Innehållsförteckning för No. 25-7 från Australian Stitches

Welcome to the latest issue of Australian Stitches! This issue, we take a look at the latest trends and newest styles of the season. Our Fashion Editor Eddi has put together a stunning selection of pieces that are a must for your wardrobe! We have also included some great articles full of helpful sewing advice. Learn how to digitize your sewing patterns and how to easily alter the length of your favourite dress. Make sure to check out our new shopping guide sections – we have found a fabulous variety of products and fabrics to inspire your next creation! We love to hear from our readers, so if you have any feedback or would like to show us photos of your latest creation then send it in to us! You…

There are a few reasons why a dress might need to be lengthened. But the main one I come across is that of age. As we get older, our knees just don’t seem to hold the same appeal that they did when we were younger. So a dress that is above or on the knee might not look as good as it did 5 or 10 years ago. One of my clients had this happen and she came to me with some plain chiffon fabric to add to the bottom of a floral dress. The colour she chose and the type of fabric were perfect for this alteration. This is the dress before it was lengthened. (See Photo 1) My client chose the length of the frill. I did give…

Go soft on colour Soft, pretty, almost-pastel shades not only point towards the softer, lighter hues of Spring, they make a refreshing change from the same old transeasonal neutrals. They also cast a more flattering light on a wider range of complexions. Go for muted, almost ‘dusty’ tones of unexpected colours like mint, slate blue or mauve, as they are more sophisticated than those baby pinks and blues. They also mix really well with the greys and browns of winter, as well as the whites and tans of Spring and Summer … or you can play with several soft tones in one look, as in the elegant outfit by New Look on this page; - a modern update on the classic skirt suit. In fact, any type of suit gets…

FLOWER POWER A new arrival of beautiful floral prints – these fabrics are a beautiful choice for your next project. Astratex Website: www.astratex.com.au Address: 273 Swan Street, Richmond VIC 3121 Phone: (03) 9427 9877 NEW ARRIVALS These new fabrics have a lovely subtle print. With their graceful colour palettes – you can’t go wrong! Astratex Website: www.astratex.com.au Address: 273 Swan Street, Richmond VIC 3121 Phone: (03) 9427 9877 STYLE AND GRACE A range of striking colours, these fabrics would work well for blouses, skirts pants and more. RRP ranges from $12.90 to $37.00 per metre. Emerald Fabric Boutique Website: www.emfab.com.au Address: Shop 3/107 Clermont Street, Emerald QLD 4720 FLUTTER BUTTERFLIES A decorative design combining modern floral motifs that resemble free falling flowers with stemmed background. 100% cotton. RRP $28.20 per…

Have you come to believe you have narrow shoulders? (You probably don’t!) Think you have a sway back? (Probably not) These are some of the comments I hear from ladies, when I first introduce them to Connie Crawford's patterns. The problem is not you – it is that many commercial patterns are not well drafted or graded properly for the mature figure. Now, we have all tried to make various adjustments to these flawed patterns to get a better fit, but unless we know what is wrong (technically speaking) in the first place, our efforts can just lead to more problems and frustration. The answer is to start with a technically correct, well fitting pattern! So, as I mentioned while introducing Connie in the last issue, Connie Crawford has created…

The great thing about sewing fashion is that it opens up a whole world of possibilities, even with something as humble and as simple as the dirndl skirt. But before you start thinking of 1950’s housewives or Oktoberfest beer maidens, we’re talking about a completely different skirt … one that is zooming to the top of the charts to become the surprise hit of the year! Here we take one such simple and easy to sew skirt pattern from Simplicity and show you all the exciting ways you can go with it. Day Make it in a fresh, summery print, in the slightly longer length (of View A that you see on this page) so that it catches the breeze, pair it with an equally easy top and some nude…

How to Use, Adapt and Design Sewing Patterns by Lee Hollahan Accomplished fashion designer Lee Hollahan shows women who make their own garments how to improve on store-bought sewing patterns by adjusting the clothing item’s length and other details to reflect personal taste and create a custom fit. The book’s opening chapters present an illustrated guide to the tools, equipment, and fabrics needed for making garments, while also serving as a miniature textbook to teach basic sewing techniques. Chapters that follow offer detailed instruction in adapting and altering a store-bought pattern to suit individual tastes. Chapter 2 covers commercial patterns and includes a section on body shape, Chapter 3 looks at pattern alterations, Chapter 4 focuses on designing your own patterns, Chapter 5 contains pattern blocks and Chapter 6 looks…

Nice Splice What’s the newest way to update even the simplest T-shirt top or tunic? Splice it! Not only does it create unique design interest, as you can combine several colours or prints in one item, (we particularly love the way it gives graphic black and white stripes a new spin as shown on these pages,) but they can also flatter your figure like nothing else. For example, look at the cowl necked tunic by Kwik•sew on the facing page; - the diagonal stripes going across the bottom half of the garment visually minimises hips, as the contrast of horizontal stripes does in the top half. Mixing those stripes with solid colours on one half of the garment, as in the Butterick style also on the facing page, also instantly…

