Above is an official government cartoon featuring Mrs. Sew and Sew a “woman of resource and ideas” who promoted the “make do and mend” philosophy of the lean World War II years. In Britain, clothes were rationed from 1941-1949. At the beginning of the ration, women were allotted 66 coupons to spend on a year’s […]
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The Great British Sewing Bee!
I am slightly alarmed to see that possibly only two of the people pictured seem to be wearing their own creations! And one of them is a judge! I do hope to be proved wrong… They look like a jolly bunch, & I already know I’m going to be envious of their work space!! I […]
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Notions: Make a Hem on a Chiffon Garment.
To make a hem on a chiffon garment: Sew a straight stitch about 0.5cm or 1/4″ to 1.5cm or 3/8″ away from the cut edge. Iron the hem up at the stitched line. The stitched line will help the iron naturally turn the fabric. Stitch the turned area down with a straight stitch, just […]
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The best Haberdashery shops in London!
Back when I had just taken Laura After Midnight full time I read a blog post by a small business owner who had been working away on her business for a couple years & was about to go on holiday. Probably many people reading this wont understand the magnitude of that statement however; I was […]
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Notions: Threading a Needle
When threading a needle to begin sewing, make the thread twice as long as usual. Fold the thread in half and thread the resultant loop through the eye of the needle. Pull the loop longer than the two loose ends. Take a stitch, thread the needle through the loop and pull tight. Voila! a secure […]
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Notions: Herringbone Stitch.
Illustration from McCalls Sewing in Colour, 1960. I know this seems complicated but I use Herringbone Stitch for all my hems. I first got taught this technique when I was working at the- now sadly closed down & sold off for parts- BBC Costume Department in West London. The reason it was being used on […]
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Notions: Gorgeous Vintage details
Another of the little gems hidden away in my collection. I am simply dying to use this on a top & as I am teaching a Pattern Cutting Course at the moment, & have to draft a simple top as an example, I may just cheekily make it up with this snazzy little detailing… maybe […]
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Notions: The Language of Patterns.
No doubt the sketch of the design on the front of the envelope will catch your eye first. From McCall’s Sewing in Colour A beginning seamstress may feel Einstein’s theories are as easy to understand as the intricacies of a first pattern. Here is a place where first steps should be taken slowly […] […]
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Notions: Measuring yourself for a Perfect Fit.
So, you’ve picked out the perfect Pattern, or your making your own during Pattern Month, you’ve chosen your fabric & are generally wildly excited about learning how to make your own clothes, but where to start? The very first thing to do is to take some measurements, in order to figure out what size is […]
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Notions: 7 Steps to Perfect Darts
Forgive the lateness, I have been terribly ill with a throat infection! Darts – a Reverse Approach tutorial from Burda This week the lovely ladies on my Beginners Dressmaking course at Flo-Jo Boutique seemed to all be tackling darts, so with a little help from Burda I though I’d talk a little about them. …”darts […]