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.

Softening up • Goodbye tough and too-tailored… the newest jackets have the softness and ease of a blouse or a cardigan, but are still as ‘finished’ as day dressing needs to be, with a gently flared line that’s fabulously flattering to a feminine figure.

SUPER SHAPE-WISE updates • Whenever we talk about our bodies, the conversation always tends towards the negative. The fact is that no-body is perfect! Every gure has its good and not-so-good points and fashion is always there to help accentuate your positives while undermining those negatives… but fashion always changes. What can you use to help your shape look its best from the latest and greatest of the season? Read on…

The Interfaced Hem FOR AN UNLINED GARMENT

In a Bind

Make mine a DOUBLE! • Versatile items that do double-duty in your closet: Day-to-night … Work-to-weekend

RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE! • Michael Kors set the theme with his elaborate jungle prints! We too have joined the pack! Plain khaki, Savannah sand colours and ivory plains in crinkled non-iron fabric vie with mini ocelot prints, abstract tiger prints and slippery python prints!

Behind the Seams at Bernina • Claire has always been fascinated by the way things are made, so when she had an opportunity to visit the Bernina factory in Steckborn, Switzerland, she was really excited, and now shares the experience with us.

ASYMMETRICAL ALTERATIONS Part Two: Lower Torso Adjustments • In this issue, asymmetrical alterations for the lower torso are considered and style guidelines investigated. Keeping in mind asymmetrical figures are individualspecific, it is recommended home sewers take time to complete the ‘body graph’ and review the Upper Torso alterations previously discussed in Vol 24 No 8 prior to undertaking alterations for the lower torso. The ‘body graph’ eliminates personal biases and accurately defines asymmetrical curves and proportion.

LONG for it • Long and lean is the season’s freshest profile … and it’s more flattering than you may think, especially in soft fabrics and fluid lines that are still quite easy. Lengthy falls of lush print add a languid luxury to those long, lean times ahead …

A Time to Learn – Part 1 • In this lesson we will be looking at sewing terminology and the pattern guidesheet before starting our first project – a pair of sleep shorts. Let’s get started …

HOW TO SHORTEN A LINED JACKET • Shortening the length on a men’s or ladies jacket is probably one of the more difficult clothes alterations. There are many steps in this process, here’s a condensed version of the process.

Curves ahead... • Whether in the swirl of a soft, flaring skirt, in the tailoring of an office-ready jacket, in a bright button-through dress, or in a sleek zipped cardigan … all of which are pared down to their purest form.

Where Are You Now? • If you have changed shape by more than 5cm (2in) of recent then you should re-assess your body shape. The idea is to make the most of whatever shape you are now and ensure your clothing choices still flatter your current shape.

Shift your PERSPECTIVE • Fresh from the ‘60s, the SHIFT DRESS is now revived for 2016 … but this time around, its slick, graphic appeal suits a range of shapes!

Is Your Cup Half Full? • Research shows that eight out 10 women are wearing the...