I also found that I like Open Library instead of Google e-books because of the ease of opening their files for preview before you download. I found it difficult on Google’s site. If you download the “pdf” version, you don’t need an e-reader to actually read them on your computer although you might have to convert them to e-pub files to read them on your e-reader.

Enjoy!

Online Books:

The Practical Designer for Women’s and Men’s Underwear

Scientific Sewing and Garment Cutting for Use in Schools and in the Home

Ladies Cutting Made Easy

Household Sewing with Home Dressmaking

Garment Drafting by Simple Rule Method

The Dressmaker

Last summer I baked in capri’s and tops even when it hit 100 degrees. I don’t wear shorts and don’t particularly care for sleeveless tops but find it necessary when it’s that hot. I’ve been thinking of wardrobe capsules for summer and I have an idea.

I was browsing Neiman Marcus and had an idea to wear skirts just above the knee with v-neck sleeveless tops and covered with a light over blouse when I had to leave the house. Of course, I would love to sew these in silk but I think the care and cost would be prohibitive.

I would probably sew 3 skirts, 4 tops and 2 over blouses in complementary colors. I love aqua and perhaps creme to go with it? Pastels, of course – the palest of pastels.

I want the skirts to have either an elastic waist or partly elastic with a zipper. The v-necks I prefer to be modest.

Sounds like a plan to me!

This jacket from Coldwater Creek is in a color I adore and the details on it are unique. It is collarless, has invisible zippers in the sleeves and pockets and has princess lines. I even like the buttons! Another unique detail is the grosgrain ribbon down the placket. I think I’ll use this as inspiration!

There are many different types of princess seams and this one goes just above the sleeves, almost to the shoulders. I can’t find a pattern that mimics this detail but I did find this one from Vogue 7975:

It’s not exactly the same but it’s close. The outer lines could be made the same although the princess seams are different. It’s an older pattern and I worry about the shoulder line. How far does it extend? Time for a toile!

Popular on Pattern Review

I bought this pattern at Walmart the other day hoping it would be a good “go to” pattern. Then I was browsing through Pattern Review and found it was very popular a few years ago. What relief! Perhaps I should do that the other way around next time!

Some of the people who had sewn it are shaped like I am. Providing I choose the right fabric mine should look similiar.

One of my earliest memories of the sewing machine was my Mom sewing my dress for my brother’s wedding. She let me pick out the fabric and pattern and everyone sure paid attention to me! It was an afternoon wedding and quite somber but I had the prettiest bright pink slip dress with a lace overdress. I can remember all 12 years of me insisting on that pattern. Doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Not until you picture a chubby little girl in it! It was a sight to see, I’ll tell ya!

That was the beginning of my interest of sewing tho. I remember her stitching that up really fast and I asked her where she learned to sew like that. She told me about working in a sewing factory when she was young.

I think the first thing I made was a pillowcase in school and followed it with a dirndryl skirt. Then I started sewing at home while I was in high school. One time I had quite a heated discussion with my Mom about technique. I also remember I had to eat crow and ask for her help too. She patiently demonstrated how it went together. She was a good teacher and could show me just about anything I needed to know. It was a Singer treadle machine and I remember when  my father put a motor on it – we were soooo excited!

Then I sewed for my kids. Little one piece jumpsuits that I tried to make cute because there wasn’t cute clothes for boys at that time. I also sewed for myself.

Years later I made my daughter-in-law’s wedding gown. We copied a $5,000 gown from Bride’s Magazine and the first one took me nine months. It turned out to be a muslin (who smokes around satin?) and the final one took a week. The zipper split just before the nuptials and I had to sew her up in the bathroom. Lesson learned – use a good zip. It was quite the day! :O)

A few years later I taught two of my granddaughters how to make skirts. It was kinda fun but I don’t know if I’m a good teacher or not! They’d have to tell ya!

So I guess my brain has engaged now. Can you understand how excited I am about all the attachments that go with my machine? I doubt I’ll use half of them but I love having them!

Dresses: Vogue, Butterick, McCalls, Burda, Kwik-Sew, Simplicity.

Jackets: Vogue, Butterick, McCalls, Burda, Kwik-Sew, Simplicity.

Separates: Vogue, Butterick, McCalls, Burda, Kwik-Sew, Simplicity.

Peony by Colette Patterns

I was just surfing and ran across the Peony by Colette Patterns. She must be an indie pattern maker – I’ve never heard of her but this is exactly the dress I had in mind for my Cour Four. I have beige and camel crepe that will sew up beautifully!

My initial plan is to go through my closets – both of them. All two of them! Needless to say, downsizing to live here was difficult. I’m moving this summer to be closer to my children so I don’t want to purge too much but it has to be workable in the meantime. Hopefully that will give me a little more space to stash stuff!

My kitchen is very small and I’m using every square foot already. My only other option is the bedroom – which currently houses a bookcase, my desk and printer stand, a big dresser and a queen sized bed with a nightstand. Cozy and comfortable but I have to work to keep it organized because clutter makes it look, and me feel disorganized.

My future plan is to give my son my desk, (I bought a laptop stand from Walmart for $15), and change my bed from a queen to a twin size. What do I need a queen size bed for? This will give me enough room to set up a small sewing area. In the meantime I’ll have to use the living room for my sewing machine, ironing board, fabric and notions. Can anyone say cluttered?

The best web resources I could find on organizing small sewing spaces have been: French Onion Find’s Organizing Small Sewing Spaces, Whipstitch Modern Sewing Organizing Your Sewing Space: Small Spaces, and eHow’s How to Organize for Sewing in 9 Square Feet.

Sewingsupport.com also has numerous free patterns for organizers on their website.