You are here:
Sewing/Questions Answered by Expert Jenna McAuliffe
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Cravat and Ties need | 11/12/2011 |
| Q: I need luxury <a ... A: I'm sorry, I don't understand yourDo you need to sew a cravat and tie or to buy them? If you are ... | |
| Pants | 1/4/2011 |
| Q: I am a bus driver and we are issued new uniform pants every year. I have lost weight recently and ... A: First, congratulations on your weight loss! The seamstress should be able to do whatever you ask her ... | |
| upholstery question | 6/18/2010 |
| Q: Jenna, My question involves the reattachment of the buttons to an outdoor lounger. Where can I get ... A: I can't answer your question specifically, as I live in New Zealand and our stores are different ... | |
| strapless dress | 5/24/2010 |
| Q: I am 5'3 and small chested. I wear a 36 A bra, although, I should wear a smaller one. I can't wear ... A: Sorry for the delayed reply - I just returned from a holiday and found my vacation settings were ... | |
| Lenthen a wedding dress | 3/29/2010 |
| Q: I Bought the dress of my dreams but it is a little short with the full skirt under (off the rack). ... A: So sorry for the delayed reply - surprise houseguests before the Easter break have kept me away from ... | |
| Lengthen wedding dress | 3/20/2010 |
| Q: I custom ordered my wedding dress and it was made too short! And I am only 5'1" so I want to wear ... A: First, don't panic! Unfortunately, adding a band under the bust on this style would not be a good ... | |
| Lengthen a wedding dress | 3/3/2010 |
| Q: I have fallen in love with a wedding dress that is unfortunately a couple inches too short for me. ... A: Wow what a gorgeous wedding dress! I can easily understand why you have fallen in love with it! To ... | |
| How deep of hem on silk panel drapes | 2/26/2010 |
| Q: I hope you can let me know. I am making silk panel drapes to be hung with rings. I am lining and ... A: There's really no hard and fast rule about how deep to make the hems on your drapes, it depends on ... | |
| Shortening a sweater | 2/16/2010 |
| Q: Jenna. I received a machine-knitted sweater for Christmas. I love the color and texture, but the ... A: Sorry for my delay in replying - I managed to completely kill my computer! Yes, this will work if ... | |
| window seat cushions | 2/15/2010 |
| Q: I'm just apholstering some window seat cushions i.e. a foam rhombus like foam pad with fabric cover. ... A: There's no hard and fast rule about how much smaller to make the covers, but youre right, they do ... | |
| Shortening a sweater | 2/13/2010 |
| Q: Jenna. I received a machine-knitted sweater for Christmas. I love the color and texture, but the ... A: There are 2 ways to shorten your sweater and neither are difficult, though one takes longer but ... | |
| Enlarge a Barbie doll pattern to adult size | 12/3/2009 |
| Q: I have several patterns for Barbie and Ken and want to know if it is possible to enlarge them to fit ... A: Simply put, no it isn't possible. Grading a pattern that far will lose all accuracy in shape and ... | |
| Heming a receiving blanket | 11/10/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| mens pants | 11/9/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Altering lined slacks | 11/4/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Less puff? | 10/12/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| invisible zipper with sheer overlay | 10/8/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| heming | 10/8/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Tiered Skirts? | 10/6/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Wedding Dress alteration | 9/30/2009 |
| Q: I recently bought a wedding dress online...the dress was my size and since it was cheap, i just went ... A: The links you gave me didn't show the images on the website, but I had a good look and got a pretty ... | |
| altering a long skirt pattern | 8/11/2009 |
| Q: I have McCall's pattern #3436 with a slightly a-line long skirt. I would like to shorten the ... A: To shorten that skirt, all you need to do is take the required amount off the pattern evenly along ... | |
| shortening women's pants | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: How much material should be left inside women's pants when shortening them? A: To a point, the hem allowance in pants is a matter of personal taste. The standard amount is ... | |
| zipper in tulle overskirt | 8/4/2009 |
| Q: I am about to make my future daughter in law's wedding dress. It will have 2 layers of fine tulle ... A: I have great news - the answer is the easy way out.... don't attach the tulle to the zipper at all! ... | |
| Help with a white full circle skirt for dance | 7/28/2009 |
| Q: I hope that this cry for help finds you well :) I am new to sewing and I am looking for a pattern ... A: I'm very well thank you, and hope you are too! Being new to sewing, a simple dance skirt like the ... | |
| arm holes on dress | 7/21/2009 |
| Q: I bought my daughter a junior bridesmaid dress size 7/8 (BIG sale) she is a size 10...Well the dress ... A: Without seeing the dress it is hard to give you a definitive answer, but from your description it ... | |
