Stitch n Wear | Sewing and alterations

Stitch n Wear

Phone: +61 411 436 115

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25.01.2022 Gorgeous bride, Shan in her wedding dress showing her unique style and elegance. Pictured also with the very cute Pip in matching dress. Thanks Shan for the beautiful photos.

24.01.2022 Just finishing up a project I have made for sale in time for the Spring Racing season. The top is fully lined embroidered taffeta, back buttoned with handmade matching buttons. There is a flattering peplum at the waist. The skirt is below knee and is also fully lined, featuring pleats on a yoke and it has pockets! This is a one-off outfit and will not be repeated as I only had enough fabric for one top. It is sized 12-14 and generously modelled by Annie. A matching hat is also available for a complete look for a day at the races.

23.01.2022 Loving the gathering foot on my sewing machine. Makes quick work of 11 metres of ruffle.

23.01.2022 Oceans of tulle to add to an unusual wedding dress. Enjoying putting it together and hoping my bride will love my creation.

23.01.2022 Have just handed over the last of the modified bridesmaid dresses to a lovely group of ladies for Saturdays wedding. Also included were special dresses for two very sweet young girls. The entire bridal party was a delight to sew for and I have enjoyed the whole adventure.

21.01.2022 Looking forward to first dress fitting for my latest bride. Scottish ancestory being incorporated into her dress and grooms attendants accessories. Lovely colours in the tartan.

21.01.2022 I am always warning of the dangers of buying clothing on line but with time short and my dance card full, I suggested that my daughter purchase a Gatsby costume on line. Simple design so shouldnt get into too much trouble, hey? Well, it duly arrived and I was once again astounded at the manufacturing of the garment. The dress part was made with lycra which is stretchy but the rows of fringing, sadly, are not. What on earth were they thinking? This means that the width of the... dress can never be more than the circles of rigid fringing. Options were not great. 1. Remove all the fringing and resew it stretching the dress as much as possible. This will create a shortfall of fringing that I would have to fill in. 2. Leave the fringing as is but split the side seams and add a couple of inserts of lycra. Still required additional fringing but maybe slightly less work. Went with option 2 and it appears to have rescued it. First pic shows the inserts and the fun part of attaching the extra fringing. It kept getting caught up with the foot on the machine. Fringing can come with a securing thread at the bottom. Tip: best to leave this intact until its attached. The tassels can then be gently eased out of the holding threads. See more

20.01.2022 On schedule for the September weddings with one group of 4 dresses being enhanced with lace overlays, plus an off the rack junior bridesmaid dress being altered to complement older bridesmaids. Another delightful bride with an unconventional dress for her big day underway as well. Also working on some lovely silk ruffled neck dresses and beautiful retro satin slips with matching silk panties. Love the feel of satin? Silk satin makes up beautifully into blouses, evening wear, bridal and bridal party wear. For sheer indulgence luxurious sleepwear, too.

19.01.2022 Perfect day to spend with my sewing machine. Lets hope we have fun!

19.01.2022 Happy New Year to my facebook friends! Dont forget Stitch n wear can help with alterations to school uniforms so remember to get in early to avoid the last minute rush. Stitch n wear can also help with sewing lessons for beginners to advanced; custom designed and made day wear; formal gowns, ... bridal gowns; alterations to store bought garments; and household items such as cushion covers. All the best for 2019!

19.01.2022 Having a bit of a break at the moment and missing my sewing machines but will be back in April. Looking forward to resuming lessons and projects and starting new ones with all the inspiration I have been getting in our travels. The colours are amazing. Some unique wedding designs in the offering. So, if you are planning to marry in the second half of 2019 and are looking for something different in weddings outfit or gown feel free to send a message. I promise I will return your call as promptly as Telstra coverage allows.

19.01.2022 Replacing a zipper in a garment can be tricky and stretch fabric even more so, but it can be done without the puckers and bumps that come with using a zipper foot. The secret is to stabilize the seam allowance with interfacing and to flip it and sew with the zipper tape uppermost and the fabric on the bottom. Spending a little time preparing the zip by tacking it in place helps give a "just like new" finish.

19.01.2022 Busy times ahead. Fabrics all washed and ready for cutting grandsons shirts and their mums top for an upcoming "tropical party". Also finishing a cocktail dress for a young friend and starting a mock up of a skirt for a wedding dress for a Feb wedding. Lots of fun in the Christmas lead up.

