Posts by lizhaywood
Breaking News! Liz does facebook at last!
Yes, it’s all true. I’ll admit I’m a slow mover when it comes to new ideas and technology. Here are just a few examples… We still own a VCR (with tapes), typewriter, walkman and Dymo machine. No mobile phone (although to be fair, we live in an area that doesn’t have coverage). I must have…
Read MoreBeautiful trims from old neckties
Do you have unworn neckties at your house? Too ugly or unfashionable to wear, fallen down at the back of the wardrobe? If you’re ever in need of a small amount of bias-cut fabric for binding, piping or trim, an old necktie could be the answer. Even an ugly necktie can make a beautiful trim.…
Read MoreWhat to wear to an author talk when you’re the author
Our wonderful library has booked me in for my very first author talk on Tuesday 5th September. As most of us do when planning an important occasion, I thought: I wonder what I’ll wear? Should I make something new or wear something I already have? I’ve come up with these criteria: Bright colour to stand…
Read MoreHow to sew an invisible zip (finally!)
Several people have asked me for a post on how to sew an invisible zip (although this might come too late for them), so here it is. Firstly, some notes: An invisible zip can be almost one of the last things sewn on a garment. Sew the zip in before you sew the rest of…
Read MoreMaking a Spectacle of Oneself
They said it would happen one day, and now it finally has. Yep, reading glasses. I’ve now reached That Age where I need glasses to sew and read. I can’t complain really; I’ve enjoyed superb eyesight my whole life. In my 20’s I could actually read the size number on machine needles. Since I turned…
Read MoreIntroducing The Dressmaker’s Companion
Dear Friends, I’m so excited I hardly know how to write this post. I’ve just finished writing a sewing book which I hope will be tremendously useful, outstandingly successful and a great blessing to anyone who sews clothes. The Dressmaker’s Companion is… “A comprehensive sewing reference you’ll refer to again and again for reliable, practical…
Read MoreLike or loathe it: Matching checks, stripes and junctions
A sign of a well-made garment is perfectly matched seam junctions, checks and stripes. I was reminded of this on the weekend as I dug out some checked fabric to make shirts. Cutting the checks is only half the job; they need to be matched when they’re sewn as well. …
Read MoreTime Capsule from the 1960’s
Recently I was given a gift of two bags and box containing fabric from a friend of our family, Will. The fabric had belonged to four women: Will’s mum, her two sisters and their mum. The fabric had been sitting in a caravan for years, untouched by mice or moths, and Will’s mum was having…
Read MoreFree pattern: Large beach bag
I know, it’s crazy: I don’t live anywhere near a beach and it’s wintertime. However, a beach bag this size is endlessly useful for things like swimming lessons (in an indoor pool right now), sleepovers, laundromat visits, taking parcels to the post office and taking fabric around to your mum’s. …
Read MoreMy ex-favourite skirt just became favourite again
Some time ago I went through a phase of using cotton fabric for skirt linings. I made three skirts this way: a dark brown corduroy skirt I wore for Me-Made-May, a long grey wool skirt also worn for Me-Made-May and a red corduroy Clothkits skirt. I thought a cotton lining would make the skirts warmer…
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