Rolled collars stand up at a certain height, then roll over onto the garment.  Examples of rolled collars are some shirt collars, shawl collars, and notched-tailored collars of jackets and coats. I used lightweight cotton for this sample and lightweight fusible interfacing. Constructing the collar Apply lightweight fusible interfacing to the wrong side of both collar pieces.   Pin the collar pieces right sides together and stitch across the outer edge, using 1 cm (⅜ in) seam allowance.  Press.   Trim and grade the seam allowance.   Press the seam allowanc ..read more

The sleeve should be cut with extra space to allow room for pleats or gathers.  Prepare the sleeve with a continuous bound cuff placket.  Add two pleats on the wrist line, facing in the same direction as the placket overlap.  Press.   Pin and stitch the underarm sleeve seam, right sides together.   Press.   Constructing a one-piece cuff Apply interfacing to the wrong side of the upper cuff section, extending 1 cm (⅜ in) above the foldline.   Fold the cuff in half along the foldline, right sides together.  Pin and stitch across each ..read more

Mark the placket opening on the back section of the sleeve.   Staystitch the marked seamline, using a shorter stitch on each side of the placket point.  Start at the bottom edge of the marked placket opening, 6 mm (¼ in) on each side of the centre.  Slash in the centre up to the point, without cutting the stitching line.   Cut binding from self-fabric 3 cm (1 ¼ in) wide and twice the length of the required placket opening.  Press under 6 mm along one long edge.   Spread the slashed opening and pin the right side of the unfolded edge of the binding ..read more

Hello Everyone! Animal print dresses are highly fashionable and trendy, and snake print is a great print to make a bold statement. I used Scuba knit for my dress.  It is my first dress made from this fabric and I have to say I love the feel of this fabric and the fit of the dress.   Scuba fabric is a double-knit fabric and is made up of Polyester and Spandex. It is a four-way stretch with a smooth, spongy texture. I pre-washed it and used a cool iron on all the seams. This fabric has some great characteristics. The edges do not fray, but overlocked edges always look more professio ..read more

Hello Everyone! A cowl neck dress or top is a great wardrobe staple. It is a style that flatters all body shapes. I used a four-way stretch Velvet for my dress and I love the final result. This dress is so soft, fleecy on the inside, and very comfortable to wear. I love the fact that there was no need for a zip, or all the other very time-consuming details such as darts, which generally give a dress shape. The fabric is quite weighty which makes it perfect for a cowl neckline.  The rich Burgundy colour will certainly brighten up a gloomy winter’s day. Velvet is such a classy fabric ..read more

Pleats are formed when the fabric is folded onto itself. It can be formed from either the right side or the wrong side of the fabric. The most commonly used pleats are the box pleat, knife pleat, and inverted pleat. Pleats may occur as a single pleat, as a cluster of pleats, or around an entire garment. Each pleat requires a foldline and a placement line. The pleat is folded along the fold line, and the foldline is then aligned with the placement line. The depth and width of a pleat depend on personal preference and the style of the garment. Box Pleats Box pleats are most often used in skirts ..read more

Hello Everyone! I am back and ready to sew up a storm when time allows.  I have just completed the Updating and Reprinting of my pattern drafting book and ebook which is now available and discounted on Amazon.   Since I had no time to sew, I opted to wear this dress which has not been worn before. Red goes well with many neutral tones such as beige, black, gold, and silver. It is also flattering and suits most skin tones. I love this silhouette and the dress is very comfortable to wear and would certainly be great to pack for a holiday. Have a great day! The post Red Cornel ..read more

Hello Everyone! The holiday season is upon us, and it is the perfect time to get all dressed up. I used Jacquard fabric for this dress and opted for a high front neckline and a low V-shaped back. I opted for a classic silhouette that can be worn year-round for any type of night out. Furthermore, I made inverted pleats on a circular skirt for a dramatic vintage look. The subtle sparkle of the gold floral design on the fabric adds some glamour to this understated dress style. That is it for now. I am taking a well-deserved break and will return in March 2021. The post Gold And Black Me ..read more

Hello Everyone! It was love at first sight when I saw this fabric. It was not because royal blue is my favorite colour, but also the crushed, wrinkly texture of the fabric. The fabric is lightweight and so cool and soft on the skin, which makes it the ideal fabric for those special summer occasions. Having a great dress or two in the closet can mean that you are prepared for any last-minute invitations. I love the neckline and the dress is very comfortable to wear. It is timeless and effortlessly chic, and that is all I need.   Have a great weekend! The post Slanted Neckline Crush ..read more

Hello Everyone! Animal prints dominated the fashion runways these past three years, and it looks like it is here to stay. I used Chiffon for my dress and opted for a classic silhouette. The dress is comfortable and very flattering. Animal print can be worn all year round and is perfect for any size and body type. It can be worn as a stand-alone clothing item, or in combination with other garments. Animal prints are timeless and certainly well worth investing in a piece or two. This dress is very versatile and can be worn on many occasions.  It is lightweight, breezy, and perfect ..read more