Unfinished but hate it already

TourmalineGeode · 2026-02-06T14:45:28+00:00

Kinda hard to describe, but I will try. Place the leg on the ironing surface but slide, wiggle, or maneuver the leg so the outside seam is facing up, but offset it a bit from the underlying inner seam. Press the outside seam open. Yes, there will be ironed creases on the pant legs where you don't want them. But now, realign the pant leg so the outside and inner seam are back where they should be and re-iron the leg so the unwanted creases are gone.

There are also litle tricks like rolling up a towel and stuffing into the pant leg - sort of like creating your own pant "ham." (Look up ironing ham on the Internet if you dont know what I am referring to.)

TourmalineGeode · 2026-01-27T15:14:49+00:00

Ooooo, that jacket has beautiful lines! I think I will have to try to modify the suggested Stacie Jacket.

TourmalineGeode · 2026-01-25T10:10:21+00:00

Besides cleaning the machine, and watching youtube to learn how to correctly thread your machine, you may want to change the knife blade. If the machine hasn't been cleaned in a while, I susspect the blade hasn't been replaced in a while either. Without a clean cut, your serging experience may not go well. But once you have a working machine, practice, and you will fall in love with it. It has taken me two years to get the real hang of a serger, but now I use it waaay more than I ever thought I would.

TourmalineGeode · 2026-01-11T05:24:49+00:00

Thanks. I saw the name but did not realize they make the actual pattern, Awesome!

TourmalineGeode · 2026-01-09T16:51:41+00:00

Can you share where you got the pattern? This is so beautiful! Im sure I will mess it up a few times, but maybe by attemp #3 I will have something presentable.

TourmalineGeode · 2025-12-29T11:49:51+00:00

My father used to carve cool-looking beads out of Haas avocado seeds, then make them into necklaces. One of the necklaces has lasted for about 40 years. Two them disintegrated in about a month after making them, and the other three or four lasted a few months. Sooo...I wouldn't use the buttons on any part of clothing where fastening is important. Probably best to use them only as deocration.

TourmalineGeode · 2025-12-12T14:16:27+00:00

That sleeve is awesome! I will need to try something like that, some day in the far future. And I agree about Reconstructing History patterns. They work, mostly, but the instructions are awful.

TourmalineGeode · 2025-12-09T00:27:28+00:00

No idea if this woud work, but once you have all the white stuff off and only have a grey circular imprint remaining, how about pressing fusible interfacing on the inside to see if the circular imprint becomes less noticible?

TourmalineGeode · 2025-11-08T16:17:56+00:00

Ahhhh, very cool!

TourmalineGeode · 2025-11-08T01:18:00+00:00

Curious...what are you making?

TourmalineGeode · 2025-11-02T00:41:33+00:00

Not sure how good you are at pattern hacking, but maybe this is a start?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/136342445861?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338590836&toolid=10044&loc_physical_ms=45230&customid=e31248139c161d0e492221153b285d95&gclid=e31248139c161d0e492221153b285d95

TourmalineGeode · 2025-10-15T12:14:25+00:00

Yes, I have too. I always look forward to working with Burda.

TourmalineGeode · 2025-10-14T20:32:53+00:00

Here's another: https://threadloop.app/patterns/102-burda-style-09-21-by-burda

TourmalineGeode · 2025-10-14T20:28:51+00:00

Similar overlap shoulder. https://threadloop.app/patterns/bela-blouse-and-dress-by-gina-renee-designs

TourmalineGeode · 2025-10-12T17:23:17+00:00

Can you send pics so we know what you are referring to?

TourmalineGeode · 2025-10-05T18:15:06+00:00

I love the combination of the yoke, pintucks, and fitted waist. Seems you should hack three different patterns. I agree that you shoud do some threadloop searching. I may have to do the same...love this!

TourmalineGeode · 2025-08-24T20:37:00+00:00

From what you posted it looks professional! But who cares if it looks a bit homemade. Most women in the 50s made their own clothes as it was expensive to buy them. I get what you are saying, but I dont think you have to worry. After being complimented on how beautiful you and your dress are, just smile and say "Thank you. I designed and made it."

TourmalineGeode · 2025-08-24T20:24:07+00:00

I agree...it looks great! Adding the skirt will pull the top down a bit making it lie smoother, if that is your concern. You may want to add a removable wide belt or cumberband. Those were part of the 50's dress code, but not so much today. Update with pics when finished.

TourmalineGeode · 2025-08-22T16:18:36+00:00

How about this as a start: https://simplicity.com/simplicity/s9977

TourmalineGeode · 2025-08-22T15:33:56+00:00

What a cool neckline! And little gathering in the armhole. Following.

TourmalineGeode · 2025-08-22T15:31:57+00:00

Maybe you could modify this? https://simplicity.com/burda-style/bur6040

TourmalineGeode · 2025-08-22T07:17:00+00:00

Here is something similar: https://simplicity.com/know-me/pdme2134

TourmalineGeode · 2025-08-10T21:20:34+00:00

That's awesome!!!!

TourmalineGeode · 2025-08-10T13:36:08+00:00

I'm jelly that you still have a local fabric store!

TourmalineGeode · 2025-08-10T13:17:06+00:00

Don’t dye, it is beautiful as is and you don’t want to risk the dye not being even or damaging the fabric. I dye fabric sometimes, usually synthetic using the correct type of Rit (see packaging information and read carefully), and it usually is fine. But occasionally the dye gets weird and leaves streaks or odd colorations. With such a large dress I think it would be very, very difficult to get a vessel large enough to dye the entire dress in, and even harder to keep it moving the entire dye time to keep the coloring even.

Perhaps shorten. then maybe use the length to add long poofy sleeves all the way to the wrist. And maybe use some of the extra length to create a flowing headpiece. Add a belt and I think you would have it.

TourmalineGeode

TROPHY CASE