18.01.2022 Gorgeous bride, Cam, sent through some lovely photos of her wedding to show me her bridesmaids dresses. I had refashioned the ones the girls had purchased from a store to get the look she was going for. An overlay of stunning gold lace was added to very nice navy dresses to make them truly unique. The junior bridesmaid dress was also refashioned by removing the bodice and replacing it with one made from the same gold lace and new navy underlining. Stunning Hari also completed the group with a Mushroom coloured satin outfit of fashionable shorts with a long over-skirt. Result...she looked beautiful!!

18.01.2022 Back to school has come around so quickly, once again. Where do the weeks go? Time to get uniforms ready for another year and Stitch n Wear The Gap can help get those hems and alterations sorted. Call or message now to ensure your booking.

18.01.2022 Have you ever gone shopping and found a garment that fits really well everywhere except for one place. In this instance the sleeve cuff was a little snug. By shifting the buttons on the cuffs I can have a little more wriggle room. The elastic loop is really tiny as well so I think I will make a slightly larger loop. The stitching holding the loop will need to be unpicked and an ever so slightly bigger loop put in in its place. Easy fixes like this can also help if the garment... is a bit too tight across the bust. The buttons may be able to be moved over just enough to make the garment well fitting. So, when trying on pieces that look good on you except for one thing, be it shifting buttons, taking it in with appropriate darts, or maybe shortening or lengthening, dont disregard the whole thing. Take a closer look to see if reasonable adjustments could be made. See more

16.01.2022 I purchased a coat last year and wore it a couple of times but the sleeves were always uncomfortable. There was a tie on them that came undone and a double knot didnt look right. The length of the coat could be shorter as well. So, I removed the tie ends on the sleeves and cut off 15cm from the hem and used the fabric to make a ruffle. With a little imagination garments can be repurposed for no more cost than a bit of time.

14.01.2022 Well, back home now after 11 weeks of travelling the East coast of the Australian mainland and then a goodly portion of Tasmania. Lots of places and things to see and do and quite a few on the list for next time. No sewing machines on the trip so looking forward to getting some sewing done.

13.01.2022 I received the following review from a very nice lady in Melbourne. I was able to make some adaptable clothing for her Mum. The nighties were double backed and open at the shoulder to help her carers dress her more easily. Also made a day dress for when she has visitors. Feedback/ testimonial- Contacted Mary with a request for some specialty clothing to be made for my elderly mother. Mary was just lovely and so helpful to correspond with. My mother is so pleased to be w...earing something so well handmade, pretty and right for her. With the warmer weather the day dress is getting plenty of wear. Warm regards, Michelle.

13.01.2022 Almost finished hand sewing the hem on one of 5 layers of skirts on the updated wedding dress. It has taken just over 2 hrs. Two layers of organza, two layers of tulle and finally the lining layer.

13.01.2022 Spent a delightful couple of hours with a young mum newbie sewer yesterday afternoon. She had purchased a new sewing machine and was a little hesitant getting to know it. We worked our way through the basics and she is off and running now. We also looked at what are the necessities for a sewing room and touched on accurate measurements and the role they play in getting a well fitting garment. She is hoping to make costumes for her two little ballerinas so she is well on h...er way to making this happen. It only requires a bit of confidence and creative ideas will flow. Next weekend we are going to meet at Spotlight for a field trip where I will help her through the process of purchasing a pattern and the most suitable fabrics to use for that garment. Also, we will look at notions, ie threads, interfacing, bias binding. etc. I did enjoy my time with Dakota and I am looking forward to passing on my sewing knowledge of over 50 years to the next generation of home sewers. One-on-one lessons are available for $40/hour. Phone Mary on 0411 436 115 for an appointment to get you on your way to sewing for yourself or your family.

13.01.2022 Have you ever bought a button through top or dress and it was just a tiny bit snug in the bust? I came across an idea while ironing a shirt. There was a strip of twill tape down the front of the shirt on the band near the buttons. It was purely decorative but got me thinking. What if a strip of cotton twill tape was added to the band and the button was moved over just enough to make the shirt fit more comfortably? I also had another shirt that was ridiculously long so I used what I cut off the hem to make an extension to the front band. The buttons were then moved 1/4 inch over to give a bit more room. The twill tape is readily available and I think Coles has it in the sewing bits and bobs. It could be hand stitched if no machine is available. Hey presto - no more gaping at the bust button on your shirt.

