns are available at US$20 plus shipment. You can also subscribe for a full year and receive 4 supplements of 40 patterns each for US$60 plus shipment. To order please go to the  ORDER link and follow the instructions on our SECURE website.  

NEW CLASSIC COLLECTION 2 

The New Classic Collection 2 - Special Edtion #30 -  has just arrived.This edition consists of 72 exciting patterns for the Fuller Figure.

 Trousers:

Elasticized, Fitted, Narrow, Shaped, Casual or Smart trousers to choose from. With darts or pleats. Two very nice denim patterns.

 Dresses:

Dresses all sorts, summer or winter smart or casual fitted or semi fitted.

There is one very slimming dress that I just love, V- neckline with princess lines and flaring out below the knees, it’s just gorgeous. A Camisole long dress, which is on paper a nightgown but it can also be a gorgeous evening gown.

 Tops:- All sorts,

T-shirts

Safari-style shirts, loose over blouses fitted tops with interesting collars. Cross-over in the princess lines some ruching.

 Jackets:

Wide neck, double or single breasted.

Loose casual jackets with zips or buttons.

Fitted princess lines with shawl collars or revere collars to choose from, also in different lengths.

Those of you familiar with the Classic special edition no.26, will also enjoy this one.

For a limited time only....until 4 June 2007.....we will have a great special on the NEW CLASSIC EDITION. 

We are offering it to you for US$30 delivered (including packaging & shipment): This amounts to approximately (depending on the exchange rates)  £16, CAD34, AUD38 & NZ$43 . Don't miss this opportunity, just click on the ORDER link and follow the easy steps on our SECURE Website. Remember only up to 4 June 2007.

Copyright 2007 Sewing With Pride. All rights reserved.

Sewing With Pride is committed to protecting your privacy. We do not sell, trade, rent or otherwise disclose any personal information you provide to us.