#bianca springer

[professorpski]

Sew News, Fall 2021

As the cover makes clear, denim is their interest this issue. In addition there are several technical articles that are for any other fabric as well. Several on sizing, including fitting for larger sizes, fitting for pants, one on buttonholes and all the different ways to make and open them, plus another on sergers. This in addition to product reviews, makers interviews, and other advice columns. 

Piecing and reworking old denims is the center of the several pattern or pattern advice. So take a look at your worn out jeans and what you might do with them Sometimes you need to start with a commercial sewing pattern which is true of the cover jacket, and then there are directions for piecing and or altering the pattern. The Graffiti Girl Jacket template by Kirin Herbert is available through the Sew Daily website and directions for applying it via applique and paint are offered by Bianca Springer. The Belford Backpack full pattern adn sew along information is again at SewDaily.com if you register. And lastly you see here bleached and pieced pillows with directions for making them by Sadie Fox Metter.

[professorpski]

Sew News December 2020/January 2021

The theme of this issues is all things sparkly and furry. So you see the synthetic, panne velvet dress on the cover which illustrates a feature on using velvets by Bianca Springer. That dress is McCalls 7999, a current pattern, but the cowl sleeves are from an out-of-print pattern McCalls 7998.

Then you see some furry accessories. The ubiquitous cowl is redone as a rectangle of fur with a zipper (If you saw my January 24, 2014, you have heard of chin-chins, a kind of fur collar that went over a coat, buttoned or hooked, and both warm and flattering, very popular in the 1910s and well worth reviving). Cortney Swayne designed this cowl with a separating zipper, a good first project if you have never worked with fake fur, but have put in a zipper. Then Erin Weisbert designed the fur toque, she calls it a pillbox which is a little harder as you must connect the rounded seamline of the crown to the sides.

A very simple shiny project is the sequinned scrunchie which is offered along with a simple clutch and a headband by Sadie Fox Mettler.  These would be good for learning how to work with sequins which need to be removed from the seam allowances before you sew, and before you take on a larger project like a top or dress.

There are other simple patterns including for a stocking, applique pillows, and more, plus technical advice on zipper basics, on serger basics, on making a simple furry jacket, and on fitting garments, including on improving mask fit. The columns on new products and interviews with makers.

You can find it in your local fabric store or here online: https://www.sewdaily.com/sew-news-magazine/

On chin-chins, go here: https://professorpski.tumblr.com/post/74385752343/vogue-jezebel-lena-dunham-and-fashionable

[professorpski]

Sew News October/November 2020

This issue has several patterns as you can see from the cover as well as several technical articles. There is the tote on the cover, plus two other bags, all of them relatively simple and good for the beginning sewer.

Bianca Springer shows you how to make the Neapolitan Pullover a fuzzy hoodie perfect for fall days. Of course, you can do a different kind of pieced pattern if you simply apply the principles but change the shapes of the pieces.

Meg Healy explains seaming with sheer fabric using the orange jacket you see in silk organza, but again, the techniques can be applied to any pattern and sheer fabric. Pamela Howard writes a step-by-step primer on the tailoring technique of bound buttonhole with ample illustrations. For you first try, I would suggest a softer textures wool, not hard like a gabardine, but not liable to unravel like a loosely woven tweed. A softer wool will have come of the needed pliability, stability, and a little texture can hide smaller mistakes.

There is also a big floor poof made of pieces denim from old jeans, an upcycling effort; a short tutorial on basic hand embroidery stitches, two features on cosplay which is form of theater costuming. The usual advice columns and new products columns appear too. So plenty to learn several patterns for beginners, and advice for improving your technical skills.

You can find it at your local newsstand, bookstore, or here online: https://www.sewdaily.com/sewing/sew-news-magazine/