I just came from your “why you should stop using commercial patterns video” and I IMMEDIATELY see the value in creating your own blocks. I haven’t sewn any clothes yes, but since I’m fat and have issues with finding patterns with my measurements, I think I’m going to go in guns blazing trying to figure this out! Thank you SO MUCH for demystifying the process!!

@thebookwyrmslair6757

Жыл бұрын

Same. I am finishing a hand-sewn cape for one kid, making a dress for each kid, then I'm going to make a block. Tall, fat, extremely high-waisted, 35in inseam.... NOTHING fits me right. 😂😂

If one wanted to avoid seeing bra straps, and also have a neckline that was on that borderline, or narrower shoulder straps: Add loops with snaps on the garment near the hollow above or below the collarbone. The loops can be hooked around the bra straps to keep them from sliding out from under the strap. (I suggest near the collarbone so you reach with both hands and can see what you’re doing in a mirror if necessary. Yes, I realized the hard way that while snapping snaps together should be an easy one handed endeavour - it sometimes isn’t.) Also a useful, and easy, modification on ready to wear tank tops. Alternatively, if your bra has straps that can be unhooked on at least one end to reconfigure them, you can sew tubes out of any fabric you like to slide over them. Possibly with interfacing to keep them looking crisp. Or if the straps can be unhooked from both ends, just make your own bra straps. And if they can’t be unhooked, you could remove them permanently, and replace them with fabric straps, or bra strap elastic with G-hooks, that can be hooked into lips you sew onto the bra. Do remember that the reason the straps on bras are adjustable is so that straps can be tightened or loosened during the day, or as the elastic/fabric stretches over time - so even though you know how long you need them, that adjustablity might be worth retaining.

@lynn858

2 жыл бұрын

Also, cute neckline. I should go take another stab at reworking a top I banished to the naughty bin.

@lynn858

2 жыл бұрын

… I’m going to give myself points for creativity and ambition, and reuse the fabric for something else. Yikes.

OK - I'm an almost complete non-sewer (who, despite that shortcoming, so enjoys your channel) - and, to me, dart manipulation is magic. Witchcraft. Sorcery. I love to marvel at, and listen to you narrate, the spectacle ❤️

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Kate!

That was fun to watch! I absolutely love that you try anything and everything with your necklines. I love the interest it can give a regular top !! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!!

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Sarah!

That last neckline design is my all time favorite of yours ~ So elegant, but equally edgy.

Every time I watch one of your videos two things run through my mind: 1) I always learn so much from you and 2) I really need to make block patterns for myself and start playing with them.

@danielletdg8423

2 жыл бұрын

Same! 😁

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Crystil!

This is AWESOME thank you so much!!! I’m a beginner sewer trying to make more complex cosplays and it calls for a lot of custom necklines and details! This is super helpful!

I love this neck line so much!🤩 I'm so happy you do step-by-step so we can follow along when trying do these garments! Thank you!🙌

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Sandy!

Your professionalism makes it easy to learn from and enjoy your videos. The backgrounds are colorful and filled with fascinating items, lighting is excellent, placement of camera is perfect so I can see you work, and narration is perfectly paced. I love the background music also. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience, they are much appreciated. You are inspiring.

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Ann!

Very cute collar, and you look so glamorous today! I adore the big pearls with the hair. It's very rockabilly.

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Yay! Your makeup today is hot like fire B. I still have yet to make myself these lovely block patterns but I do love using your tips and tricks to change my existing patterns to better suit my dream wardrobe.

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

The peaked neckline is giving me serious Wonder Woman vibes! Thanks for this tutorial because neckline facings have been my nemesis for a while!

Outstanding !!! 💖 Thank you for teaching us how to be confidently dramatic with our necklines. 💖 Love all that you do. 💖

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Dolores!

I have been working on my block patterns all day following your other video, watching this one made me so excited to get to the next step! Thank you!

Am.looking everywhere on KZread on how you can alter the basic blocks and I am.so happy to finally found your channel!!!

I feel inspired to jump off the commercial pattern boat, and fly. Thank you. X

You are forever helping me make it through my project!

Really nice necklines. I also don't like plunging V's and love a little tiny V neck instead of the jewel neckline on my sheath dresses. I began playing around with asymmetrical necklines opening the bodice on the fold. Thanks for a great video.

Yes it is called calico in Australia, at least that's what my mum calls it. She's 70+. Don't see it used/sold much now though. Love the 2nd neckline.

You present very well. Right on, good demonstration pace with no "well um." And you don't say "well right here I have my pins and scissors..." as if we don't already know those tools are a given. Thank you. New neckline here I come.

Your bee tattoo on your arm is really cute. Thank you for the video.

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jessie!

