There are many instances where you may need to sew just part of a hem. Maybe you have a skirt that is uneven, too long in the front or back, or maybe you have pants with the same problem. Many times, when I get a bridal gown to alter, the bride likes the train length…
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Keeping Your Notions Handy
Last week I showed you my sewing room. Today, I ‘d like to show you how I organize it. I was raised by a very organized mother. She taught me well. When you are finished with something, it goes right back where it belongs. But I’m not as good as I used to be. I…
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My Sewing Room
Where do you sew? Do you have a designated room where you can keep your machine set up at all times? Is it in a bedroom, a basement, a dining room, an office? Is it well lit, roomy, comfortable and has lots of storage and all the tools you need to create the projects of…
Read MoreMending What the Dog Chewed Up (Part Two)
In the last post, we looked at a technique on How to Mend What the Dog Chewed Up, Part One. In that scenario, I mended a few small spots on two Vera Bradley bags that a customer brought to me to fix. Her dog had chewed them both to pieces. Today, let’s look at one of the bags.…
Read MoreMending What the Dog Chewed Up (Part One)
A customer brought me 2 Vera Bradley bags (purses) that her dog chewed up and asked me if I could repair them. She really didn’t have high expectations; she figured anything I could do was better than what they looked like. But, she didn’t know that I have a favorite mending technique that earns rave…
Read MoreShortening Long Sleeves
Are the sleeves on your shirts too long? Shortening sleeves is a quick alteration. This technique will work for men’s or ladies shirts that have cuffs on them. Let me show you what I did on this purple shirt: There are two rows of stitching on the top edge of the cuff It’s a little hard to see…
Read MoreChanging a Garment From Zippered to Buttoned
I have a customer who loathes zippers in her robes. So, she asked me if I could take the zipper out and put in buttons. No problem, I answered. However, before I started, I wanted to make sure that she understood that she was going to lose some of the width in the front. Putting in buttonholes…
Read MoreFlip the Shirt Collar to Extend Its Use
My husband had a job for many years where he had to wear dress shirts to work. Invariably, the collars would be the first thing on the shirts to wear out. It’s hard to see in this photo, below, but the collar is beyond help. It is worn out. Because my husband has his favorite…
Read MorePutting Bustles On Your Wedding Gown
UPDATE 2/25/23: Read this post all the way to the end and then go back and read Making French Bustles, Even Easier Than Before for a shortcut on one of the steps. You’ll be glad you did! You’ll see why this dress ended up with a bustle in the location that it was and how…
Read MoreHow to Hem Lining on Pants (or Skirts)
We’ve covered so many ways to hem pants so far. If you’ve missed those, click on “Alterations” right here, or above, and it will lead you to all the posts I’ve written on hemming. But, for now, lets look at how to hem lining on pants or skirts. It’s very simple. Don’t be intimidated. First,…
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The Sewing Garden 