resources

if you are anything like me, you are often scrambling to look something up, figure out a technique, or just find information. and the internet is priceless for that kind of hunt. i wanted to highlight some of the things that have given me ideas or help when i was looking for it, in addition to just linking them from posts.  buttonholes, shopping, tailoring, padstitching, or whatever–i often need help on all of it!

vintage patterns

• The Vintage Pattern Primer, by NewVintageLady
• The Vintage Pattern Primer, by casey’s elegant musings
• Using Unprinted Patterns, by Gertie
• Vintage Pattern Pricing, by Gertie
• Resources for 1930s and 1940s Patterns, by Debi

sewing machines

• PatternReview. i’ve had hit-or-miss experiences on PatternReview but my simple FW post in the sewing machines forum got so many helpful, excited responses in such a short period of time that i was completely overwhelmed! in fact, most of these suggestions are straight from the PR sewing machines forum.
• Featherweight RX. Dave McCallum has a book and a DVD on using and servicing a FW. i haven’t committed yet, but i’m leaning seriously toward buying this series.
• The Featherweight Factory. i’ve been particularly encouraged to check out the “question of the week” section.
• A Spa Date for Your Featherweight. PR user JillyBe has a lovely, thorough and humorous post on her blog about cleaning and servicing her FW.
• Graham Forsdyke’s Singer Featherweights site. slightly overwhelming, full of history and information. he seems to sell them, as well!
• April 1930s Sewing Shoppe. more about parts and machines for sale than actual information, but well-designed with loads of things to look at.
• MPB’s Featherweight posts. Peter at MPB seems to prefer other machines over his FW, but his love for vintage machines is unmistakable.
• Spare Time (For Sewing) also has a lovely collection of posts about her vintage sewing machines, including her FW.
• Five Things to Remember When Buying a Sewing Machine, at the Coletterie
• The Joy of Vintage Sewing Machines, at BurdaStyle (and by Peter)

tailoring

• Padstitching at Ann’s Fashion Studio
• Padstitching and collar shaping in the Lady Gray Sew-Along at Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing
• Gigi uses a blind hemmer to do her padstitching by machine
• Padstitching video at the Made by Hand blog
• The Great Coat Sew-Along
• The Lady Gray Sew-Along
• The RTW Tailoring Sew-Along
• The Collected Coat Vlogs from Gertie again
• The New Vintage Lady makes a tailored jacket in one week

embroidery

• Stitch School
• Sublime Stitching (including Transfer Techniques)
• Stitch dictionary at Needlecrafter
• Vintage Pattern Pool at Flickr
• Vintage Transfer Finds
• Antique Pattern Library
• Overview of Vintage Embroidery Patterns
• Preserving Vintage Embroidery Patterns
• Cute, Retro and Authentic Embroidery Designs at Craftster

Videos:

• Threads Video: Manuel’s Free-Motion Embroidery Technique
• Talented Featherweight at YouTube

Other sewists using embroidery:

• Casey’s Elegant Musings
• Sore Fingers: towels with adorable vintage naval themes
• A Bee in My Bonnet: circle skirt with bee motifs
• Dash Away the Winter Blues with Embroidery: thrift store sweater refashion
• Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing
• Animals That Say Hi
• Beading Work in Progress
• The Sew Weekly
• The “That’s Good Enough” Top: Colette Patterns Crepe with embroidered embellishment
• The “Not on My Watch” Outfit: Butterick 8848 with embroidered motif
• The “Little Houses” Shirt: Simplicity 8399 with embroidered hem
• Grosgrain
• Monogrammed Cardi
• Kate Spade Cardigan

beltmaking

• Beltmaking 101, by casey’s elegant musings
• Beltmaking School from A Fashionable Stitch:
• Buckles
• Belting
• Eyelets and Snaps
• Toolkit
• Pat’s Custom Buttons and Belts

techniques

• gussets, by Summerset
• bound buttonholes
• hand-worked buttonholes, at A Fashionable Stitch
• seam finishes
• making a muslin, by Marina
• using a sloper, by Karen Howland (Threads Magazine)
• quilting a garment (french cardigan jackets), by Marina
• adding a skirt vent
• horsehair-braid hem, by Gertie
• adding scallops to a garment, by Sherry or Casey
• using boning in a garment, by Susan Khalje (Threads Magazine)
• using boning in a bodice, by Gertie
• sewing a princess seam, by Kenneth King (Threads Magazine)

my library

sometimes, though, you just need a book.  some of my favorites:
(none of these links generate any income for me…i’m just sharing some thoughts)

• Fit for Real People
• Fast Fit
• Professional Sewing Techniques for Designers
• Pattern Drafting for Fashion Design
• Bridal Couture
• Tailoring:  The Classic Guide to Sewing the Perfect Jacket
• Shirtmaking
• The Tailored Jacket
• Jackets for Real People
• The Dressmaker’s Handbook of Couture Sewing Techniques