10.01.2022 I am pretty sure kids dont want to think about uniforms for next year, just now, and I know for a fact that parents are dreading organizing uniforms for next year, but inevitably its going to happen, ready or not. The one size fits all approach can be frustrating for students and parents alike. If you find you are faced with almost ball gown lengths for the girls dresses and way too big in the waist for the boys shorts, perhaps Stitch n Wear can help get your child back t...o school in uniforms in which they can be confident and proud. Generous hems can be left for the growth spurt which as we all know will happen. Tucks taken now can be let out again as well. Feel free to contact me when it gets closer to school resuming as we know they will grow like weeds over the summer break. Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to my followers. See more

09.01.2022 A sparkly zipper can breathe new life into a favourite garment that has lost the original zip. Diamante zips are not cheap but are strong and can add some interest to something that may have been discarded.

07.01.2022 BEACH WEDDING OR SCHOOL FORMAL Lovely, light gown perfect for a summer garden or beach wedding. Size 10-12 Petite. This gown is brand new and hand-made right here in The Gap, with the floral fabric being vintage organza embroidered with softest pink flowers with green leaves. This gown is a one-off and will not be reproduced as the fabric is now unobtainable. It has a V-neck with thin organza straps and is lined with deep pink to show through the long line bodice on this t...rumpet style gown. The top layer of the skirt is white organza while the pink layer is crystal organza. There are a two layers of tulle and 2 lining layers forming a small train. Invisible zip in side seam. This is a very lightweight gown and could also be worn to a Formal. Only worn by the dressmakers model. Measurements are for the garment and are as follows: Bust - 88cm; waist 82cm; hips 98cm; length from shoulder to hem 138cm. The gown is located at The Gap, Brisbane. Phone 0411 436115 $295 See more

06.01.2022 I am working on an exciting project at the moment. I am adding a lace overlay to ready made bridesmaid dresses. Enjoying the challenge of working out what looks best on the first of four. The other three will go smoother once I get the brides vision to come to life.

05.01.2022 You know those jobs you say "when I retire Ill have time to do it"? Well, Im now retired from the workforce and really loving the time to sew, but before I do any more sewing, Im going to sort out all the stray pieces of pattern that have been pulled out of their packets and used in conjunction with another pattern. Thankfully, I have a pattern inventory cheerfully compiled by Chloe Huchet that I can use as a reference as to which category/drawer the pattern is in. Although there are 16 pages the pattern number and description will tell me where to look for its friends. I am looking forward to crossing this job off my list.

05.01.2022 I have launched my new website for Stitch n Wear so pop on over and check it out. I will be closing Beautiful Brisbane Weddings website as of November 2019. www.stitchnwearthegap.com.au

04.01.2022 A lovely young woman brought her jumpsuit for repair. The invisible zip had failed and it was always giving trouble catching on the lace so I put in a Swarovski crystal zip to replace it. I have been assured that it is of sturdy construction. I wasnt able to get the full 50cm opening so opted for a combination of crystal zip and crystal buttons. The zipper tape is robust so would not have sat properly in the lace part, anyway. Crystal zippers are quite expensive but do look lovely if you are partial to a bit of bling.

04.01.2022 FINISHED! I have finally come to the end of cataloguing my collection of patterns and the number didnt quite reach 1000, coming in at 785. Anyway, I am glad I have finished and I can get my kitchen bench back. There were some patterns that went back to the 70s and could be worn today, so I havent thrown anything away as everything old is new again. Having another lesson with young mum, Dekota on Sunday morning and I am enjoying my time with her. We spent a productive a...fternoon a couple of weeks ago at Spotlight, discussing how to buy patterns and what sort of fabric to use. Last week we cut out a very nice skirt and this weekend sewing will begin. Looking forward to that. Loved the captions on these vintage pattern (surprisingly, I dont have these!)

03.01.2022 Just working on the hem on a gold satin skirt. Perfect for race day teamed with a black taffeta top embroidered with gold thread and hand-made matching buttons. Thank you to the lovely Annie for being a live model for me.

