| Subject | Date Asked |
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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! ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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, ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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. ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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. ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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. ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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