I can't tell you how many of your dart manipulation videos I've seen but it wasn't until today that I actually understood it! Thank you for not just going oh I've showed this to you before I don't need to show it to you again because maybe people are like me and you got to see something over and over again until it finally makes sense.

Your pattern making is SO SO SO helpful!! Thank you!

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Mary!

Absolutely love the eye makeup today! This is exactly how my Mum, who was a seamstress in the 40s, taught me how to do clean looking necklines. However, watching how you even handle the iron brings a whole new level of understanding. Thanks Bianca. Please keep up your wonderful work! And your right about Calico in Australia. 😊

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Kaytie!

Thank you for sharing, I now know what the piece of fabric leftover from my very first attempt was 😅😂 and where I should have sewed it 🎉

This is one of my favorite necklines I’ve seen you create, since I began following g you years ago

Awesome neckline! Can’t wait to see this in a dress!

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Charese!

Just watched it again to be clear. Love it.

Your eye make up is spectacular. What a wonderful tutorial. You do an amazing job of explaining everything.

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Alexandra!

I learn so much every time I watch one of your videos! Thank you.

@TheClosetHistorian

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Leigh!

This neckline is phenomenal! Thank you for showing it!

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Antonia!

I love understitching. I know it's something people skip but it was the first 'makes a garment look professional' type of skill i learned about and i dunno i just love to see it 💚

Love the eyeshadow look today! So pretty! Thank you for continuing to show us how to use a bodice block to make different types of garments. Always educational and cool to see the variety.

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@annholmes9650

2 жыл бұрын

Would love to know how you make the bodice block!

I just found your channel and I’m watching all of your videos!

Loving both those necklines. As I am abysmal at sewing collars, these styles will be a real boon the change the look of my shirts for this summer.

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Mandy!

Ooooh…that neckline is amazing and looks gorgeous on you. Thank you for showing us this

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Corey!

OMG I bought a bunch of muslin for mockups and the stuff was just GAUZE! Now I realize why. It's called CALICO in Australia :) ahhh now it makes sense. Thanks for that little tidbit!

@elwoodsterful

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I’m France you’d have the same issue, “mousseline” (the word that normally would translate muslin in French) is a sort of gauzy, airy, soft and suuuuuper floopy fabric that is unusable for muslins - we call a mockup a “toile”, which is also the generic word for an even classic overunder weave of fabric, and is now the word for muslin/calico to make mockups.

Yeah, we still call it calico here in Australia. I love working with it.

That'll be a nice neckline for you when you adjust it. Good for dress clips and/or necklaces!

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I love muslin, especially if I'm making a mock up or lining a light-medium fabric because it's a little bit heavier than my fabric but not stiff like regular cotton can be, plus it softens up nicely after washing it a few times

Very informative and explained so clearly. Plus I chuckled a few times, so points for the laughs.

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Reese!

Thank you for taking the time to show us. Have to adjust a neckline and armscye on a woven tank.

You are correct. In the UK we call Muslin Calico because in the UK muslin is more like a voile like type fabric.

Love the second neck line. Glad you are doing it on a garment later!

Very informative!!

I love your monotone voice! Plus the way you make your own clothes! 💕🤗

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Karla!

Bianca, you always look beautiful! Your eye shadow is really popping, I really enjoyed the eyeshadow collection review! Please do a hair tutorial, this hairstyle is my idea of a hair goal! Any professional hairdressers' tips for fine hair are welcome.

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Lelani! Sadly this was just a particularly good hair day for me 😂 I don't think I could replicate it! I do it the same every time, but it just comes out different each time 😅

I adore the second neckline!! There's something so sophisticated about it

I love the instruction and especially the partial understitching. I just thought I was bad at pointy necklines

Thank you for both walkthroughs and I am excited to see the dress you make with the second neckline that is so awesome a detail

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Alexandra!

Great! Love the mockup and so excited to see what you do with it next. I made my slopers earlier this week (around 4am while unable to sleep, yet to see if they're at all usable...) and eager to make myself a dress that actually fits. 😊

Very interesting. I'm always so in awe of how effortlessly you seem go be able to manipulate these patterns and sew them together. I absolutely love that neckline you created! I really need to learn how to sew, but I'm so intimidated.

@LS-vq2or

2 жыл бұрын

me too!! it’s like snip snip snap sew snip snap sew press while I would have made the scissors fall on the floor and fell with them at least twice during those same moves LMAO

@LS-vq2or

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry I hadn’t read the end of your comment before replying, but start with something easy with not a lot of steps to make it less scary!! sewing is the most incredible journey you’ll ever be glad to have embarked on, it’s worth it stranger!!

