Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Stunning Knits to Sew!


          
Sew up a stunning knit dress! 
          
        
Pattern - Vogue 8871 - Misses' Dress - Very Easy Vogue
Don't you just love the pattern with the pop of color in the shoes?
This close-fitting, flared, pullover dress has an elegant narrow hem. Make it knee length or longer, with or without sleeves.
Tip
Beginners take note - sleeveless is easier!
Intermediates - sleeveless is faster.

We think it would be beautifully flowy in our drapy rayon knits.

Here are a few stunning choices.



Vogue suggests lightweight knits such as jersey and ponte knits which we also carry! For real 

beginners the ponte will be easier.


Solids - Ponte Knits
      

        
What is a muslin test garment?
        
Sewists make a  muslin "test" garment and fit it before  cutting into beautiful fashion fabric. It may seem like more work, but it is essential if you want to personalize the fit of the garment.

Need help fitting your test muslin?
Come to a Sew Lab where our teachers can help you fit it!
Many sessions to choose from during the week!
        
Isn't that a lot of work to make two garments for one pattern?
        
The test garment is made with basting stitches which makes the process faster than you would think. First time mistakes are often made on the test garment, making the finished garment of higher quality and easier to sew.
        
Want help making one?
        
Once Lynda helps you translate the necessary changes  to your paper pattern, you will be good to go! Lynda works her magic  and sculpts your customized muslin to your unique figure. Learn your  figure's characteristics and personalize adjustments to customize  patterns for a flattering fit.
        
Tips
        
These tips are in answer to a question from one of our students.
        
"If one of the patterns I  want to fit is a pattern for knits, do I make the muslin in a knit or a  woven?  I would think it should be a knit, but am not sure."
        

          
 If  the  knit  is  stable  (wool  doubleknit)  then  test  the  fit  in  muslin.  The  main  thing  with  fitting  knits  is  to  find  a  knit  with  exactly  the  same  amount  of  stretch  for  the  test  garment.
          
        
Lynda Maynard
        
          
When making a "muslin" the fabric of the final garment should be closely matched with a similar fabric - but less expensive.

For example, if making a silk charmeuse garment, use a poly-charmeuse or another fabric that has a similar drape and hand.
          
Be aware that when using knits, the "muslin" knit fabric should be close to the same degree of stretch and weight as the final garment and also check to make sure that both fabrics either have one-way stretch or a two-way stretch.
        
        
          
Barbara Beccio

          
Do you have a question that you would liked answered?
          
        
        
          
 February is Black History Month!
          
          
Come by and check out our fabulous African prints!
 
        
      
    
  

Thursday, February 7, 2013

32 Years in Berkeley! Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics is a miracle!

        
May you enjoy many years of sewingWith luscious fabrics, good company, exciting classes, and more!
        
      

        
Thank you for 32 years of support, friendship, and patronage
          
at Stonemountain & Daughter
            
        
   
        
Thank you to our wonderful sewing community -  fashion sewists, quilters, and  DIYers everywhere!  

          
Be sure to catch the Decades of Style Trunk show at Stonemountain!
          
and many more patterns from Decades of Style!
      
    

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Valentines Wishes


Happy Valentine's Day from 
Stonemountain & Daughter!
        
        

        
Stonemountain and Daughter classes are a great way to open up design possibilities, improve your skills, or learn to sew! 

 

Students in our Beginning and Beyond 101 class! 

Here is a great beginner project to jump into our 101 Beginning and Beyond class or our Beginning and Beyond 102 class with a lot of fashion flare.
  Perfect for a beginner, it will start you off right!
          
New Sewaholic Patterns from Canada!
          
        
        
Especially for beginners, this is the perfect flared skirt! A  wardrobe essential, the Hollyburn Skirt has just the right amount of  flare. It sits right at the waist for maximum figure flattery, and  features super practical pockets! This skirt pattern  includes three different lengths with three different amounts of flare.  The shorter the skirt, the more flared the silhouette!    
        
   
        
Both make for a cute and fresh look in our designer cottons!  
        
Add Design and style to this Skirt.  
        
Additional details add emphasis to the waistline with optional button tabs to feature pretty buttons!


Hollyburn skirt is perfect for beginners!  
        
Pattern includes extra-thorough sewing instructions and detailed sewing diagrams. Perfect for your first garment project!
        
Hollyburn skirt is easy to wear, simple to sew!   

        
More advanced sewists may want to tweak the pattern a little and try it in a rayon knit for a flowier look.     
        
          
            
Rayon Knits 
           
Intermediates might also like to try this intermediate skirt from Sewaholic.  
        
        
 
        
          
This gathered skirt has swing and a nice yoke for fitting ease.    
  
New Sewaholic Pattern!
        
This adorable jacket from Sewaholic is good for intermediate sewers...Beginners can plan ahead - it would be such a cute outfit with the Hollyburn Skirt. Intermediate and advanced sewers can easily sew up the skirt and the jacket together over a weekend and be ready to rock out a cute new look!
        
          
Beginners - once you have made your Hollyburn skirt you can repeat Beginning and Beyond 101 with the teacher of your choice and master this jacket!  
          
For those of you with less time Beginning and Beyond 102 is another smart option! 
          

          
A feminine fitted jacket that creates an instant hourglass figure!  This great-fitting modern jacket is perfect for work, weekend or a  special night out.
          
   
          
 Selected Wools - Half off - upstairs.  
          

          
This jacket would be a real classic in our wools. Whether you pick a dressy fabric like dupioni, or a weekend fabric  like corduroy, this jacket is sure to become a wardrobe favorite!
          

The Sewaholic jacket has Princess seams and peplum seaming form a  flattering silhouette.  Choose  from a flirty double peplum, or keep  things simple with flat  peplum  seaming instead.  
          

          
Our Sew Labs are a great place to get the extra fitting help and council that will help you take your projects all the way!   
          

          
Anthropologie has something very similar to this jacket in a knit fabric. Why not make it yourself?
        
      
        
So many fabrics to choose from at Stonemoutain & Daughter!
        
          
          Cotton Prints for Valentine's Day!
      

        
Check out our new Pinterest for pictures and tips and many fun projects to sew for Valentine's Day!