| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
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| hemming | 11/20/2009 | Jennifer Thoden |
Q: I want to make a receiving blanket for my first great-grandchild (a boy) I will be doing the ...
A: To fold the corners, fold the corner in at 45 degree angle. The tip of the corner will lay on the ...
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| letting out princess seams | 11/19/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I purchased a strapless black satin gown at a resale shop to wear to a Christmas "Hollywood Glam" ...
A: Since you are not concerned about the finished appearance, I think it would be fine to add your ...
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| Fabric repair/patching | 11/18/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: My name is Susan and I need help. I was cutting out the pieces for a dress for my Mom and I ...
A: Hopefully the print is very busy so that your repair will not show! You probably have some light ...
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| Fabric repair/patching | 11/18/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: My name is Susan and I need help. I was cutting out the pieces for a dress for my Mom and I ...
A: I need a bit more information in order to answer your question. Where did you cut the slice out? ...
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| fabric needed | 11/13/2009 | Jennifer Thoden |
Q: i want to make a comforter that when finished will be 60x80 inches; how much fabric do i need to ...
A: Assuming your fabric will be about 54" wide, you will need to piece together 2 widths of fabric to ...
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| Tailored twin bedskirt with split corners | 11/13/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
Q: I want to make a split corner tailored bedskirt for an unusual bed. As you can see from the photo ...
A: Mother Barbara, 1. I prefer all of my bed skirts, I don't like the ready-made look and it they ...
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| Making Roman Shades | 11/12/2009 | Jennifer Thoden |
Q: I am making a Roman shade for my window (54.5" wide X 51" long). I am using a silk taffeta that has ...
A: I understand your dilemma. I think that the fact that you have a wide shade is what's causing the ...
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| Heming a receiving blanket | 11/10/2009 | Jenna McAuliffe |
Q: I'm just learning how to sew and would like to make my daughter a receiving blanket for her first ...
A: Congratulations on the expected wee one! You will get a better finish hand sewing your hem rather ...
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| Drapery header | 11/10/2009 | Karen Erickson |
Q: I will be making an 81 inch one piece lined drape to replace an existing one on a ceiling height ...
A: If I were making this I would use a ripple fold track with a snap on tape. This is sewn onto a flap ...
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| Drapery header | 11/10/2009 | Karen Erickson |
Q: I will be making an 81 inch one piece lined drape to replace an existing one on a ceiling height ...
A: I hope I can help. The best stablizer would be buckram here is the definition: ...
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| mens pants | 11/9/2009 | Jenna McAuliffe |
Q: I am having some issues with mens dress pants (not jeans or dockers), i can never seem to buy the ...
A: Simple answer... yep, take the 38 back, exchange them for a size which fits in the crotch and get ...
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| Sheer curtains | 11/9/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
Q: I have to shorten by 10 inches some very expensive decorative polyester sheer window panels. I have ...
A: Personally, I send my sheer draperies out to another workroom and I have been sewing draperies for ...
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| Zippers | 11/7/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: Can you give me tips on replacing winter coat/ ski jacket zippers along with backpack zippers? Also, ...
A: The following site has a multitude of different zippers. ...
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| bathtub valance on wood or styrofoam | 11/5/2009 | Karen Erickson |
Q: I've seen valances over bathtubs--usually mounted quite high (near the ceiling). They were either on ...
A: Sorry for the delay as I have been teaching in Minneapolis and now I am in Chicago. I know of ...
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| singer stylist 533 | 11/5/2009 | Jennifer Thoden |
Q: i have this machine which i given as a shower gift from my grandmother in 1977. it was a wonderful ...
A: Don't throw it away! Those machines are like tanks and will run forever if you keep them up. I ...
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| Altering lined slacks | 11/4/2009 | Jenna McAuliffe |
Q: I have lost approximately 30 lbs and cannot afford to replace my wardrobe (from a size 12-14 to a ...
A: Congratulations on your weight loss! As a general rule yes, you would separate the lining from the ...
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| alterations | 11/4/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I need to alter a pair of jeans for my mom. They need to be one size smaller. She has lost weight ...
A: For a one size difference, you could either take up 1/4 inch on each seam or 1/2 inch at either ...
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| lining draperies | 11/2/2009 | Karen Erickson |
Q: The window is 99 x 45. They will be hung on a 1" diameter rod with tabs at the top. How do I line ...
A: Great to hear back from you. The lining is cut shorter than the decorator fabric. With the lining ...
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| attaching lace to a veil | 10/28/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I am making a veil for my friends wedding. I made all my daughter's veils but this one has lace ...
A: To me, a wedding veil is something that very well might become an heirloom. Which means it could ...
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| CORSET BACK BRIDAL DRESS | 10/25/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I found a post of yours going back to 2008 regarding a lace up back that you were putting into your ...
A: but I was not the one working on the dress. Another reader had written to me for advice on the ...
