Personally I take the literal translation of couture as 'sewing' but haute couture is attention to detail and yes, spending time (lots of time) on hand sewing and finishing techniques. Judith and Sandy constantly add to the saved Highlights on the account too, particularly any one of the many worldwide challenges you might like to participate in, plus using some the dozens of hashtags unique to us will give you unlimited ideas for your own future projects. Mr Y was the lucky recipient of a few handmade garments too during 2020 when I made him another two Kwik Sew 3422 shirts, and not one but two Thread Theory Finlayson sweatshirts! There are many other ways you can honour or remember a friend or loved one in this way too by sewing articles like soft toys, cushions, patchwork quilts or rugs for example using garments that once belonged to them. Wherever you are and whatever the new year brings for all of us I’d like to thank so many of you for reading my posts, sending me lovely or encouraging messages.

I calculated that approximately 5 cms would be sufficient to take out of the length so first I drew a line at a right angle to the grainline, then a second line 5cms from the first. I’ve set up a separate page so you can access this to be able to listen to her inspiring SewOver50 guests every week. There is a bit of a knack to it and I tend to only use it on a busy print which will disguise any botched bits (yes really! The version you can see in the following two applications is a strip which I’ve folded in half lengthways first, the raw edges are matched and sewn. As well as the matching trainers and purse, I wore my gold party socks – I almost thought it was too matchy-matchy but then I realised I don’t care!I’ve have included another variation of binding on a hem to show you how it can be combined with other techniques to achieve a quality finish. One of my stranger tasks this year was to carry out a socially-distanced dress fitting on a doorstep! You can also see how I’ve created a chain link to anchor the lining to vent opening on the back of the skirt. I also refashioned a very old and redundant heavyweight cotton curtain into a Dawson coatigan by Thrifty Stitcher.

I’ve been an absolute fraud when it’s come to writing any Sew Over 50 blogs for ages and ages which I feel very guilty about. Whilst the challenge is intended to encourage us to get creative and inventive for the pleasure of it alone there were also prizes to be awarded so the post on August 8 th shared the generous sponsors for these. I was extremely fortunate in January to go on a cruise to the Caribbean so I made a couple of new things to fills ‘gaps’ but mostly I took old favourites…cue multiple photos of 3 versions of The Maker’s Atelier Holiday shirt on heavy rotation! Jen sees it as part of her creative process, to have the choice amongst her stash, to inspire her ideas for making.We sketched the a design a client wanted based on their description of photo reference, and then made a pattern for it. It holds the weight of the skirt, which is pretty heavy, and takes some of the strain off the zip as it’s such a fitted dress. I'm sure even tailors are debating what comprises bespoke techniques, what with padstitching machines and all! Eventually I made 10 sets, I believe they were headed to a maternity department in a London hospital. To me, a couture technique is one that is generally NOT often seen in manufactured RTW but IS used in custom made clothing, (as well as Haute Couture – which is also custom made.

Just one outworker made this style because she became so skilled at it, every ruffle was edged using a rolled-hem foot and it was then sandwiched between diagonal skirt panels. My first video is talking through some of the details of the dress I made for The Dressmakers’ Ball. Once I’ve finished cutting out it’s vital to transfer all notches and mark darts and a couple of pivot points so I use old-fashioned tailor’s tacks (obviously you can use a textile marker pen if you prefer, I often do but it’s a pale fabric and I didn’t want to risk any marks being left) It’s a habit of mine to keep all the pattern pieces attached by just a couple of pins to the fabric until I need it, so that I don’t them get muddled.There’s a chapter on sleeves and there are loads of details about tailored and non-tailored sleeves. Maria always has Sew Over 50 Thursdays too which feature guests from our community who share their sewing stories, techniques and inspiration so it is definitely worth having a listen while you’re sewing, or walking the dog! If you’re using a particularly fine fabric like chiffon you should stabilise the neck, and any other seams which could stretch, by hand-stitching very narrow cotton tape or ribbon over the seam line on the wrong side of the fabric.