Tuesday, May 31, 2011

tackling the negroni shirt from Colette patterns



Tackeled the Negroni shirt pattern by Colette patterns.

Great details like the narrower collar and cuffs for a younger, fresher look. Also a slightly tailored fit yet without the use of darts or yoke.

Some issues you may have to consider if you take on this man's shirt.


  • may have to adjust the shoulders unless the guy has VERY squared shoulders. Current design can create shoulder blade drags and deep wrinkles.

  • instructions are easy to follow but some of the construction choices make this pattern more difficult to build than it should be, such as attaching the collar before the yoke gets "flipped". This makes for a wrestling match with the fabric - especially if you use a heavier shirt fabric like flannel.

Overall review: not bad.


A general query to all pattern making companies ..... why do we need a full 5/8" seam allowance? Most of the time the seam allowance gets trimmed (placket construction, collar attachment etc) also when using a serger. For more discussion re the topic, check out


http://fashion-incubator.com/archive/the-rules-on-seam-allowances/


For a quickie pattern to update your summer wardrobe, try the FREE sorbetto top by Colette found on her May 26, 2011 blog.


http://colettepatterns.com/blog




Monday, May 23, 2011

June issue Threads magazine



Check out the June edition of Threads sewing magazine. Vancouver BC is mentioned as a sewing destination listing various fashion fabric stores in the area. Gala Fabrics got first mention in a thoughtful article by Kathleen Cheetham - designer and owner of Petite Plus patterns.






If you haven't been in our stores, come down and find out what Kathleen is talking about!






Haven't heard about Petite Plus patterns? Kathleen designs classic clothing patterns for the 5'2" full figured woman (narrow shoulders, D-cup bra, rounded tummy and full curves everywhere.) If you think you see yourself in this description, have a look at her pattern catalog at either Gala location or at her website:






Thursday, May 5, 2011

tribute to mums and mothers of mums

A tribute to mums and mothers of mums ...


Remember when your mum or grandmother wore an apron?


The principle use of the apron was to protect the clothes underneath because the apron was easier to wash.
But it was also handy to wipe away children's tears or clean up dirty faces. Or dusting off furniture before company came, or grabbing hot pans from the oven. Just imagine all the possible germs on that apron! But I don't think anyone caught anything from the apron but love.

Here is the original Grandma's Apron poem penned by Tina Trivett.


The strings were tied, it was freshly washed and maybe even pressed.

For Grandma, it was everyday to choose one when she dressed.

The simple apron that it was, you would never think about; the things she used it for, that made it look worn out.


She may have used it to hold some wildflowers that she'd found.

Or to hide a crying child's face when a stranger came around.

Imagine all the little tears that were wiped with just that cloth.

Or it became a potholder to serve some chicken broth.


She probably carried kindling to stoke the kitchen fire.

To hold a load of laundry, or to wipe the clothesline wire.

When canning all her vegetables, it was used to wipe her brow.

You never know, she might have used it to shoo flies from the cow.


She might have carried eggs in from the chicken coop outside.

Whatever chore she used it for, she did them all with pride.

When Grandma went to heaven, God said she now could rest.

I'm sure the apron that she chose, was her Sunday best.




Happy Mother's Day!!