Australian Stitches

Australia’s leading dressmaking magazine is a favoured by all dressmakers in every age group. Fabulous garments, technical instructions and step x step photos help guide even the most novice sewer to complete perfect garments every time. All the latest patterns and fabrics are covered in every issue plus we trial patterns to give the lowdown on how to improve on each pattern’s instruction sheet. We showcase makeovers of real people, give wardrobe-planning advice and show the latest trends from the USA and Europe.

STYLE CONFIDENCE • ‘Fortune favours the brave’, so the saying goes … and so does fashion. Here’s some of the most confident style statements you can make this season whatever age you are!

FITTING KNITS • If you’re interested in making comfortable garments with a carefree attitude, then knit designs are the ideal choice. Their physical characteristics − such as stretch and drape − and the ease with which they can be sewn make knit fabrics highly wearable. They can be used to create a wide variety of attractive garments, from sporty to feminine. These designs are created with fitted shapes, semi-fitted shapes and very relaxed-fit to create sportswear, casual for shirts and fashionable dresses with added glitter for evening wear. They may have various silhouettes, neckline shapes, and sleeve styles. Many of these knit designs are perfect for sewing garments to make excellent year-round layering pieces, whether for everyday wear or travel wardrobes.

A Full Closet and Nothing to Wear! Avoiding the Clothes Crisis • It’s often said that there are only two certainties in life – death and taxes. However, anyone who has stared into an overflowing closet would question whether there are only two? The third certainty in life is that within minutes that overflowing closet will be empty, because of the huge crumpled heap of discarded clothes on the bedroom floor and a red-faced, flustered naked person in the middle of it. There she will stand, with her fists in the air like Scarlet O’Hara on her burning plantation, screaming in a mad panic “HELP! I have absolutely nothing to wear!”

MODERN MARITIME

Fashion is feeling Warm hearted • this season … in generously scaled wrap coats and cosy, casual knits that are so easy to relax in.

CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS — Elastic Waistline Techniques

MIX-AND-MATCH WARDROBE with Style Arc • Ever had the feeling that you’ve got nothing to wear despite having a house full of clothes? Ever felt bored to tears with the same old outfits? If so, it sounds like you need a little mix-and-match in your wardrobe.

Buying an Overlocker • Overlockers have been used in the fashion industry since early last century, but only became popular in the ’70s with the increased availability of knit fabrics and stretch sewing. These machines are essential to getting a commercial-looking finish on a garment and, with the high-stretch content in many ‘woven’ fabrics, they are absolutely necessary to get a garment sitting well.

kAtheRine Titon ON TRACK • The season's best jackets and coatdresses score with athletic details and aerodynamic lines that sprint to first place. pumped up with luscious cable knits or fun print-blocking.

MIX MASTERS

Add a Slanted Trouser Pocket • Pockets are an integral part of many fashion looks. And their execution, positioning and style can make or mar a garment.

Amazing Fit COLLECTION • Making great strides this season − the softer, easier wide-leg pant … now going to great lengths to t and atter!

IN FULL BLOOM • Gone are the days of spending hours tediously folding and pleating small pieces of fabric to create beautiful flower embellishments.

ASYMMETRICAL ALTERATIONS Part One: Upper Torso Adjustments • Surprise, surprise – the human body is not symmetrical. Everyone has figure variations from left to right; most...