Retro Toppers: McCALL’S M7461 PRINCESS-SEAMED COAT AND JACKET WITH SHAWL OR PETER PAN COLLAR. CHILDREN’S/GIRLS’ SIZES: 3 - 14 The Cool Chambray Shirtdress: NEW LOOK 6487 SHIRTDRESS. GIRLS’ SIZES: 8 - 16 STRIPES! Every Which Way ... McCALL’S M7424 KNIT TOP WITH LAYERED HEMLINE & VARIATIONS. CHILDREN’S/GIRLS’ SIZES: 3 - 14 McCALL’S M7425 GORED, FLARED SKIRT WITH BIAS-CUT PANELS ON HIPS. CHILDREN’S/GIRLS’ SIZES: 3 - 14 McCALL’S M7427 HOODED CARDIGAN WITH DRAPED SHAWL COLLAR AND LACE PANEL AT BACK! GIRLS’ SIZES: 7 - 14 60’s Flower Children: SIMPLICITY 8225 PROJECT RUNWAY FAUX FUR VEST, 3/4 SLEEVE TOP WITH TRIMMED BODICE AND RUFFLE SLEEVES, SKIRT WITH ELASTIC WAIST AND LONG SLEEVE DRESS. CHILDREN’S/GIRLS’ SIZES: 3 - 14 Faux Fur & Tartan: VOGUE V9219 MALIA JANVEAUX FOR KATHRYN BRENNE FAUX FUR COAT…

“I’m so concerned about proportions, curves and necklines. It’s a very subtle thing and goes beyond the design …” She’s come a very long way from the fun, witty and colourful conversational men’s ties that launched her name in the mid 1980’s, and nowadays, designer Nicole Miller is seen as a smart, savvy businesswoman as well as a fun-loving ‘girl’ (which she prefers to be called) who always loves to go out, meet people and have a great time, just like the women she dresses. The Nicole Miller girl is someone ‘who doesn’t have to wear a suit to be strong’ she has often said. In fact, even though her company now creates a wide range of items bearing her name, from menswear to bridal wear and a full range…

I recently received a letter from Deborah asking about how to correct a small problem she had while fitting her Connie Crawford block. Deborah asked how to get rid of that pull line at the base of the armhole. (See photo 1) The reason for that pull line is not instantly obvious. The problem is that there is not enough fabric to cover the back area above the shoulder blades. The upper area does look fine in the photo but if you add some extra length to the back neckline the pull line will drop out and the back will sit smoothly. You’ll need a sewing buddy to help you with this. Pull on the hemline of the shell until the pull line disappears at the armhole and make a…

1. To determine how much you need to expand the pattern, measure your body 7.5cm (3in) above and below your natural waistline. Use the larger measurement as your reference measurement. Add 10cm-15cm (4in-6in) of ease to this measurement. A drapey fabric, which is slightly more generous in the oversized area will be more flattering than a skimpy cut. See diagram 1. 2. Compare your full-bust measurement to the pattern size you are using. Measure the pattern between the seam lines in your oversized area. Determine how much will be needed to reach your tummy measurement plus the 10cm-15cm (4in-6in) of ease. If more is needed at the bust, divide the alteration amount by four and add to the side seams. 3. Check yourself in a full-length mirror. Is the majority…

Mini Steam Iron for Craft and Travel Ideal for needlework, handicrafts and when travelling, this steam and dry iron has a unique, ergonomic rubber handle and a non-stick soleplate. Its other features include: • Mini Steam Iron removes wrinkles from almost any fabric • 1.4oz (40 millilitres) water tank • Heats up quickly in 30 seconds • Variable temperature settings • Non-stick soleplate • 1-touch steam control • Measures 13.4 x 7.6 x 7.6cm • 1 year manufacturing warranty For more information and stockists, visit www.birchhaby.com.au Eclipse Hobby/ Sewing Centre Features a large 153cm ( 60.25”) wide table top and a 24cm (9.5”) side shelf that folds down when the space is not required. The piece also includes three fabric storage drawers and a large lower shelf for…

These pants had a hook and bar, but if it had a button and buttonhole, you would unpick from the BUTTON side around to the buttonhole, WITHOUT unpicking at the buttonhole area. In this case it is the hook area that is not unpicked. See photo 1. The bar will need to be moved. Use pliers to lift the hook on each end and release it from the fabric. Be careful not to do any major damage to the fabric. Stitch a zigzag over the original two puncture marks from the bar. The bar will be re-inserted into the new extension before completion of the alteration. If there are belt loops they will have to be unpicked, as the position of them will change when the extension is complete. There…

Australia and New Zealand Sewing Stitching and Handcraft Show 14 - 16 July 2017 Adelaide Showground Adelaide, SA Sewing Stitching and Handcraft Show is a three day event being held from 14th July to the 16th July 2017 at the Adelaide Showgrounds in Adelaide, Australia. This event showcases products like stitch, sewing, card making, embroidery, knitting, patchwork, quilting, scrap-booking, needlework, paper-craft, stamping, beading, and much more crafts in the Knitting & Stitching industry. For more information, visit www.adelaideshowground.com.au Auckland Festival of Quilts 3 – 5 November 2017 Auckland Netball Centre Auckland, NZ Hundreds of quilts made by the Auckland Quilt Guild members will be on display, in a judged competition. Come and see who won our most sought after prizes - Best in Show, and Best Amateur quilt with prizes…