BLOG
Wool Bouclé — Uniquely Modern Knits
Unlike storied fabrics with ancient origins, bouclé is a uniquely modern knit born of 20th Century fashion royalty, the legendary French designer Coco Chanel.
Learn more
Bibbity, Bobbity Boob — FBA for Butterick B6667
There are many sources for making a full bust adjustment (FBA) online. I looked around the internet, landed on one, experimented and made adjustments. There IS a certain amount of trial and error here. Around this establishment we refer to making a FBA as, “bibbity, bobbity, boob”!
Learn more
Collar Sewing Tips for Vogue Patterns V1784
Inside secrets from Marcy Tilton on how to construct the layered pieced collar for her shirt design V1784 for Vogue Patterns.
Learn more
Two Most Asked Questions About Fabrics
How Much to Buy? How to Pre-Treat and Clean? There is no 'magic bullet' answer to either question but there are simple guidelines but no hard and fast rules. Use common sense, experiment and frame the question to thinking like a designer.
Learn more
Custom Fitting a T-Shirt Pattern
No matter the pattern, I always change it straight out of the envelope. Here I alter a Christine Jonson pattern, #1025, Base Wear Two. I like this pattern a lot. I also find Sandra Betzina, Burda (and of course, Marcy and Katherine Tilton) patters run true to body measurements. The changes I demonstrate in these videos will help you customize any T-shirt pattern to your own dimensions.
Learn more
Sewing with Mesh Knits and Laces
True confessions...I don’t do a thing to these fabrics before sewing. If I DID, I’d pre-treat by dipping in warm water and air dry, would NEVER put them in the dryer. After sewing, hand wash and air dry, touch up press.
Learn more
The Fearless Buttonhole Secret
Join me as I demonstrate how to make the perfect buttonhole. There are a few steps to the process, but if you do it right, you'll have the perfect buttonhole in no time at all. Take time to remove the bumps, and use handy time-tested tailoring tools like a clapper, a great iron, and clo-chalk. You can create buttonholes like the professionals do.
Learn more
How to cut stripe knit fabric on the bias
In this video I use Vogue Pattern 9057 to share simple secrets for cutting a stripe knit fabric on the bias. I'm making my version of the French mariner shirt. Join me as I share some of the best tips for laying fabric on the diagonal, and where to position the selvedge in the process.
Learn more
Making a Muslin Fabric
I recently received a question about making a 'muslin' for knit tops and t-shirts which leads me to share thoughts on what is a 'muslin' and how it relates to testing a pattern or design. Here is the question and my response including some thoughts on the process of making or using a muslin and facts about the fabric itself.
Learn more