@MorticiaLaMourante

2 жыл бұрын

@@LS-vq2or I've always wanted to learn. I do very simple hand sewing, but I want to learn all the fancy things! LOL

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Sewing seems like a lot of things at first, but just take it one step at a time. Like all things, you will improve with practice and get comfortable on the machine and such. Remember I have been sewing for nearly 18 years! So I didn't get to the point I'm at now overnight for sure ❤

@MorticiaLaMourante

2 жыл бұрын

@TheClosetHistorian I know, u really should jump in. I just don't have a good setup to work, and materials are pricey, so I'm really concerned about messing it up and wasting everything.

Yeah we call it calico here in uk, I remember the smell too when I went to college, miss those days 😊

Thank you, thank you. This is so much easier than I expected. I have a curvy bust for my size and now looking forward to being able to draft the necklines/facings that flatter me

Wonderful thank you ♥🙏🏼♥I learn a lot from your tutorials😊

Guess what I am working at a project with the change of neckline and here you are! Unbelievable! Thank you! Love from Italy!

Thank you for explaining things so well, best wishes x

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Heather!

That peaked neckline is so flattering! I'm excited to see what you make from it! 😄

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! It's a new favorite now!

I love your channel so much. I always feel inspired and like I can achieve what you have done because you explain everything so clearly! Thank you!

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

It's always a pleasant surprise whenever you upload an extra video in a week. This is also just a really nice, comprehensive tutorial for necklines.

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Kathryn!

I LOVE your patternmaking videos your process is so interesting and your voice over has to be one of my fav on youtube how you talk is both super funny and calming loved this video the second neckline is amazing

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Super helpful. Great demonstration. Thank you!

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I wasn’t sure when you started the peaked neckline…..but I love it 🥰 Thanks to you I’ve become very comfortable changing up necklines but I’ve never done one that detailed. Goals!

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Amy!

Bianca, this is an awesome tutorial! Great job! Your makeup is on on point and gorgeous!

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Thank you Bianca, your tutorials are so helpful! and I admire your 99k every time I see it 🤩

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jane!

Thank you for sharing these tips - wonderful! X x

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Ann!

I was distracted by your gorgeous lavender eye shadow!

How fun! Thank you!! Great videos as always!!

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Brilliant! Thanks for showing me how to’s, they are beautiful!

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Viviana!

Love this, so helpful and clear. Thank you.

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jennet!

In this video you look like Morticia Adams and Marylin Monroe‘s lovechild and it is fantastic! Apart from the visuals and the good view of your drafting this video gave me the confidence to be more daring when drawing necklines!!

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I am to start sewing on a skirt and a top for my mother (a gift) and now it will look so much better with that clever topstitching on the inside! I always thought the topstitching had to be visable, and I never liked the look of it. Thank you 😘

@jitomim

2 жыл бұрын

No you're right, top stitching is decorative and visible. This type of stitching is called understitching (because it's, well, not on top) and has to catch the seam allowance to be helpful for keeping the facing from flipping to the outside.

Just found your channel....really enjoy your instruction. Explaining why you are doing certain things is so helpful. I always have issues with patterns being too wide in the shoulders. I have subscribed!

@TheClosetHistorian

5 ай бұрын

Thank you Bonnie!

oh wow, what memories you have brought back. I majored in clothing construction in college 30 years ago. Somewhere are my blocks (slopers) but they are 50+ lbs off. You did a wonderful video,. it is very informative and very well done, like the rest of your videos.

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Becky!

Hi Bianca!! Wonderful step-by-step as always.. Your make up is absolutely beautiful.. Second neckline is by far my favorite one.. Thanks for taking your time to show us this.. I deeply appreciate everything you do…. 💜💜💜🧵🧵🧵

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Deana!

Thank you so much for sharing this information. Just created a sloper; this is so helpful. Love your channel.

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Cristina!

I always loved the smell of ironed (unbleached) muslin, it reminds me of cookies, oddly enough. Warm and toasty

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

It's very cookie adjacent coziness!

Can confirm muslin is calico in Australia, I just bought a roll of it today. Obviously I have no chill because I pattern draft with permanent marker 😅 Thanks so much for this tutorial, I'm feeling much more confident drafting facings now. All your flat pattern drafting tutorials have been amazing to learn from as a beginner.

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Amy! ❤

Absolute Excellence!!!

@TheClosetHistorian

5 ай бұрын

Thank you!!

I really appreciate the pattern altering portion of your videos. I'm learning so much! Thank you. I asked you about your machine maintenance program. I've just rescued a vintage Singer (201-2), and I sent it out for professional servicing. The electrical system worked, but it looked wonky to me, and I'd rather not take the chance of getting an electrical shock, thank you, so... off to the spa. Anyway, according to the manual that came with it, the machine should be oiled after every 8 hours of sewing. (what???). There are diagrams for the oil points, and each point gets one (and only 1) drop of oil. I learned to sew on my mother's Singer 201 and I'm sure it was never oiled or serviced. A testament to the engineering of those machines! Anyway...

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I know they say to oil them constantly 😅 thirsty apparently!

