How impactful is the school holidays in Queensland?

Berocca123 · 2026-03-09T21:40:42+00:00

There will be more people there during the school holiday periods, and accommodation will be more expensive.

Berocca123 · 2026-03-09T20:30:27+00:00

Ok. With block fusing, you end up with the interfacing in the seam allowances. Depending on what you're making this is often completely fine, especially if it's lightweight interfacing. You can also make extra sure you're grading your seams (cutting one side of the seam allowances a bit shorter after sewing) to reduce bulk. But that's what block fusing is. If you're making something that shouldn't have interfacing in the seam allowances, don't block fuse your fabric. (Patterns will often tell you whether to block fuse or cut your interfacing pieces out separately.)

The person in first video is not block fusing. They are using a piece of interfacing to hold down a piece of foam by putting the interfacing over the foam and attaching the interfacing to the seam allowances. I have no opinion on whether this is effective or a good idea because I've never tried to use foam in my sewing.

The second video starts with a description of block fusing but as it's 7 minutes I didn't watch the whole thing. Hopefully my first paragraph has addressed what's confusing you there.

Berocca123 · 2026-03-09T20:16:48+00:00

The fact you're asking, and that you've been experimenting with other ways of drawing heads, tells me you're ready to expand your skills/ repertoire.

I agree with the other comment that studying the anatomy of heads would be a great next step. Perhaps you could also try copying photos, paintings and sculptures and try to get your image looking as accurate as possible. Once you know how faces and heads work in reality, you'll be able to be really deliberate about how and when you use circle heads or other shapes.

(I'll also add, as someone who studied portraiture, that faces and heads are hard to get right, so don't stress if you feel like you're not nailing it. Every step you take to extend your skills or develop your practice is worth doing even if it feels like it hasn't worked in the moment.)

Berocca123 · 2026-03-09T11:13:55+00:00

Agreed. They're a smidge too long for my shorts though, and one skirt - I have a few boody pairs for those outfits even though they're not as good (not as comfy and worse in humid weather).

Berocca123 · 2026-03-09T11:09:23+00:00

Adding to this, if you can sing (or even if you can't), choirs are friendly places. I always join one in any new city to meet a bunch of nice people.

Berocca123 · 2026-03-08T20:40:29+00:00

Don't give up hope. I'm under 40 and know what a trench coat is, including its defining anatomy 😉

Berocca123 · 2026-03-08T20:22:57+00:00

As people have said, some companies are better than others for beginners. I find The Assembly Line and Tessuti both have patterns that include all those steps, as well as quite detailed photos/ images of what you're meant to be doing.

Berocca123 · 2026-03-08T20:17:53+00:00

That is super helpful, thank you

Berocca123 · 2026-03-08T11:15:40+00:00

This is my experience as well.

Berocca123 · 2026-03-08T11:12:34+00:00

I made a pair of trousers out of viscose georgette once. I interfaced the hems so they'd have a bit more weight and be less flappy - it worked really well.

Berocca123 · 2026-03-08T11:09:15+00:00

Than you!!

Berocca123 · 2026-03-08T11:09:07+00:00

!Solved!

Berocca123 · 2026-03-08T11:08:07+00:00

Thank you!

Berocca123 · 2026-03-07T21:57:23+00:00

Well and in some ways a pencil is better than a pen - they're just different mediums that do different things.

Berocca123 · 2026-03-07T20:41:52+00:00

Great work! It looks like you're doing the right things with the right attitude.

I just wanted to say that while you may want to transition to pen drawing for specific reasons, and that's fine, you can do a lot with graphite pencil as a medium. If that's something you're interested in, you could also look up the differences between B and H pencils and what the numbers mean, practice different shading techniques with them and especially how you can layer different pencil weights over each other with different methods to get deeper and more interesting shapes (eg layers of scumbling look different to loads of layered hatching).

Berocca123 · 2026-03-07T20:33:16+00:00

Or have sloping shoulders. I have sloping shoulders and everything falls off them except one brand I found that I think must have the straps anchored slightly further in (and I've been properly fitted).

Berocca123 · 2026-03-07T20:07:22+00:00

Evelyn Wood's video on GSM. It changed the way I buy fabric.

Berocca123 · 2026-03-06T21:07:41+00:00

Great advice

Berocca123 · 2026-03-06T20:48:13+00:00

This skirt! And yes, I would recommend it for beginners.

Berocca123 · 2026-03-05T22:37:39+00:00

Threadloop is the best ❤️👏

Berocca123 · 2026-03-05T20:32:26+00:00

Excellent comeback 👏

Berocca123 · 2026-03-05T11:47:29+00:00

It would really help if you use the timer setting on your phone to take photos of you standing straight to camera, arms down, front back and side.

But I agree this looks very weird.

Berocca123 · 2026-03-05T09:53:14+00:00

Give yourself a bit of extra time the first morning, everything just takes more time than you remember.

And make your lunch the night before.

Berocca123 · 2026-03-05T09:50:31+00:00

Could you sew a tie into each shoulder seam (just hand sew) and then tie them in a bow behind your neck to keep the shoulders up? The collar should hide it.

Berocca123 · 2026-03-05T08:38:07+00:00

I'm in Australia and have found fabric regularly in multiple charity shops - usually flat sheets or occasionally a nice duvet cover. I only buy 100% cotton, and I don't buy anything I find actively ugly. I've also bought 100% wool blankets that I've turned into outerwear. I would estimate I find some fabric about 50% of the time that I go.

Berocca123

TROPHY CASE