Australian Stitches

Knit fabrics are made up of a series of interlocking loops that result in a flexible construction. All knits have a degree of stretch; the yarn and the knit structure used will significantly vary the amount and the direction of this stretch. There ar

By Lynn Cook Now she is back on home soil, and as promised, she is happy to share with you her tips on travelling with a sensible mix and match wardrobe – especially down the Rhine and Danube rivers on a ‘spaceship’. So, here goes, warts and all! It

By Alison Wheeler The description on the pattern envelope states that it is intended for medium knits only. However, by making a woven toile for fitting, any necessary pattern alterations can be made so that the fit is adjusted to accommodate a woven

By Lisa A. Christman, Ph.D. As a functional feature, collars often provide warmth and protection from the elements. Both the neckline and outer edge of a collar contribute to its overall appearance. Collars can be wide or narrow, flat or rolled, cut-

By Susan Khalje I don’t do a huge amount of sewing (and therefore cutting), so I haven’t gone the rotary cutter route (though I did use one years ago when I was working on a piping article for Threads Magazine. I did have to make miles of little bias

• Curvy and voluptuous figure types should take advantage of the strong ‘vintage glamour’ trend this season. Fabulous ‘50s inspired full-skirted looks with fitted bodices and sweetheart necklines just beg for va-va-voom curves (note the Simplicity dr

By Megan Nielsen The basic crux of it is this: a dart can be transferred to any position around the pivotal point of the bust, without altering the fit of the garment. Why is this a big deal? It means that if you have a pattern of which you love eve

By Judith Turner I use this method of securing the hem allowance on all leather garments, such as leather trousers and skirts. An alteration shop could charge up to $55 - $65 to shorten the sleeves. Imagine how much you can save by doing it yourself.

By Style Arc Back in the 1970s flares were all the rage. They sat high on the waist and had the famous wide leg. Over time, the waist dropped and the leg narrowed to become the hipster jean. While hip-hugging skinny jeans have been popular in recent

By Claire Shaeffer If you have never given a thought to making your own pads, now is the time to learn from an expert and be ready when the new styling arrives for winter. First, Claire experiments with readymade shoulder pads in different sizes, thi

As we already mentioned in ‘Get The Look’, separates for evening are where the current fashion action is. When the occasion calls for something a little more ‘dressed’, it’s worth skirting the issue, as there are now a great selection of floating, fl

By Lynn Cook When Lynn decided to reclaim her dressing room, cum sewing space, back into a guest bedroom, she had to think how to solve the problem of where to put everything, make it functional as a useable guest room without compromising too much o