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 SEASONLESS EDGE

So Vintage Patterns • Some people are just born to love fashion! Lana Bain, of So Vintage Patterns, is one of them!

Lingerie Guards • Your new design is exquisite, it fits you perfectly, and you look like a dream − until you sit down and begin to move. Then, out of the blue, your wonderful, fashionable creation becomes possessed by the Evil Dress Spirit and becomes a rumpled mess, or it shifts and slides and your bra straps show. Alas, all hopes of projecting an elegant image are dashed.In these directions we'll take a close look at a variety of lingerie guards, which you can duplicate easily, so that you will look and feel as chic as anyone on the International Best Dressed list.

GREAT expectations • This is the time of the year to think about new beginnings … and if you’re expecting (or know someone who is) what’s needed is a versatile, easy wardrobe to take a mother-to-be through the next nine months – and those changes of season – in style! On these four pages – the essential building blocks of that wardrobe …

Take Five... • of the most versatile pieces that mix, match and layer to make a complete modern wardrobe that moves from season to season with the greatest of ease.

AMBER • Top, dresses, design your own style – this universal maternity pattern will have you feeling oh-so-glamorous with every look you create!

Relating Body Measurement to Your Pattern

Petite Pants • We have covered the bigger girl, the tall and the slim, so now’s the time to look at another figure shape … the short fuller figure. For this article, we look at the personal pant fitting adjustments for the person that stands at 157.5cm (5’2”) tall and is a size 14-16; all of which makes garments fitting, particularly pants, challenging.

QUICK CHANGE • Even the simplest changes can alter the entire look of a garment. Shortening the sleeves of a basic kimono-style jacket and adding a cuff, with a contrast fabric, can take the look from day to glamorous night time!

Narrow Shoulders • A drop shoulder can be a fashion statement, however more often than not it is because the person’s shoulders are narrow. Adjusting patterns is one thing, but adjusting a ready-to-wear garment is another. It is actually not a difficult alteration to make. If there is no topstitching, the alteration should take around 30 – 45 minutes.

An Ever Changing Wardrobe! • Kerryn has been working with thousands of women over the last 20 years that are struggling with their wardrobes not working for their profession, lifestyle, holiday destination or climate. Now, it is Kerry herself that has to adjust her wardrobe to fit her new life … one that has dramatically, and unexpectedly changed.

WHO FLARES, Wins • From structured A-lines to soft, oaty dresses, the best shapes of the season have real are.

Sun seekers • THE DRESS SHINES IN SUN-DRENCHED COLOURS AND SOFT, PRETTY, ‘SUMMER-Y’ PRINTS.

A new edge... • KATHERINE TILTON gives a fresh asymmetrical edge to casual everyday tops that will easily move into autumn ...

A Time to Learn – Part 1 • You’ve decided you would like to sew and probably have many projects already in mind. Before you go racing out to the fabric store, stop for the moment and learn a few of the fundamentals before you begin …

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