| What clothing cut/ fabric/ detail require tailoring | 5/23/2009 |
| Q: I am going to have my wardrobe tailored as I have to mingle with the rich snob and they look down on ... A: Any garment can be mass-made or individually created and/or tailored. A simple skirt for example, ... | |
| Ballroom Dancing Gown | 5/18/2009 |
| Q: Do you know of anyone in the industry who will cutom make a ballroom dancing dress, I have been ... A: You know, I really wish I could be more help but I did some searching too, and came up empty. The ... | |
| Wedding dress alterations | 5/14/2009 |
| Q: My wedding is in 6 weeks, and my dress needs to be let out. Everyone I have talked to claims it ... A: The hard fact about your dress is that it will be extremely difficult to let out, and the alteration ... | |
| hemming | 5/8/2009 |
| Q: I am in a pickle! My daughter has decided that I an to hem her prom dress. It is made of silk with ... A: Stitch Witchery and similar products can be a great tool but only on the right dress If your ... | |
| alter slacks | 4/4/2009 |
| Q: I have 6 pr. new, good quality slacks Size 22-24--all were "just a little snug" when I bought them, ... A: Firstly, Congratulations on your weight loss! That is a wonderful achievement and I am so proud of ... | |
| Cutting and Sewing Slippery Fabrics | 4/2/2009 |
| Q: My daughter is having trouble cutting out a skirt from georgette fabric as it keeps slipping about. ... A: I have a great tip for you and your daughter, to stop the fabric from moving around so much! Lay ... | |
| Sewing vinyl | 3/2/2009 |
| Q: ....... Boat we just bought has several vinyl covered cushions where the seams are pulling apart. ... A: How great to hear that you loved New Zealand - the weather here is just spectacular right now - I ... | |
| Polar Fleece Accident | 2/28/2009 |
| Q: I accidentally iron on a polar fleece jacket. the mark isnt too bad, its not burnt but you can see ... A: Unfortunately it is possible that you cannot remove the burn mark from your jacket. I do have a ... | |
| Waistband Sewing | 2/13/2009 |
| Q: i make custom boxing trunks for pro boxers and i was wondering if you could tell me what would be ... A: I remember you asking a question previously regarding the boxing trunks, I hope things are ... | |
| Drapery buckram | 2/11/2009 |
| Q: Do they still make buckram with the marks where to put the pleats? Or is it made in such a way that ... A: I may be at a bit of a disadvantage here as I live in New Zealand - a smaller market - but I have ... | |
| silk drapes | 2/8/2009 |
| Q: I just bought some silk curtains at a sale price. I like the look of them very much. Problem, ... A: As far as "can you" lengthen them, then absolutely yes you can! I wouldn't recommend using a sticky ... | |
| sewing felted wool | 1/22/2009 |
| Q: I am a sewing novice and am trying to make mittens out of recycled wool sweaters. I have a very ... A: The reason the threads are bunching up is that you're not using the presser foot. No matter what ... | |
| pattern alteration | 1/13/2009 |
| Q: good morning, hope you can help me out. I am making a pattern, using eyelet white scalloped ... A: It is indeed perfectly ok for you to fully line the dress, in fact I highly recommend it! In ... | |
| traversing draperies flare out | 1/4/2009 |
| Q: I had center split traversing draperies made 114" Length. The fabric is a medium weight woven ... A: From what you describe you have two separate issues and fortunately, both are fairly easily fixed. ... | |
| Jean size | 1/3/2009 |
| Q: I have a pair of jeans that I absolutely LOVE, however they are about a 31" waist and I need about a ... A: Yes it is theoretically possible to increase the waist size in jeans, but it is a complicated ... | |
| sewing pants | 1/3/2009 |
| Q: what is the real definition or related meaning of sewing pants A: Hmm - real definition? Well that depends on how serious your question really is doesn't it! Let me ... | |
| repairing dupioni silk drapes | 12/27/2008 |
| Q: I have some dupioni silk drapes that have some horizontal "runs" in them. Is there any way that I ... A: :) Unfortunately it sounds as though your drapes are on their way out. Silk is a gorgeous fabric ... | |
| repairing dupioni silk drapes | 12/26/2008 |
| Q: I have some dupioni silk drapes that have some horizontal "runs" in them. Is there any way that I ... A: I'm not sure what you mean by "runs" as dupioni silk is a woven fabric and not a knitted one, so ... | |
| Men's suit coat sleeve alterations | 12/18/2008 |
| Q: I too have been sewing for well over 30 years - I used to have my own alterations business - but I ... A: The fit of the jacket after alteration could be due to a few different things, and without seeing ... | |
| altering pants | 12/5/2008 |
| Q: I need to know if it is possible to alter a pair of pleated front pants into a flat front pant. ... A: Yes it is possible to sew out the pleating, depending on the amount there is. If there's only one ... | |
