a blog about pattern hacks and sewing for girls
I'm sure most of you have heard of Every Which Way by now and that's because it's amazing. It's a super basic little pattern but it includes all of the building blocks you need to make just about anything you want. It has several add ons and can mix and match with other patterns in …
Continue reading "Get More Mileage with Mix and Match Patterns"
If you've ever tried to dress a kid, or yourself, you know how important a placket is. It allows the dress to open up wide enough to easily take it off and put it on. Unless a dress has a wide waist and a lot of ease, a placket or a zipper is needed.Below I'll …
There are several ways to finish the outer edge of facings for a neat look.
One such detail is the very wide, single layer sashes that tie into big beautiful bows. For this tutorial, the sash instructions are for a big bow sash.
Duchess and Hare's A La Heart pattern is so perfect for Valentine's Day but, with a little imagination and fabric magic it will become a fun go to all through the year! Like most of Duchess and Hare pdf patterns, A La Heart comes with several options to provide you with all the elements to create so …
Pinafores come in all manner of styles from simple utilitarian smock types to fancy (as in not meant to ever get dirty) pinny's with lace, tucks, ruffles and flutters. Over the decades pattern companies have churned out 100's of variations. The pinafore is just as popular today and often the featured piece of an outfit. Duchess and Hare has the Pretty Pinnie pattern …
Continue reading "Get the Look: Vintage Style Pinafore with Every Which Way"
There have been many inquiries about adding sleeves to Duchess and Hare's popular vintage style Runaround Romper and Dress pattern. The Runaround has a vintage fit through the shoulders and plenty of ease to facilitate dressing and attaching to the waist which is elasticized (no placket needed). It is possible to add sleeves to the …
Continue reading "Adjusting a Pattern: Using Every Which Way to Add Sleeves to Runaround"
UPDATED Why change a dress bodice or a top into one that buttons up in front instead of the back? A few reasons come to mind such as ease of dressing for independent toddler/child, show off some awesome buttons, avoid hair getting tangled around buttons (my reason to use zippers for back closures!) and my …
Continue reading "Adjusting a Pattern: Changing a Back Closure to a Front Closure"
It's time to vote for your favorite look over at Project Run and Play. Click HERE to vote!Oh, green! My favorite color! Instantly, I was inspired and sewed this up before anything else - even before I sewed up week 1's entry. I knew I had to use my favorite fabric ever. This Shot Cotton …
Duchess and Hare 