02.01.2022 Busy couple of days coming up with quite a few alterations to garments and decorator pieces. Also, making a couple of tops and slacks for a special needs customer looking to revamp her wardrobe. She has severe curvature of the spine so off the rack clothing do not fit her. Patterns have been adjusted to allow extra length and pleating in the back but shortened in the front. Slacks have also been adjusted similarly.

02.01.2022 Hello Just doing what everyone else is doing. Fixing my blocked posts. I wondered where everybody had been! This is good to know. Its ridiculous to have lots of friends and only 25 are allowed to see posts. I ignored this post earlier because I didnt think it worked. It WORKS!! I have a whole new news feed. Im seeing posts from people I havent seen in years. Heres how to bypass the system FB now has in place that limits posts on your news feed. Their new algorithm choo...ses the same few people - about 25 - who will read your posts. So hold your finger down anywhere in this post and "copy" will pop up. Click "copy". Then go to your page, start a new post, and put your finger anywhere in the blank field. "Paste" will pop up and click "paste". This will bypass the system. If you are reading this message, do me a favor and leave me a quick comment...a "hello," a sticker, whatever you want, so you will appear in my newsfeedIt WORKS!! I dont know how many friends I have. I just want to see all of your posts that I have been missing. We shall see.....hello. Might as well have a go . Because all I see now days is advertising rubbish See more

02.01.2022 Stitch n Wear is able to help with alterations and dressmaking having over 50 years experience in sewing.

02.01.2022 A second time bride was looking for a tea length dress for her upcoming wedding but couldnt find anything suitable. She purchased a gown with a train and brought it to me to have the train cut off and shortened to tea length. While the bride had the dress on I noticed that with a few minor alterations the dress will fit like it was made for her. I found the best way to get the hems level was to put the dressmakers model on my dining room table and found that was easier than trying to work at floor level. So, 4 hems, tucks in the back, shoulders and bust the dress is transformed. No pictures though until after the wedding.

01.01.2022 I have finally come up with a plan to file the large number of paper patterns I have accumulated over the years. I went down the plastic ziplock bag track but didnt find it suited my purposes all that well so have come up with a solution that is just right for me. A couple of months ago I purchased 3 sets of 2-drawer lateral filing cabinets from a second hand office furniture place and my long suffering husband kindly loaded them up on the trailer and manhandled them into ...position. These are wide drawers similar to those used in the fabric shops. When I moved the patterns from their old home they decided to rearrange themselves and were out of order in more ways than one. Anyway, time to tackle the problem of many sewers out there....how to properly house the patterns so that they are easily found again. First step, off to Kmart to purchase a laminating machine ($29) and pouches $18 for 100 (this could end up costing a small fortune), and envelopes. I chose the C5 size and they are $3 for a pack of 25. To round it off I bought 4 lever arch folders to hold the pattern packets. I spent a quiet couple of hours last night watching The Scorpion King and Agatha Raison getting started on the process. This is the procedure I worked on so that I didnt get in an awful mess. 1. Remove the pattern and direction sheets from the packet 2. Write on the top right hand corner of the envelope details of the pattern ie number V4567 (V for Vogue), add the sizes written on the packet. 3. Top left hand side I note what section I will be filing it under eg Dresses, Evening & Bridal, Pants, Skirts, etc. 4. Put the now empty pattern packet (make sure you check inside the packet for any tiny little bits of pattern), into a laminating pouch and place it so that it is more to the right hand side. I chose the bottom right but anywhere would be suitable, leaving enough room on the left hand side to put the holes for the lever arch folder. The packets come out beautifully preserved with both front and back visible. 5. Next bit is to divide them up into the categories and I have gone with the ones usually used by the pattern companies. I have filed them Alph numerically and will mirror this in the filing drawers. I knew all that filing I did as a clerk would come in handy one day. 6. Final job is to enter all the patterns into a master list in an Excel spreadsheet and my niece, Chloe Huchet will be helping with this. So now I have a functional system for keeping patterns organised and safe. Also a way to be able to put that pattern piece that gets missed in the pack-up back into its proper envelope. It is amazing how many patterns can be accumulated in 50 years of collecting and this is a HUGE undertaking as I am guesstimating that I have between 800 - 1000 patterns, but I am still keen to get it done. I will have to record some more distracting movies to get me through this, I think. Wish me luck!! See more