This Saturday I will be at a wedding and will not be there to open up the shop- but I will be there and open this afternoon to make it up to you, 589 Markham Street.

Pictured above is me at my wedding 3 years ago this week- I made my own dress. I can make yours too. Please contact sara@imadethisforyou.ca for more information.

The amount of fabric that is turned under on a hem depends on the fullness of the garment.

A very straight hem, like that on the black cotton if you see cake skirt pictured above, can be turned up an endless amount- or 2” then another 2” which nicely weights the garment.

If the hem is straight, you can turn it up as little or as much as you like.

A full hem, like that on the gray tonal rose print velvet if you see cake dress pictured above, can only be turned up a little bit- for this particular styling ¼” then another ¼” worked best. 

Assess the fullness of the garment you are working with before you attempt an alteration- a very full hem that is turned under too much will buckle and look like a whole lot of terrible!

Both garments are available at the Sara Duke Factory Store Saturdays 10 am to 6 pm, by chance or by appointment anytime- please contact sara@imadethisforyou.ca for more information.

Earlier this fall, I posted about cutting the stay stitching on the vent of your new winter coat- please note this is one of my number one top super pet vexations about fashion! And, sadly, as the weather gets cooler, I see more and more stay stitches that are uncut walking around the city.

Let me take this space and time to remind you to cut that stay stitch out.

On a similar topic, and I should have mentioned this before, winter coats often come with a label that is sewn on to the outside of the sleeve. This tag MUST be removed before wear! Pictured above is an if you see cake label hand tacked onto a sleeve, just a visual, this is the kind of thing that has to be taken off.

This one is a little bit advanced but:

Vogue puts out these really great fitting patterns- basic shapes from which you can develop a very accurate block for yourself or for someone who might want you to make them a little something. Along with the paper pattern, detailed instructions are included addressing measurements, general pattern drafting and sewing techniques.

Grab the size that more or less fits your particular measurements, read through and follow all of the steps then make a quick mock up before getting down and designing- using an inexpensive medium weight woven, non stretch, stripe or plaid/check will show any fitting flaws.

A little bit pricy at $27.50 per envelope, however, Fabricland (www.fabricland.com) sells Vogue patterns at 50% off as far back as I can remember; pattern #1003 for pants and #1004 for a bodice and skirt.