Evelyn Wood @[email protected]
385K subscribers - no pronouns :c
Hi, I'm Evelyn! I'm a life long dressmaker with a love of ev
If you're like me (and pretty much every other person in existence) then your body measurements rarely end up in the same column when choosing a size from your sewing pattern!
What exactly do you do, what size do you choose when your 3 main measurements are in 3 different size columns?
No! You don't put the pattern to the bottom of the pile and choose another one!!
What you should do is watch one of my earlier videos detailing in-depth exactly what you should do in this situation!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-Y88...
You can combine the sizes to get a perfectly fitting garment that works with your body!
Remember, the pattern works with your body, not the other way around!
Do you find that you need to combine multiple sizes in patterns? Does it vary by brand or even pattern?
Isn't it funny that the secret to sewing well isn't actually sewing! In this week's look back at the archives I thought it would be good to look at some best practices for getting the most out of our sewing projects!
https://youtu.be/oK9hVroidhw
Think about the last item you made, how much of the making time did you actually spend at your sewing machine? Really think about it! I bet it's a lot less than you initially thought!
So much more time goes into the preparation - getting your pattern ready, preparing your fabric, cutting your pieces, pinning, finishing seam allowances and then pressing and even more pressing!
Sewing really only is a small part of it! 🤯
I'm reminded of this as I'm working on something right now and it feels like I have done no actual sewing at all! Yet I'm making something amazing 🙂
I believe the more time we spend on the preparing to sew part, the less time we spend on the un-picking part, which will never stop being grim and we should all try to minimise as much as possible!
And I WISH someone had stressed to me when I started sewing that a quality garment, was all in the preparation and that that the prep takes far more time than the sewing part does!
What's the most important piece of advice that you would give to a friend that is just starting on their sewing journey? What do you wish you'd known before you started?
Remember Lockdown? Whilst it caused so many disruptions, I think the home sewist rejoiced!
We don't need to lockdown to start our sewing journeys though!!
https://youtu.be/DXqpg1N4tA4
Do you realise how many sewing supplies you have at home? Neither did I until I stopped and looked!
What did you have at home waiting to be discovered?
There are so many essential, must-have tools that we have chatted about so many times! There are some that I love and would never be without!
On the flip side of that though are the must-have sewing tools that would never ever use and would immediately send to the bin (or the thrift store more likely!)
Tune into my video to see if you're surprised by what's made my list.
There are so many essential, must-have tools that we have chatted about so many times! There are some that I love and would never be without!
On the flip side of that though are the must-have sewing tools that would never ever use and would immediately send to the bin (or the thrift store more likely!)
Tune into my video to see if you're surprised by what's made my list.
https://youtu.be/5VT7dx0CZOs?si=Q6Tb5...
It might be a surprise but the first one on my list is a French Curve!! I know, right? I just personally find it restrictive. I can never find the curve I want and I just end up free-handing it anyway. I still do recommend them though for new pattern-makers or those that just can't get the free-hand curve smooth.
Watch the rest of the video for my other 4 and I wonder if any of my never-wants are actually a must-have of yours, if so comment below on what it is and why you love it - change my mind!!!
I'm sure you know the fabric I pick for summer in Australia isn't going to do much for you in Scottish winter! So how do we pick the right fabric to keep us cool or hot?
https://youtu.be/Bhg2TgT2nuQ?si=7d-Ai...
There's nothing worse than making what you think will be a cool, breezy, floaty summer blouse and then when you wear it, you feel like you're melting in a plastic bag right?
There are a few factors for fabric to help us know if it's going to make a garment that's cool or hot to wear!
And if you didn't know already, learning about fabrics is a whole other thing we need to learn alongside our sewing skills!
Knowing what fibre makes up the fabric helps us decide as natural fibres handle heat and moisture differently to synthetics.
Our bodies are little furnaces always giving out heat and fibres like wool are exceptionally good for retaining heat and keeping us warm.
No matter what, we are always producing moisture and having our clothes wick that away from us is important and natural fibres are perfect for that! They absorb the moisture, cool it down and evaporate it away from us.
Synthetics, such as polyester, are essentially just plastic so they lock the moisture into our skin and we just dissolve into clammy puddles!
Another thing to look at is the weave of the fabric, is it loose or tight? You'll have seen those sheets with like 1000 thread count right?
That means that there are 1000 threads in every square inch of fabric - the higher that count, the tighter the weave so the harder it is for heat and moisture to escape, the looser the fabric the easier it is instead.
Clamminess is my enemy so I sew to avoid that! What's your favourite season to sew for? Do you have any tips or fabrics to maintain your perfect temperature?
After the last 18 months being taken over by cancer treatments I am FINALLY finished, CANCER FREE, and am now able to celebrate and get back on with life! And it's such a relief to be able to say that!
https://youtu.be/Alc_IUyDjs8
It feels like the longest time since I've made a NEW video and posted on YouTube. The video that I've made for you today is an update on all that has been happening the last 18 months I've been away from Youtube and social media, the ups as well as the downs, and also gives you some hints on what I plan on doing next, both on YouTube and in Vintage Sewing School.
