Australian Stitches No. 27-1

Understated sparkle – a bit of an oxymoron – but while this collection does have shine and sparkle, it’s subtle! Dusted pastels, ivory and old gold, white gold, yellow gold and platinum combine to give you a palette that will make you shine at all those Christmas and New Year parties! Metallic threads are woven into knitted and woven base cloths. My favourite is ‘Fortune’, a 100% cotton, ecru-coloured lace that has been heat-transfer printed with a silver thread-like overlay! Let your imagination run wild and create your own designer look! Happy sewing – David Tinworth, MARTIN & SAVAGE FABRICS! 1. Camilla 35057, design: 51369, 98% polyester/ 2% spandex, colour: Moet, 152-154cm wide. 2. Tinkerbell 35022, 60% metallic/40% polyester, colour: Silver, 136-138cm wide. 3. Ibiza 34081, 93% polyester/7% spandex, colour: Rose Gold, 142-147cm wide. 4. Hi…

They’re so BOLD One thing we noticed when previewing all the styles from the pattern companies for summer was the proliferation of dresses on offer, but it wasn’t a surprise. After all, nothing says ‘summer’ quite like a fresh, breezy dress … and nothing could be easier to wear and to enjoy, especially with the terrific options available this year. In fact, there is so much variety that it’s the perfect time to update your dress wardrobe with a fresh, new print, colour or shape … or even to finally take the plunge and try out a style or two if you’re not really a ‘dress person’. If you’re not sure where to start, you might want to try starting with an eye-catching print. They are getting bolder and more graphic with…

Sometime back in the 1990s several top American fashion designers and other assorted industry types gathered in New York to discuss the possibility of collaborating on a group runway show. When the question of what type of fashion should be emphasised came up, with a suggestion for more ‘wearable’ clothes that would appeal to women of all ages, one designer said, ''We don't want women like that.'' To which a voice piped up from the back of the room with: ''I'll take 'em!'' That gruff, cigar-smoked voice belonged to a man who not only brought the designer profession out of the factory backrooms and into the social limelight, but who also came to define a distinctively American breed of witty, urbane glamour. It was the type of glamour that was as…

VERY EASY VOGUE® V8992: Lined wrap dress has front extending into collar, princess-seams, inside ties, and hook-and-eye closing. For crepe, lightweight denim, linen, or silk tweed. V8994: Pullover lined dress has back neck band, cut-in armholes, shaped hemline and narrow hem, wrong side shows. For burnout linen, silk broadcloth, or georgette, crepe de chine. V8996: Lined dress has lower princess seams, side front pockets, back zipper and narrow hem. For crepe, broadcloth, lightweight denim or linen blends. All styles, Misses’ sizes: 8 – 24. www.voguepatterns.com…

www.mccallpattern.com…

I know you are probably all having a chuckle right now as finding the perfect bra is like finding the City of Atlantis – we all know it should exist but none of us can find it! Read on as Dearne Natoli from Booby Traps has some great tips on getting the correct fit and not just finding the perfect bra, but making your own! Bra fitting has been a subject of discussion for many years. Bras have been worn since the late 19th century, and the styles have changed dramatically over the years. Finding a well-fitting bra depends not only on the correct size, but also the correct style for your breast shape and size. Research shows that at least 90% of women wear the incorrect bra size. We can offer…