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.

THE HEAT IS ON • Simple, easy resort-ready basics turn up the heat with strong, sizzling colour and electric prints.

Your Cup Size Matters • Wearing clothes that fit always proves to give a more flattering look and will allow your figure to look slimmer and more attractive. The uniqueness of a good fitting pattern is to make sure that the bust cup size matches to your bust cup size (or close to it.).When developing blouse, dress, vest, and jacket patterns, the cup size is what controls the fit of the shoulder, armhole and side seam.

brother at your side NV1800Q

YOUR SHAPE-WISE Swimsuit GUIDE FOR SUMMER • Do your hips seem too hefty or does your bust need a boost? Wishing your rump didn’t look so plump or your waist had more grace? Do you often feel like a blimp – or a shrimp – on the beach? Banish those bathing suit blues as we choose the best shape-wise strategies for

Control The Heat! • Whether it’s to throw over a swimsuit or a simple, easy dress for those summer scorchers, McCall’s M6744 is the perfect style.

BACK TO NATURE

Construction Elements —Concealed Button Plackets • Sometimes we find that although the pattern instructions are correct, it is necessary to change the sewing technique to create the perfect finish! Alison explains the construction changes to Vogue V1412 view A Rebecca Taylor top and why it was required. This is a great pattern with two different styles, each with different elements including front and sleeve plackets. See photo 1.

You Do Have Fabric Options • While not a standard procedure, home sewers have the option of changing a designer’s suggested fabric to a cloth easier to sew and fit. The best example of such modification is replacing a woven fabric with a knit alternative. This technique reduces fitting concerns, simplifies construction techniques and reduces meterage requirements.

Pleats! ... and More Pleats • Taking on a project like Vogue V1446 requires a lot of careful consideration of both fitting and construction. Another consideration is undergarments … namely a bra, and how to wear one with this partially back-less dress. Read on for a few pointers to ease the process, and end up with a stunning dress to be proud of.

ON TRACK • New York’s winning names get pumped up, as a streamlined athleticism shapes dresses this summer… sporty details and aerodynamic lines bring home the gold.

Elastication • Approaching the subject of elastication in an objective manner and always doing a little testing on some scraps of the actual fabric will ensure the result is desirable.

Just checking • It’s now hip to wear squares this summer, as gingham, a formerly frumpy prairie-girl fabric is more at home on the beach (or off it, with a cool cover-up) than on the range … in cute retro cuts that have steamy ‘Bardot-esque’ appeal.

Buttonholes Explained! • Buttonholes are normally stitched when the garment is finished, so learning the ins and outs to perfect buttonholes protects the investment of time and materials in your project. Understanding the different styles and using the right type of buttonhole for the job will get you on your way.

AT LENGTH • Whether they’re waisted, peplum-ed or owing free … whether they’re striped, printed or brightly coloured … tops go to great lengths this summer …

Fast and...