Ultimate Illustrated Guide to Sewing Clothes

Joi Mahon’s “Complete Course on Making Clothing for Fit and Fashion” is a treasure trove for anyone eager to transform fabric into fashion. Boasting a stellar 4.6-star rating from 359 enthusiasts, this paperback is a comprehensive guide that transcends the boundaries of basic sewing, diving into the realms of tailoring, alterations, and more.

From zippers to notions, slopers to patterns, Mahon leaves no stone unturned in this 288-page manual. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned seamstress, the book’s expert instruction is a guiding light through the intricacies of sewing, tailoring, alterations, finishing, detailing, and beyond. It’s not just a guide; it’s a masterclass in garment creation.

Joi Mahon’s credentials speak volumes—award-winning designer, instructor, licensed pattern designer, and the creative mind behind Joi’s Perfect Pattern and Fit Club. Her expertise is not just demonstrated; it’s shared generously, making the book an indispensable companion for sewists at all skill levels.

Next Pattern:

I am just smitten with this felt gingerbread house bag. This would make such a sweet special Christmas accessory for a kid. It’s a free pattern at Benzie Design, designed by Gracie from Hello Gracie Makes. It’s packed with adorable gingerbread house details, like swirls and stripes and scallops adoring the doors and windows.

And while all those details might seem like this would be a complicated pattern, it’s actually not. The bag itself is made from felt, which makes finishes edges unnecessary. (All of those scalloped edges are just cut from felt, no edge finishing required.) The strap is super simple, made from rope with knotted ends. And all those details are made with some basic hand embroidery stitches. Sparkle felt makes it extra cute.

The striped scallop roof is actually the top flap of the bag. A magnetic snap makes it a secure closure. The rope straps are attached through felt loops at the side of the bag.

They rate this project as an intermediate level, and it should take about 6 hours to make start to finish. That’s doable for a Saturday project or a couple of evenings. Full color photos step you through the entire process.

The project includes a shopping list for all of your supplies. They’ve got a shop so you can order all of them from Benzie if you like and get exactly the supplies used in the project. I noticed it includes a pair of scallop shears, which makes cutting all the scalloped edges for the roof and around the door a breeze.

Finished dimensions of the little felt gingerbread bag are approximately 6 ½” wide x 7 ½” tall. That’s the perfect size to hold a small book, a small toy, or a notepad and some cute pens.

Go to Benzie Design to get the tutorial and free pattern for the felt gingerbread house bag.

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