Tips & Tricks

*         Watch Sandra Betzina's video on front fly zip
*          Check the fit while sitting down when making pants

This one's for Phillipa

Just a couple of snaps I took to show my niece Phillipa Collins.  When I was at Phillipa's in May we did some dyeing of doilies as Phil uses them in her kids' sewing projects.

Here are some samples of Phil's work

Leah, making felt

To shoulder pad or not to shoulder pad?

Hello everyone,

Below I have pasted a copy of a question I put on the wonderful site "Come sew lutterloh with me, thought I would post it here as well.

Seems like this would be a good place to post this question:

I have 'no shoulders' = they slope away like the ones in the above diagram.  My way of fixing this is to use small shoulder pads the foam kind.   i feel they improve my appearance, giving me a squarer shoulder and clothes hang better from them.

However my daughter (30yo) hates me in them.   on this past weekend I also had negative comments from 2 other women that they weren't flattering - one said they were dating me and the other said didn't look good because you could see them through my knitted sweater (jumper as we call them in Australia!)
I do feel strongly that they improve me but I don't want to be just stubborn and holding on to my own opinion if I am wrong.   What do u think.
BTW, i think it is so marvellous that we can share from all parts of the globe.  As I write this, I am propped up in bed, it's raining outside and I'm contemplating getting up and fantasizing about what i will sew with lutterloh today.   What a life!
My problem is i fantasize too much and leave too little time for sewing!

Lutterloh vest

After purchasing the Lutterloh system 8 years ago, I got it out of mothballs and now have 3 completed  vests plus 1 pair of pants that fit like a second skin!

This is my story of  Vest No. 3.

How beautiful is this?

A few years ago I purchased the most beautiful piece of handwoven fabric.  I purchased it at a wonderful craft shop in Sale, country Victoria, Australia.   It is wool and mohair.
 I have loved it but found it was sitting in one of my suitcases where I throw things and I would take it out occasionally and use it as a lap rug.  (Yuuum)  I recently moved Interstate, crossing the Australian Nullabor.  I figure that anything that survived the numerous cullings of my stash is very special indeed.

 I figured it was too beautiful to only use occasionally and after having made
two successful vests with the Lutterloh system I decided to take the plunge and cut into it.




As you can see, I have placed the pattern in such a way as to utilize the handmade fringe at either end.
I had to omit the shaped front edge of the pattern, but I figured it was worth it - having made ONE handwoven piece myself, I know it's too much work to throw away the fringe!
I'm glad I thought of this, usually, I would think of it after it's cut out!

Another view of the uncut fabric

I have a wonderful friend in Victoria named Stella who is a handweaver extraordinaaiirre and I thought of her often during this project.   I think she would have approved of me taking to this with the scissors (which i did  in great trepidation)  given what I consider to be the great outcome.  (Awaiting your comment Stella)

Now I just have to add a pic of the finished garment!

And fess up that I'm finding it strangely difficult to find something perfect to wear under it!  - Perhaps another Lutterloh!?