06 Feb 2013 8 Comments
I’ve talked and praised blocks many times before. Blocks are the base of all garments and are normally made of 5 base pieces: a front bodice, a back bodice, a front skirt, a back skirt and a sleeve. Many dress patterns can be used as they are or modified into a basic block. Here I [...]
28 Jan 2013 No Comments
There is a certain moment in mid-February when everybody starts thinking about date night clothes. There is a certain sugar rush and a soft avalanche of pink-hued and love-flavoured garments, presents and deserts. One might not be so much into Valentine’s Day, but the garments sewists all over the world create to celebrate it are [...]
06 Jan 2013 4 Comments
This is another idea from ”Precision draping; a simple method for developing designing talent” by Nelle L. Weymouth. And it seems so easy to make also: just cut a (sort of) diamond shape above the bust, then slash and spread the remaining part of the bodice to create pleats. Then sew back together. I would work with a [...]
03 Jan 2013 10 Comments
Happy New Year! May 2013 bring you many new sewing ideas and lots of hours of sewing fun. One of the books I started the year with was “Precision draping; a simple method for developing designing talent” by Nelle L. Weymouth. Published in 1889, this is a lovely book; everything is so well explained and it [...]
10 Sep 2012 8 Comments
Since I got my hands of a copy of Helen Joseph Armstrong’s Patternmaking for Fashion Design I have the feeling learning to do the patterns I want to make is not that far away. I’ve said it before, but the book is great. Maybe you remember my Sewing Course: Lesson 2 in which I was showing [...]
01 Jul 2012 7 Comments
Why a basic bodice block? A basic bodice block that fits you like a glove is a precious pattern to have. This will be the starting point of many designs, from relaxed tank tops to dress up shirts and summer dresses. You can create a basic bodice from a close-fitting commercial blouse or dress pattern, [...]
03 Apr 2012 5 Comments
One of the skirts I want to make this spring summer is a flared cotton skirt that closes with buttons. It should have a fabric belt that can be tied in a bow and it should end just above the knees. And this is how I would make it: I would measure my waist (A), [...]
27 Mar 2012 1 Comment
I love sewing. I think you might too, since you’re reading this, so you know what I am talking about. I like inventing things, putting my ideas into practice, learning. What I don’t like, on the other hand, is shopping. Lucky you, some will say. Picky me, to be honest. Has this ever happened to [...]
14 Sep 2011 3 Comments
Seeing this sketches board from twenty-seven names makes me want one for myself. Maybe an entire collection, maybe just the exercise sketching, maybe for a fall-winter wardrobe. But it sure looks nice. Do you always sketch before creating a garment or just go with the flow?
16 Aug 2011 No Comments
Roy’s Jeans – Video by Self Edge from Self Edge on Vimeo. via nikkishell I
Hi, my name is Ina, I live in Barcelona and I write about sewing, garment design and pattern making
Sewing a Negroni Shirt – Collar Issues 
A Green Meringue Skirt 
On Sewing with a Time Limit and the Beautiful Sewers of the British Bee 
Thinking About: Yellow Trousers 
The Tails Spring Jacket: Finished 
