Marina has been on a baby-clothes kick lately. Check out this sweet romper she made!
She used New Look 6293 and cotton prints for this bright, summery, ruffled delight! That bow is just too cute!
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
Treadlette Tuesday: Baby Romper
It's Treadlette Tuesday, when we share projects, inspiration, and ideas for you from our lovely Treadle Yard Goods employees, The Treadlettes!
Marina has been on a baby-clothes kick lately. Check out this sweet romper she made!
Marina has been on a baby-clothes kick lately. Check out this sweet romper she made!
Friday, August 26, 2022
Friday Fun Fact: the History of Dress Forms
Today's Fun Fact comes from Treadlette Rebecca!
The dress form. Its true origins are lost in the ephemeral mists of time, but the idea of this sewing tool has existed for thousands of years- the earliest known form is the one found in King Tuts tomb- it matches his measurements and was probably used to display clothing for the King to choose from in the afterlife.
The Industrial Revolution marks the beginning of the modern dress form. as the department store model became popular, it created a need for standardized forms to display goods in the shop windows, and the increasing amount of ready to wear production fed the need as well.
As we all know by now, the creation of the standardized measurement model has led to millions of people finding no joy in a clothing size number, but since manufacturers have to start somewhere, that’s what we’ve got. For a good time read Simon Doonans excellent memoir, Confessions of a Window Dresser.
So, do you need a dress form? Not for general sewing - it's certainly helpful for marking hems, or to see fitting issues in 360 degrees. Definitely, if you want to try your hand at draping; you will need one that represents your body as it is.
Theaters have many dress forms in many sizes at their disposal, but still padding up a form in some way happens for almost every performer for whom a costume is made. The dial up adjusting kind is not helpful for this, (or indeed, anything else) as draping is best done on a firm unyielding form.
Aesthetically, dress forms are pleasing and a good antique one can stand in the corner of your sewing room, holding your collection of jewelry or in the corner of your attic to scare the pants off you when you go up there.
The dress form. Its true origins are lost in the ephemeral mists of time, but the idea of this sewing tool has existed for thousands of years- the earliest known form is the one found in King Tuts tomb- it matches his measurements and was probably used to display clothing for the King to choose from in the afterlife.
The Industrial Revolution marks the beginning of the modern dress form. as the department store model became popular, it created a need for standardized forms to display goods in the shop windows, and the increasing amount of ready to wear production fed the need as well.
As we all know by now, the creation of the standardized measurement model has led to millions of people finding no joy in a clothing size number, but since manufacturers have to start somewhere, that’s what we’ve got. For a good time read Simon Doonans excellent memoir, Confessions of a Window Dresser.
So, do you need a dress form? Not for general sewing - it's certainly helpful for marking hems, or to see fitting issues in 360 degrees. Definitely, if you want to try your hand at draping; you will need one that represents your body as it is.
Theaters have many dress forms in many sizes at their disposal, but still padding up a form in some way happens for almost every performer for whom a costume is made. The dial up adjusting kind is not helpful for this, (or indeed, anything else) as draping is best done on a firm unyielding form.
Aesthetically, dress forms are pleasing and a good antique one can stand in the corner of your sewing room, holding your collection of jewelry or in the corner of your attic to scare the pants off you when you go up there.
Source: blog.mannequinmadness.com/
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Treadlette Tuesday: Marina's Blouse
It's Treadlette Tuesday, when we share projects, inspiration, and ideas for you from our lovely Treadle Yard Goods employees, The Treadlettes!
Check out Marina's new Swiss dot blouse!
She used the Friday Patina pattern, which has an adorable collar and two neckline depth options.
Check out Marina's new Swiss dot blouse!
She used the Friday Patina pattern, which has an adorable collar and two neckline depth options.
Marina worked on the fit of this blouse with several mockups and a wearable test version. It was worth it - she says this is the first time a button-up blouse has fit her without gapping!
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Treadlette Tuesday: Grace's shorteralls
It's Treadlette Tuesday, when we share projects, inspiration, and ideas for you from our lovely Treadle Yard Goods employees, The Treadlettes!
There's still time for summer sewing!Our Grace made these Burnside Bibs as shorts, using our fantastic striped linen!
She wore them on a trip and got this great photo at a historical site. Thanks for sharing, Grace!
Need to make your own? Shop linen here!
Friday, August 12, 2022
Friday Fun Fact: clip and notch your curves
You've probably read pattern directions telling you to clip and notch curves. Let's dig a little deeper into that!
Most pattern directions will tell you to clip inside curves: For a curved edge that's concave, make little snips with the tip of your scissor.
Turn your piece to the right side and press for a lovely, lump-free finish!
Most pattern directions will tell you to clip inside curves: For a curved edge that's concave, make little snips with the tip of your scissor.
You're NOT removing any fabric, just snipping! This is necessary to help the seam allowance release - otherwise you'd never be able to get the curve flat.
Press that edge smooth with an iron and steam for a lovely inside curve that lays down flat!
Press that edge smooth with an iron and steam for a lovely inside curve that lays down flat!
Curves that bend outward get a different treatment. Always notch outside curves: For a convex (outside) curve, snip narrow triangles at the seam allowance, removing little bits of fabric to reduce bulk.
This gives the seam allowances space to nestle together without making any bulky overlap.
Another approach to outside curves is to trim the entire seam allowance to 1/8". This reduces bulk with less fuss and can create smoother edges.
Another approach to outside curves is to trim the entire seam allowance to 1/8". This reduces bulk with less fuss and can create smoother edges.
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Treadlette Tuesday: Rebecca's Sun and Sea quilt
It's Treadlette Tuesday, when we share projects, inspiration, and ideas for you from our lovely Treadle Yard Goods employees, The Treadlettes!
Check out Rebecca's latest quilt! She used this gorgeous sun and sea panel print and the coordinating fabrics to make the perfect top, then had our dear Nanette Sutherland quilt it for her.*
Shop these amazing new fabrics here!
* Want Nanette to quilt for you? You can drop off your quilt for her right at Treadle!
Friday, August 5, 2022
Friday Fun Fact: Clipping Corners
A few weeks ago, we talked about Grading Seams (<-- click the link to read it!) but there are SO many other things we have to do to our enclosed seam allowances.
Here's how to clip your corners to reduce bulk in the best way!
First, cut off the corner. Cut close to the stitching, but not too close! 1/8" should be plenty.
Next, make two swoop cuts - curve in to get rid of more bulk along the sides of the corner.
It should look like this!
Use a point turning tool to gently (GENTLY!) poke the corners out. We're emphasizing the gentle because you can rip through the corner if you push too hard!
The last step is to give your corner a good press with your iron. Then marvel at its beauty!
Here's how to clip your corners to reduce bulk in the best way!
Okay, so you've sewn a corner, perhaps on a collar, cuff, or patch pocket.
Use a point turning tool to gently (GENTLY!) poke the corners out. We're emphasizing the gentle because you can rip through the corner if you push too hard!
The last step is to give your corner a good press with your iron. Then marvel at its beauty!
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Treadlette Tuesday: Laura's vest
It's Treadlette Tuesday, when we share projects, inspiration, and ideas for you from our lovely Treadle Yard Goods employees, The Treadlettes!
Laura made this dapper linen vest for her husband using a natty linen check fabric.
A gorgeous welt pocket is a classic detail.
The back strap with buckle customizes the fit.
Laura used a contrast lining that just peeks out at the edges for an extra fun detail.
Laura used an out-of-print Vogue pattern, but she suggests Vogue 8987 as a current alternative.
Want to make your own? Shop linen here!