Author Archives: Elizabeth

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth Quinn is a freelance writer with a great interest in sewing. She has been sewing for nearly thirty years and has experience with a wide range of projects, especially dance costumes. She has written on numerous topics, including history, real estate, psychology, and of course, sewing.

All Weather Fabrics for Spring

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Spring is just over a month away, and it is time to beginning planning your spring wardrobe sewing if you have not already done so. Planning in plenty of time is the key to actually sewing a lovely new spring wardrobe, rather than just dreaming about it.

If you live in a section of the country that has really cold springtime weather or variable temperatures, it can sometimes be difficult to decide what fabric to use for spring outfits. Lightweight eyelets, batiste, seersucker, and plisse are tempting, but just not appropriate for some climes.

Gabardine and poplin are better choices for cooler spring weather. Gabardine is a true all weather fabric and the lightweight versions can even be worn in the summertime. This woven fabric is perfect for suits and simple, tailored dresses as well as for pants. Poplin is also suitable for pants, jackets, and skirts.

Both gabardine and poplin are easy to sew and very durable. I suggest making a few classic pieces such as a tailored blazer and a straight skirt. If you choose neutral shades, you can mix these versatile pieces with many different tops and accessories.

Gabardine--Olive

Gabardine--Royal

Gabardine--Burgundy

Keep in mind that neutral doesn’t just mean traditional navy, black, brown, white, and grey. Try an exciting new neutral such as olive gabardine or royal blue. Even burgundy will mix well with a variety of hues.

Cool Laptop Totes and More

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It is easy to make stylish laptop bags out of attractive fabrics. Your creativity is only limited by your imagination.

We all enjoying showing our style with unique accessories. Accessories aren’t limited to clothing items. Even necessary items for business and school can become fun fashion accessories.

Oh, I know the stores have a mind-boggling assortment of accessories, but even with the wide-range of ready-made options, it is sometimes difficult to find one the fits your personality. If you sew or would like to learn sew, you can make your own practical accessories.

It’s easy to make cell phone and i-pad cases that suit your style. Laptop and netbook totes are also easy to make, although they take a bit more time than cases for smaller items. Laptop and netbook bags can be made with pockets, pin holders and zippered compartments.

Get creative and make beautiful accessories to protect your technology and carry it in style. Cell phone and i-cases are so quick to make and require little fabric; they make great gifts. Laptop and netbook totes are also great gifts to make when you have more time.

Many types of fabric are suitable for technology cases. Choose a bright Amy Butler print or a stylish faux leather. Upholstery and drapery fabric can also be used to make laptop and netbook totes.

This cool pattern from Simplicity features bags for laptops, i-pads, and cell phones. These handy bags can be made out of sturdy canvas or sport nylon as well as broadcloth.

If you just learning to sew, choose a small project such as a cell phone cover and an easy to sew fabric such as a cotton print. If your first project doesn’t come out “perfectly,” consider any imperfections as part of its charm. With practice, your projects will come out the way that you envision.

Fashion Classics—the Black Dress

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Over the years the "little black dress" has taken many forms. This style, which appeared a few years ago, is suitable for the office, as well an evening on the town.

Chanel first popularized the basic “little black dress” in 1926 and it has been popular every since. Before that time, black clothing for women was generally reserved for mourning. The “little black dress” from Chanel was calf length (which was considered short at the time) and featured very simple lines. Over the years, especially during the 1960s, the little black dress, has appeared in much more revealing versions than Chanel’s.

The “little black dress” can also be modest and elegant. A-line designs flatter all figures. A simple a-line black dress is easy to make and can be made to the length that suits you. It can be dressed down to wear to the office and dressed up for a night on the town.

Planning for the Prom

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If you have a special young woman with a prom dance coming up, it is time to start planning her dress. Intermediate and advanced sewers can save money and make a unique  prom dress for that special night.

The beautiful special occasion fabrics available from OFS are perfect for prom dresses. Satin and tulle makes a wonderful combination. Chiffon is another great choice, while lamè is also an option.

Purchase an easy to follow pattern and enjoy making that prom dress.

Homemade Valentine Gifts

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In a little over two weeks it will be Valentine’s Day. Gifts that you make yourself can really show your loved ones where your heart is and they are fun to make.

I love making stuffed animals and they can be great gifts for young and old alike. These critters look great in fleece as well as in sturdy broadcloth. An elephant, puppy, or kitten in this heart print fleece would make a cuddly friend for your Valentine.

Attach a pin back to hearts cut out of felt and you have an inexpensive school project.

Boxes Under the Bed

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Boxes Under the Bed is yet another project by the Alliance for American Quilts. The project collects any documents which refer to quilts: newspaper clippings, catalogs, correspondence, manuscripts, and patterns.

Volunteers are trained how to recognize and preserve these valuable pieces of social history. Checkout this site for examples of quilt documents.

AAQ is partnering with Winedale, The Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin and also with MSU Museum to develop this project.

The Quilt Index

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The Quilt Index is an effort by the Alliance for American Quilts. This online archive features images and documentation on thousands of historic quilts held in public collections and by private collectors. The Alliance has partnered with Michigan State University to undertake this valuable historic mission.

The project is funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.

If you love historic quilts you will love exploring this site.

Quilter’s SOS—Save Our Stories—stories of contemporary quilters

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One of the major projects of The Alliance of American quilts is known as SOS—Save Our Stories. This is a living history project; the goal is to gather the stories of contemporary quilters and preserve them for posterity.

Quilter’s stories are as unique as each individual. Some quilters have been quilting most of their lives; others began just for fun in their retirement years, while still others began quilting to memorialize a loved one or to ease stress during a traumatic time.

Volunteers interview quilters across the country in order to preserve this precious part of America’s social history. Numerous interviews are done at the International Quilt Festival, held annually in Houston, during the fall. You can read many S.O.S. stories at the Alliance site. The stories are archived at the Library of Congress American Folklife Center http://www.loc.gov/folklife/.

The Alliance for American Quilts

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Quilts are an important part of the heritage of the United States. Throughout our history, quilters have told their personal stories and the nation’s story in quilts. Quilters were especially prolific during the American Civil War and many quilts which commemorate fallen soldiers survive.

Frequently these historical quilts have wound up hidden away in attics, often under poor conditions which could lead to their deterioration. The Alliance for American Quilts is an organization dedicated to preserving America’s quilting heritage. The Alliance strives to preserve not only the quilts themselves, but the stories behind the quilts.

It does so through several projects: Boxes under the Bed, Quilt Treasures, Quilter’s Save Our Stories, and the Quilt Index

The University of Texas at Austin and Michigan State University partner with the Alliance in some of these efforts.