Thanks for this! I always get tangled up in the facings, although my two favourite shirt patterns that use them are both single piece front, single piece back so I'm always confused how to understitch... A few times I left them open at the shoulders and did those seams last but it seems a bit bulky somtimes. Obviously I need more practice.

Really enjoyed this! Thank you for sharing with us. Now I know why the facing on a newly made blouse is not behaving. I bet I’ve sewn the shoulder part of the facing to the centre front of my blouse. Dang that’s sneaky. Sending best wishes from Down Under 💚💚💐🇦🇺😎

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Rhonda! I always fear the shoulder switch up!!

This was awesome

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Liz!

You are gorgeous and talented. Keep slaying girl

I love watching these videos! I can’t wait until I can do things like this! If my pattern has a turtle neck and I want to change it to a normal circular neck, how would I do that?

@TheClosetHistorian

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Cally! It depends on the style of turtleneck, if it is "grown on" aka there is no seam between the collar piece and the main bodice then the change is different than if there is a seam there, and if it is meant to be made from a woven or a knit the processes would be different as well. I have no experience with knit (aka stretchy) patterns unfortunately!

U are so talented n make this all look so easy, ur clothes n you always look Beautiful 👍🥳👏🏼

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Mirta!

In Australia we do indeed call it calico. Muslin is a very loose weave cotton here so it caused me some confusion hearing Americans call calico “muslin” because it would be awful to use as toiles. 😂

Yep, we call it calico in Australia, what we call muslin is a super lightweight cotton.

@catzkeet4860

2 жыл бұрын

Not just Aussie. Only America calls calico, muslin. The rest of the world call the heavy canvas like unbleached cotton, calico, and the soft sheer, loosely woven cotton fabric, muslin.

Yes, muslin is known as calico in Australia :-)

Love the eye makeup today! A few questions about necklines... 1. You said that you didn't understitch the second neckline all the way across because the points will get in the way. Can't you follow the points along the neckline? 2. When I do neckline facings, I find that they like to misbehave and don't naturally lay flat unless I tuck them down by hand. Any ideas how to stop this? FYI, I usually work on light/medium weight cotton (e.g. brushed cotton), have a 2inch wide facing for a wide, scooped neckline, and edge stitch the facing. TIA and lots of love from the UK!

Love this video 🥰 I learned so much and someday will be brave and never buy another pattern 😂 (except maybe vintage ones)

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Emma!

I never did much patter alterations other than hemlines and taking it in or letting it out. I feel confident from watching you that I would be able to manipulate patterns now if I were to try. I need to learn how to do the basic block pattern for my lumpy bumpy odd shape body. You are truly an inspiration!! Hugs

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Donna!

What sort of scissors are they ?thanks for demo you make it so easy to understand

Confession: when you say bye at the end of your videos I say "Bye!" back 🤣

Love the new necklines! Especially the second. Though, I personally would want just the squared back neck for me. Lol #personalpreference

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

A question for anyone: do you have recommended silk pin brand? I’d like to try some and looking at reviews for a few seems they bend very easily or are dull and snag the fabric.

i love the way u do your hair.. : -)

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Mel!

I love how easily you explain eveything and I always understand everything! I noticed that when I make a deeper neckilne it starts to gape and stand out. Why?

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Magda! This isn't something I have encountered (probably becuase I usually use quite high necklines 😅) but I imagine it needs a bit of extra contouring towards the bust. Perhaps a tiny dart taken out of the neckline which could then be moved into one of the other darts by swinging the extra fullness from the apex. I would try about a 1/4 inch perhaps!

@madzixGD

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheClosetHistorian Thank you for your answer! I want to try and see how low a neckline can go and when the adjustment has to be made. Thank you again!

Perfect timing! I was just looking if you had a video on necklines XD! I found a picture of a party dress I want to make because I'm really intreaged by the necklines. However, not only the front, but also the back are quite low. I've heard that that might be a problem, because the dress will start slipping of the shoulders etc. Do you have any experience with this? How do I tackle something like that?

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

It will definitely slip on you which can be very discouraging! You'll want to secure the shoulder to your bra straps or something, like with ribbon loops on snaps. The other option is to build more a whole like bustier into the dress itself to hold up the necklines in a more structural way, but that's advanced stuff 😅 I've never done those!

Any tips for dealing with the facing where it was difficult to understitch but machine? Should I do understitching by hand or is there another trick to keeping the facing hidden? Brilliant video as always!

@lizcademy4809

2 жыл бұрын

I do hand understitching ... I've even added hand sewn understitching on ready-made blouses when the facing wouldn't stay put.

@TheClosetHistorian

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Flynn! I think, being on the lazy side myself, I would just tack the facing down to the fashion fabric with a few tiny stitches (I always do it at the shoulder seams and usually the center front) if I had one that didn't want to behave 😅