JUNE 2024

Sewing Inspiration

Recently, I was sitting in a doctor's office waiting room and had a chance to look through issues of both Vogue and W fashion magazines. I was reminded of the time when I looked to those magazines and others for my sewing inspiration. What were the latest trends from Paris runways? Colors? Styles? Silhouettes?

Way back as early as my college days, I would shop ready-to-wear for details or easy pattern design changes I could make in my sewn garments. Later, my trips to New York were always a source of ideas culled from our shopping forays to Sak's Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, and numerous designer shops.
The American Sewing Guild (ASG) blog just featured an article about using catalogs as inspiration for details one can add to their garments. Clever embellishment ideas abound and I, too, had a file of clippings from catalogs.

Today, the latest trends may not be as important, our shopping is done online and the clippings are likely on a Pinterest board. You may get information on the latest popular independent patterns by email from your favorite fabric stores, by a monthly subscription to a pattern company like Closet Core or Cashmerette, or by following someone on Instagram. There is plenty of sewing inspiration out there for all of us!

When I make time to sew for myself, between my classes and custom client projects, I go for simple design lines, quality fabrics, interesting, eye-catching details and above all, great fit. That's why I often begin with a tried and true pattern for a t-shirt, button down shirt or simple jacket. I know the fit is already there and I can play with the design and details, which I really enjoy. These three jackets, all made from my same basic pattern, show very different looks.
If you want the design work already done for you, there is no shortage of patterns out there. I just finished a workshop with 7 students who fit patterns from at least a dozen different pattern companies. Pictured here are a tunic from Sewing Workshop, a Closet Core T-shirt with v-neck variation, a Butterick blouse and a Vogue jacket. Our challenges started with figuring out sizing from a variety of measurement charts. Pattern adjustments for fit were made in paper and tweaked in fabric. We deciphered pattern instructions and used alternate techniques for necklines, pockets, edge finishes and hems.
That's where my 40 years of experience as a custom clothier come in. Join me for a Sewing Camp or workshop and you'll get help with fitting those patterns, tips and tricks to make the sewing go smoothly, lessons on simple design variations, and the camaraderie of fellow sewing enthusiasts. There are a few spaces left in my Summer Sewing Camps. And, by popular demand, another Fall Sewing Camp has just been added.

A recent Threads magazine Instagram post asked followers to fill in the blank of this statement: The garment I've always wanted to sew but haven't tackled yet is...

A great many answered: a coat or tailored jacket

I understand the trepidation and fear and I'm here to help! As a custom clothier, I venture to say I have made hundreds of tailored jackets and coats for clients and for myself over the years. I love working with a lovely piece of wool, using fusible interfacings to help shape it into beautiful collars and lapels, setting in pucker-free sleeves, adding welt pockets, bound buttonholes, silky linings and hemming to perfection.
Join me in September for a 5-day Tailoring workshop where I can help you create that lovely jacket or coat you've always wanted to sew.

I'll soon be embarking on a coat adventure myself with an incredible fabric. More details to come in my next newsletter. In the meantime...


Happy sewing!