Sewing hack #4

Hi guys,

I arrived Down Under for some kangaroo spotting. After Canada I really got the hang of spotting animals with my binocular. I’m looking forward to seeing some kangaroos here in Australia.

 In the meantime I have another sewing tip for you. Sometimes your pins are a little stubborn and don’t want to go through the fabric. To make this easier you can put your pins in a piece of soap. This way you can push them through the fabric smoothly.

 What is your sewing project for the moment? Let me know in the comments!

 See you later, alligator!

 Dollie

How to sew a Chilean poncho

Hi guys,

 I’m in Chile, one of the Latin-American countries where the poncho is part of the traditional clothing. The traditional poncho in Chile is called a Chamanto. This is woven in silk thread and wool. The edges are finished with a ribbon. The traditional colors are grey, brown, red, black and white. What makes these Chamanto’s special is that they are reversible, as both sides are fully finished. The dark side is used during the day, and the light side is mostly worn at night.

 I wouldn’t be a real fashion designer if didn’t design my own poncho for my visit to Chile. So I did! This is one of the easiest clothing pieces to make. It’s even a good one to make with your leftover fabrics.

Let’s get started!

Poncho

1. What do you need?

2. Cut out a rectangle of 10 cm x 20 cm out of plain fabric

3. Cut out

- 2 rectangles of 1 cm x 20 cm

- 3 rectangles of 1 cm x 10 cm

- 1 rectangle of 2 cm x 10 cm out of the printed fabric

4. Sew the printed rectangles to the corresponding sides of the plain rectangle, as seen on the picture.

5. Cut out a hole for the head in the middle of the poncho by folding it in the length and cutting the two pieces of fabric at once.

Have fun!

 Dollie

Do you want to build a snowman?

Hi there,

 I travelled from Canada to Greenland last week. I came here to build a snowman and enjoy the cozy wintertime. My outfit hints at the traditional Greenlandic clothing a little, as they also use bright colors and patterns for their sweaters. I definitely need my hat and scarf here.

 The people in Greenland live very close to the nature. They use every part of animals that are caught during hunting. The meat is used to eat and the skin is, even until today, used for clothing like the traditional outfits.

 They use skins of seals, polar bears, reindeer, foxes and rabbits. Because the temperature can drop to -50°C in winter, these are the best materials to keep them warm.

 Today, the people in Greenland still use their national costume on occasions like Christmas, Easter, Greenland’s National Day, and weddings.

 The first day of school is also a great celebration. Six-year-old girls and boys are usually dressed in national costumes on this special day.

 Do you still have a national costume in your country?

 Have a nice day!

 Dollie

5 tips for effortless sewing!

Hi guys,

I’m in Canada for some moose spotting this week. To keep you busy I have some sewing tips for you!

1.     Do some research

Before you start sewing, do research for the pattern you are using. Maybe someone else has made this before you and shared some tips? Or check out the YouTube channel of Dress Your Doll for more helpful tips and video-manuals.

2.     Copy your pattern

Maybe you want to make the same piece multiple times, in different fabrics. Then it would be useful to copy your pattern and use the copy to actually trace your pattern on the fabric. This way your original pattern stays nice and clean!

3.     Collect your supplies

Before you start your project, make sure you gather all the supplies needed. Nothing is more annoying than having to get up every time you realize you are missing something you need. So spread out your tools on the table and make sure they are close by in case you need them. Maybe you can make a special sewing box with all the necessary supplies in it.

4.     Do it your way

Is there something in the pattern you don’t like as much, or you want to make a small adaptation? Don’t hesitate to do it your way! You will enjoy sewing more if you are absolutely free. And you will have a unique piece!

Don’t forget to share your creations with us by sending a picture to info@verachtert.be or posting on social media with the hashtag #dressyourdoll.

5.     Take a break

Nothing good can come from working frustrated or tired. Take a break every once in a while to keep your head clear and make some beautiful creations.

Good luck sewing!

See you later,

Dollie

Aloha, Hawaii

Aloha!

 I’m at Hawaii for the moment. After all of the festivities in Mexico I really had some relaxing to do! Hawaii is perfect to spend some time on the beach and learning how to surf. I can’t wait to catch some waves soon.

 I discovered the origin of the Aloha shirt here, which is really funny actually. The shirt used to be a shirt for work in one color, called the palaka, for men. Over time, they added prints to the fabric. In the 1920’s the American tourists started going to Hawaii on a holiday and the first shirts inspired by the palaka were sold to them.

 It was Ellery J. Chun who started producing the shirts to sell them to the big crowds. Surfers started wearing them and the shirts became very popular amongst the soldiers. When they left for the Pacific and Asia after World War II, they took the shirts with them.

 After the war, businessmen in Honolulu were allowed to wear the Aloha shirt from June till October, instead of their suits with tie. In the early sixties, designers came up with some more quiet prints and Aloha Friday was introduced: on Fridays, employees could wear an Aloha shirt. This was even the inspiration for Casual Friday as we know it!

 Nowadays, employees can wear Aloha shirts all the time. I guess it makes the offices look a lot more fun than with boring suits!

 Another interesting fact is that some of the shirts are printed on the inside, to make the colors look less bright on the outside. It’s called ‘Reverse print’. This is a smart technique I might use sometime!

 Even on relaxing days I get inspired!

 See you soon, guys!

 Dollie