Simple office jacket has stylish details
Dear Vicki: I would really like to make a jacket to wear to work in the office, but I don’t want a collar, and setting in sleeves is too hard. So can you find me a good-looking jacket with some detail that I can make? Thanks. — Margo P.
Dear Margo: Here is a pattern; it is a raglan jacket, No. 123 from the Burda Style website, www.burdastyle.com. I’ve written about this site before, and I have found a pattern that will supply a look that is fresh and wearable for the office and still easy to make.
I know some of you don’t have internet connections at home, but once you find a friend, relative, library or public facility that will help you, it will be possible for you to print out a pattern. This website has a real focus on ready-to-wear current fashion looks. So try to visit the website and take a look.
Dear Vicki: My question is this: When I begin to sew a seam on a knit, my machine bogs down and knots up. The repair person says there is nothing wrong with my machine and that it is me, but doesn’t say why. So I am just wondering, what could he mean? Penny R.
Dear Penny: Here is what is happening, I think. When I learned to sew, I was taught to put my thread under the pressure foot, to the back, and to HOLD ON to the threads when beginning. Doing this helps control the thread, but also helps the feed dogs to grab the edge of the seam. New machines with the extrawide feed dogs need help more than older machines with narrower stitch width holes. So go back to the old way and hold on, or start sewing on a small tab of woven fabric and then onto the knit.