This week “And So To Sew” bulletin 12a teaches you how to measure yourself and choose the right size sewing pattern and make basic alterations to the length and width.
While my edited version of “And So to Embroider” 12b takes designing embroideries with paper even further, teaching you how to change your pattern by using different stitches. These designs are used on a patchwork beach bag, felt handkerchief sachet, and woollen baby blanket.
As always, I have included modern videos or photo tutorials for all of the techniques used.
One of my favourite types of needlework is any textile for which the major tools needed are a needle and thread. Whether it is needle lace edgings such as oya ignesi with it’s stunning floral and geometric designs, needle lace (I’m a fan of the more colourful and modern pieces), or teneriffe lace, if it’s portable I’ll give it a go.
Many years ago I bought a teneriffe lace cushion called a Koppo cushion and was flooded with requests to buy it or to tell people where they could get one. Unfortunately, since they were made in 1955 that wasn’t going to be possible. Even worse, I seem to have lost mine when we moved house, so I made a replacement and you can too. (I’m hoping it will still turn up but considering how organised most of my gear is, I doubt it).
My poor lost, beloved Koppo cushion
I’ve written a full tutorial on sewing the cushion with two options on how to make the top (leather or paper), what to fill it with and a link to an amazing book that will teach you all you need to know about making your lace. Thanks to some notes I kept and the patent online, I even managed to recreate the top of the Koppo cushion accurately so I have my favourite piece of needlework gear back!
If you’d like to keep up to date with new tutorials, patterns and other needlework related goodies that go on around here, subscribe to the site to receive an email when new stuff appears. Over on the left (on desktop), or underneath the post on tablet or mobile.
This week in our “And so To Sew” series, leaflet 11a will teach you how to sew a nightie without using a pattern and how to sew pyjamas from a commercial pattern. We also build on your library of techniques with frills, casings, machine sewn felled seams and sewing a collar and facing in one step.
As always, I have added modern video or photo tutorials to each page for my fellow visual learners.
We still have a long way to go with the “And So To” series of bulletins! Make sure to visit every Tuesday (Australian Eastern) for new sewing and embroidery content, every Thursday for the week’s “Favourite Thing” (it could be anything, this week it’s a whole tutorial!), and every Saturday for a new knitting pattern.
This week’s installments of “And So To Sew” and “And So To Embroider” bring us to week 10. This week we’ll learn all about the techniques used to sew a woollen dress from a commercial pattern, how to sew a tailored collar and cuffs (pattern included), and how to use simple embroidery stitches to create motifs and borders.
As always, I have included modern video or photo tutorials for everyone who enjoys learning by example.
If you’d like to stay up to date with every new item I add to the website, subscribe to the email list over on the left (on desktop), or under this post on tablet or mobile. You’ll receive a quick email every time I add something new.
This week, our And So To Sew bulletins are all about learning techniques for both sewing and embroidery.
“And So To Sew” leaflet 9a is all about techniques that are used in the sewing of vintage sportswear. Every technique from making the pleats of a classic sports skirt, to matching patterns, finishing seams and hems and reinforcing garments at stress points.
Cushions from “And So To Embroider” 9b
“And So To Embroider” bulletin 9b teaches us all about embroidering on wool. It also includes three new stitches, how to use them to design motifs, and some project ideas to embroider them on.
As always, I have included a selection of video and photo tutorials for each technique as we all learn differently and not all of us have a teacher close by to help if we get stuck!
I hope you are enjoying this series of 1950’s leaflets from the Needlework Development Scheme. We have a way to go yet, with some of my all-time favourites coming up! If you’d like to stay notified when new things are posted, sign up to be notified by email (over on the left on desktop, or under the post on tablet or phone). You’ll receive a short email with information on the new post so you can choose whether it’s something you’d like to look at. At the moment, that will be three emails per week.
