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.

Spring Ahead

Stretch Your Imagination! Tips on Sewing Two-way Knits • If you are new to sewing stretch fabrics or have never tried but want to learn, this is an article for you. We are often put off sewing this most versatile of fabrics, yet all we need to have is the appropriate patterns, needles and thread to do the job properly. Even then, we’re not sure if we should be sewing our garments on an overlocker, regular sewing machine or both. It just needs a little explanation to show how. Once you have perfected the appropriate techniques for this type of fabric, you will find out just how easy and enjoyable working with two-way stretch knits can be. Here are a few tips and techniques to get the best results.

Pockets • Cargo pants are very versatile and comfortable to wear. A simple patch pocket or pocket bag pattern can be the basis to creating three-dimensional cargo pockets on your favourite pants pattern.

The Essential Hand Stitches • Fine sewing is all about control – and much of that control is provided by hand stitches. They’re tools – marvellous tools to have at your disposal. Once you incorporate them into your sewing, you’ll find them fun to do, easy to apply, and completely indispensable.

All Time Favourites... • The long-line vest … The snappy striped jersey top … Flared jeans and slim shorts … All refreshed classics that are the solid building blocks of any wardrobe, and that will live on long after next spring.

...Spring Forward • There’s no better way to feel excited about spring than in a soft, easy dress… from versatile denim shirtdresses with skirts that swing (and flatter most shapes) to long and lovely lengths of pretty floral print that easily glide all the way into summer.

It’s All White... • But it certainly isn’t beyond the pale … finally out from the shadow of black and brights, white looks so right in easy, airy shirtdresses, breezy bohemian tunics and lavish, lace-kissed cocktail dresses. The cool grace of spring’s greatest (non) colour shines best in rich textures and soft, floating, nearly-sheer fabric, and works head-to-toe or even with blue denim …

Whats Hot

Lace! • Eddi always spoils me with a preview of his fashion trends & this was one I jumped at … lace and ath-leisure wear! Lace is a technical challenge and needs a little consideration for construction. If it were a couture garment, the techniques would be different, but a garment such as this, can be sewn the simple way.

Sewing Tricks From The Pros

Behind the Seams: Secrets for Taming Necklines

Plain Elegance! • Brother Sewing Machines offered me ‘The Dream Machine’ Innov-is XV8500D to test-run … and what a dream it is to use! With so many beautiful built-in designs it sent my creativity whirling. What was my first project going to be? One embroidery design continually came back to me – a stunning Zündt design (Menu 9, Design 004). This is how it went …

The Right Foot For The Job • Perfect binding on a garment is a joy to see, but many stitchers feel it requires too much effort to get good results. Many specialist feet can give a great helping hand when attempting jobs that are not done all that often. Wide rolled-hems and binding are made easier by choosing the right foot for the job.

Join the Ath-Leisure Movement... • ...