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| lining draperies | 10/24/2009 | Karen Erickson |
Q: The window is 99 x 45. They will be hung on a 1" diameter rod with tabs at the top. How do I line ...
A: I am not sure exactly what you are asking regarding this question. I would like to help very much. ...
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| beginner sewer..maybe?? | 10/21/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I want to learn to so desperately, but unlike yours, my family members were more into knitting, ...
A: I agree with you that buying an inexpensive portable machine would be beneficial. You can find a ...
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| Singer 774 that hasn't been used | 10/21/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I have a Singer 774 machine that was my grandmothers that I got recently. It hasn't been used in ...
A: Since it has been in the cabinet for over 15 years, I would just clean and oil. If you have the ...
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| pillows and cording | 10/21/2009 | Karen Erickson |
Q: My Bernina sewing machine can't handle the thickness of sewing shirred piping to decorative pillows. ...
A: Sorry I have been in Kansas teaching at the Original Sewing Expo... If you cannot get this under ...
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| sewing w/ lace | 10/19/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I ahve been sewing 20+ years, but not much w/ special occassion fabric. I am making a dress in ...
A: I would layer the fabrics together, baste around the edges and sew as one. My reason being I ...
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| invisible zipper | 10/19/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I have finished a McCall mermaid costume except for the zipper the costume bodice is lined and it ...
A: First, before I answer, I will tell you, I HATE invisible zippers! Basically, because you do need ...
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| removing crease from lengthened drapes | 10/18/2009 | Karen Erickson |
Q: I need to let the hem down in some drapes to fit the windows better. There are no tags on them, but ...
A: Good morning.... Hope I can help. Without testing the fabric, you don't know what it is going to ...
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| pillows and cording | 10/15/2009 | Karen Erickson |
Q: My Bernina sewing machine can't handle the thickness of sewing shirred piping to decorative pillows. ...
A: Wow I hope I can help. We are here to help not only those who want to sew for their home, but also ...
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| wool coat heming | 10/15/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I have been sewing for almost 60 years & should know the best stitching to use for a heavy wool ...
A: I would use a catch stitch to hem a heavy wool coat. It is a matter of personal preference how ...
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| Card Table Cover | 10/15/2009 | Karen Erickson |
Q: I want to make a card table cover for a table that is 33 1/2 inches square. How do I miter the ...
A: I hope I can help.... You have not explained what you have done or are trying to do so, I have my ...
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| Less puff? | 10/12/2009 | Jenna McAuliffe |
Q: I have a wedding dress that has the shape as this dress listed: ...
A: It is relatively easy to reduce the puff in that style of dress. You can either simply reduce the ...
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| Wedding dress alterations | 10/12/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I just bought a second hand wedding dress as attached, however the dress is a perfect length ...
A: This is a beautiful dress. Congratulations on a great second hand purchase and on your coming ...
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| invisible zipper with sheer overlay | 10/8/2009 | Jenna McAuliffe |
Q: I am making a wedding dress for my niece(simplicity 3502) and I am stuck on how to use an invisible ...
A: The sheer overlay should be ept out of the zipper except in the bodice and waistband. In the bodice ...
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| heming | 10/8/2009 | Jenna McAuliffe |
Q: I'M HEMING A DRESS WITH A SLIT ON THE BACK HOW DO I RAISE THE HEM AND STILL PUT THE SLIT BACK OR CAN ...
A: Raising the split on your skirt depends on how it is done in the first place. If the split is a ...
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| Tiered Skirts? | 10/6/2009 | Jenna McAuliffe |
Q: Jenna I was wondering if you could give me some tips on the geometry of a tiered skirt, especially ...
A: There is not really any set formula for the length of your layers - really it's a matter of what you ...
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| Altering crotch of ladies pants | 10/3/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I have a pair of pants that the crotch is too long. The pants have an elastic waste band. How do I ...
A: You can take up the crotch seam. Put the pants on wrong side out and pin up the crotch seam enough ...
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| basement windows | 10/3/2009 | Jennifer Thoden |
Q: I want to make window treatments for two basement windows. Each window is in an 5.5ft. alcove. ...
A: I see your design dilemma! I would install a dust board from wall to wall. A dust board is a 1" x ...
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| drapery/grommets | 10/3/2009 | Karen Erickson |
Q: What is a good source for grommets that will reliably stay in place? I am making draperies for a ...
A: Sorry for the delay. I have been on the road teaching and am in my office for 2 days and then off ...
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| Work Pants/Slacks | 10/2/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I am in the process of altering all of my work pants/slacks instead of buying all new ones. I'm a ...
A: 1. No, you do not need to remove the hem before altering. After you have taken the pants up, check ...
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| Needle v. thread | 10/1/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I just got the Singer Simple 2263. I initially had issues with very loose bobbin winding but the ...
A: It sounds as if the thread is getting caught somewhere before getting to the tension disk and lever ...
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