I've had some time to heal after all my chemo, radiation and surgeries and I'm finally starting to feel the zest of life come back to me and excitement for the future.
I must thank each and every single one of you for your love and support. Every message and mail I received has been thoroughly read and cherished and each one has been a building block in my recovery so thank you all again.
As we get back into the swing of things with a fresh new start, I'd love to hear from you what you would like to see on the channel?
Do you have any topics that you think we should cover or are there types of content you'd like to see such as tutorials, problem solving, general sewing chit-chat? Post down below in the comments!
Sewing Gadgets! There are so many around and everyday there seems to be a new one that is 'must-have'! It's easy to get overwhelmed with them all!
I always think that a must-have sewing tool is one that effortlessly helps you in your sewing journey and doesn't hinder or slow you down in any way. While I'm considering adding a few new things to my repertoire, have a look back at one of my last gadget trials and see if any made it into your sewing room!
https://youtu.be/XzmlSTkfPVk?si=rpOB5...
Some 'tools' go straight in the bin, either they are of bad quality or they really do not do what they are supposed to!
Sometimes though, not as often as we'd like, these little tools come into our sewing lives and we really wonder how we'd get by without them (I'm looking at you seamripper!)
Grab a coffee or cool drink and see what I made of
• Zig-zag Buttonhole Marker
• Wooden Clapper
• Pressing Ham Stand
• Tiny Darning Loom
• Fork Pin
How many do you think are still in my sewing studio and are any languishing in a thrift shop somewhere?
What tool could you absolutely not live without? Have you ever tried one that you would run a mile from if you saw it again?
I've just had the most amazing thrift haul today! After having been away from them for so long I was like a kid in a candy store! Not only did I find some lovely vintage buttons but I also bought a lot of bargain bin garments, but not for refashioning! What else is there to do with them then? Well, watch one of my videos about all the different sewing supplies you can salvage from thrifted clothes!
https://youtu.be/HsTzKPzUGy0?si=aWHSJ...
With a budget of $20 I managed to get a huge stash including
• Buttons
• Buckles
• Trims
• Zippers
• Waistband closures
• Lace inserts
Tune in to the video to get info on what to look out for - there are some surprising finds you might not have thought of!
What do you think of thrifting sewing supplies? What's been your best find yet?
Even though the last thing I really need is ANOTHER sewing machine I can't help but hunt down second-hand machines on various marketplaces! There's one I'm tempted by but I was reminded of a similar one I'd bought a few years back that did not go quite to plan!
So what should you look for and avoid when buying a pre-loved machine? Let's go back and look at my video about what can go wrong!
https://youtu.be/r0g8K2lYOM0?si=MfYND...
My first piece of advice is, if you're on a budget, I always recommend buying a cheap second-hand reputable brand model machine rather buying a cheap brand new one. New cheaper machines don't last very well and don't handle much wear and tear, it's cheaper to replace them than have them serviced and they just end up in the landfill.
Things to make sure that are included are the power cable and foot pedal. Yes, you can buy replacements but you're better with the originals! Any other accessories such as the correct bobbins and any feet are always very handy to get as well. Also double check the bobbin case in place where it should be too!
Be sure to watch the full video and make a checklist for yourself to follow when you're next looking for a second hand machine, also to see the machine blow up on me - honestly!!
What's your best second-hand machine? I'm still keeping an eye on what's out there, you can never have too many machines, right?
You have the pattern, you have the perfect fabric, you can see that ideal garment hanging in your wardrobe.........but somehow you just can get that bit in between working. That bit in between is just setting up and sewing the whole project, should be easy right? What if there are obstacles you just can't get by?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-2qC...
Why don't we try shaking off the cobwebs and look back at my top tips for removing the 5 most common obstacles to getting in front of your machine!!
The one that I know I complain about most, and I bet you do too, is time! Finding time to sit down and get on just seems impossible sometimes right?
Then, even if you find the time, setting up and then having to put away your sewing items takes a chunk of that and can make you feel it's not worth the effort!
If you get everything setup and you have an afternoon to yourself, you can falter when it comes to choosing what to make or what the next step is........
I'm sure you know where I'm going with this, more often than not it's mental barriers we need to overcome. I know that when I feel like this and I MAKE myself get in front of the machine it's not long before I'm really enjoying the process and wondering why it took me so long to get down to it!
Tune into my video for my personal tips and tricks of overcoming sewing ennui and getting back in front of your machine where you belong!!
What's your best motivational method to get back on top of your sewing to-do list?
Hi, I'm Evelyn! I'm a life long dressmaker with a love of everything SEWING VINTAGE & FASHION, and my obsession is helping others on their sewing journey!
I'm currently taking a sabbatical from my channel due to ongoing treatment for breast cancer. There are a lot of videos for you to watch and a channel re-launch is coming when I'm back up and running so be sure to subscribe so as not to miss out on future videos!
Over the last few years, I have been inspiring and teaching budding new sewers, just like you, the ins and outs of sewing and fitting your own clothes!
I bring the art of vintage dressmaking skills to modern sewing!
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www.vintagesewingschool.com/
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evelynwood.retrieve.com/store/#/
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