| altering store bought stretch jeans | 11/23/2008 |
| Q: I have jeans that need to be taken in from the waist,hips and legs, can you help me? ANSWER: Hi ... A: Ah ok, most jeans have the topstitched seam on the inner leg rather than the outer, but no problem. ... | |
| tension | 11/23/2008 |
| Q: What number should the tension be on? A: The number to put the tension on really depends on what machine you have, what fabric and thread ... | |
| altering store bought stretch jeans | 11/22/2008 |
| Q: I have jeans that need to be taken in from the waist,hips and legs, can you help me? A: Basically, you need to remove most of the waistband first. This can be a mission and a half in ... | |
| Ballroom dance gowns | 11/3/2008 |
| Q: I need to know what makes the edges of the float curl. I know some people put fishing line in the ... A: You're right, fishing line in the hem helps it to hold that curl while keeping it light and ... | |
| scrub top neck | 10/26/2008 |
| Q: Do you have any hints on how to sew the v-neck on a scrub top? I've been sewing for many years but ... A: Not having that particular McCalls pattern myself makes it a little difficult to answer your ... | |
| sewing | 10/13/2008 |
| Q: what is "tension" in sewing? A: Tension in sewing refers to the tightness of the thread or threads you are sewing with. In hand ... | |
| Fringing a jacket | 10/6/2008 |
| Q: I have some fabric that ravels and I want to fringe the collar, sleeve bottom and the bottom of the ... A: Considering the fabric you have is appropriate for fringing, then the process is pretty easy. There ... | |
| Elastic waist | 9/18/2008 |
| Q: I have a pair of shorts with a full elastic waist band. How can I take the elastic in so they will ... A: Ah an elastic waistband - the good news is that there's the easy way, and the really easy way! Which ... | |
| Waistband alteration | 9/12/2008 |
| Q: My daughter's jeans are tight in the waist but fit everywhere else. How can I let out the waistband ... A: First, apologies for my delay in answering, seems I have inbox issues! Now the waistband. ... | |
| Horse & jockey pattern | 9/2/2008 |
| Q: This is an all in one costume for one person. the horse bit sits around the middle of the person ... A: great to hear from a fellow kiwi! I've been thinking about your costume and did a little research ... | |
| horse & jockey pattern | 9/2/2008 |
| Q: This is an all in one costume for one person. the horse bit sits around the middle of the person ... A: great to hear from a fellow kiwi! I've been thinking about your costume and did a little research ... | |
| lining an A line sleeveless dress | 9/2/2008 |
| Q: I have attempted to fully line an A Line sleeveless pinafore, have sewn around the neckline, ... A: The lining won't turn in the right way with the neck and armholes stitched - it's all a big jigsaw ... | |
| thread catches | 9/1/2008 |
| Q: the thread catches underneat the plate after a couple stitches, the needle is hard to pull back up ... A: There are a few things which could cause the thread to catch where it is. The first thing to do ... | |
| Boxing Trunks | 8/30/2008 |
| Q: Im starting my own business and im trying to make boxing trunks for a few boxers i know and ... A: Wow ambition - great to see! I've had a look for boxing trunk patterns as well, with no luck. Best ... | |
| dress hem | 8/22/2008 |
| Q: how on earth do i make this kind of hem? A: Wow that's some dress!! Don't be phased, the hem isn't as scary as it looks. What you have here is ... | |
| enlarging jacket pattern | 8/18/2008 |
| Q: I have vogue pattern 2651 in size 16 - I need to enlarge to sz 20 the left front and back as well as ... A: As far as enlarging a multi sized pattern like this goes, it is relatively easy - as long as you can ... | |
| Using lace as an overlay for a blouse | 8/18/2008 |
| Q: I would like to make a strapless top with an overlay of lace to wear during the holidays. My ... A: Either way would be fine, it depends on the look you're trying to achieve and the lace itself. If ... | |
| wedding dress/lining and zipper | 8/17/2008 |
| Q: I am making my daughter's wedding dress,it is dupioni silk w/an underlining,and the same dupioni ... A: I'm not sure about the style of your daughter's dress, but as far as the zipper goes, as long as the ... | |
Sewing
Answers by Expert:
Jenna McAuliffe
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer most questions about sewing, altering or repairing clothes or home furnishings, drapes, roman blinds, crafts, pattern alteration... the list goes on!
Experience
My mother started me sewing when I was 4 and I’ve never stopped! I trained as a fashion designer 15 years ago and have been specializing in weddings since then, along with a side business in making drapes, blinds and home furnishings for commercial contracts. I also participate in just about every kind of craft I can find.
Education/Credentials
Bfa.fashion and a whole lifetime of figuring it out!
Awards and Honors
First in class at graduation, first in tailoring. Finalist in NZ Smokefree awards 1998
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.