Sewing a Pillow with a Cording Edge and Invisible Zipper Closure

 
 This is a knife edge pillow with a contrasting fabric covered cord.  I love hydrangea flowers and centered the blue/green flower in the middle to pull out the green color in my new office.

How To Let Out (Or Take In) The Back Trouser Seam For Men's Trousers

Men's trousers are constructed so that there is a wide seam allowance in the center back seam.  This is to allow for alterations.  Have the client try on the trousers.  If they are too big, pinch the waist excess in the back and mark how much they need to be brought in.  If it needs to be more than 3", they need a smaller size trouser.  Taking in trousers more than 3" will distort the fit in the back of the trousers.

Making My Daughter's Wedding Dress

Making My Daughter's Wedding Dress

I will add commentary later.

How to Convert a Dress Into a Skirt

How to Convert a Dress Into a Skirt

I will add commentary later.

How To Make a Quilted Glasses Holder

How To Make a Quilted Glasses Holder


I will add commentary later.

How To Make a Small Quilted Tissue Holder

How To Make a Small Quilted Tissue Holder



I will come back later to add commentary.

How to Make a T-Shirt Smaller

When my four daughters were younger, I did the following alteration many times.  We would get some "hand-me-downs" from a friend and there would be some perfectly good T-shirts but they were too large.  The knit fabric was good quality so I would make the t-shirts smaller for my girls.  

My Daughter's Wedding

Hello again,

My daughter, Amanda, was married on August 3, 2013, to Chase Lewis, in the LDS Rexburg, Idaho, Temple.  The wedding plans pretty much consumed us throughout the summer, in addition to teaching three classes at BYU-I.  I was able to teach the Bridal Couture class, which was great, so that I could make the wedding dress during the semester and take it to class to share the steps with my students.

Amanda found her dream dress at David's Bridal, but it was not modest.  We could have bought the dress and altered it, but we chose to make it.  It was made out of peau de soie satin, tulle, and Alencon lace.  A student and I were able to find a great deal from a shop in LA where we purchased the re-embroidered lace for $25 a yard.  It was beautiful.

I only have some of the pictures so far, but will continue to edit this post as I gather more pictures.

ENJOY!!

Altering a Wedding dress--Adding Shoulders and Sleeves to Strapless Wedding Dress

In my home sewing business, I often alter wedding dresses, sometimes taking a strapless wedding dress and making it modest by adding shoulders and sleeves.  **Please note that I have an updated post that gives much more detail to adding sleeves to a strapless dress.**  Here are some examples:

Double-Needle Hem for Knits

I make a lot of knit shirts and camis for my daughters because I can make them custom length and modest.  It is important to have a stretch hem so that the stitches don't pop.  I also have a home sewing business and need to shorten hems on T-shirts for some of my customers.  There are special (and expensive) sergers that have the coverstitch feature, which duplicates the stretch hem you see on most ready-made apparel. You can duplicate this at home with a simple notion, which is one of my favorite:  The Double Needle.

Sewing the Butterick 6085 Blouse

 

CUTTING OUT THE FABRIC

Find your pattern pieces:  one front, one back, one sleeve, one collar, and optional pocket.  Fit the pattern and look for any alteration needs:  bust, waist, hip, and length.  Do any necessary pattern alterations.

How to Make a Reversible Pillow with Tie

Elastic Waist Pant Construction

Simple Three-Fabric Pillowcase Project

This pillowcase pattern is used in the Clothing Construction I class, FCS 207, at BYU-I.

You will be using three fabrics for (1) pillowcase body, (2) pillowcase hem, and (3) pillowcase trim.

First, put each fabric on grain for crosswise grain by having fabric folded in half with selvage edges matching.

How to Shorten a Topstitched Hem for Jeans and Casual Pants

NOTE:  At the bottom of the post, I will show you how to shorten a jean hem by keeping the original hem and stitching.