If you are a new reader, welcome to the blog!
This blog documents my efforts and my thoughts on sewing. I primarily sew garments for myself and my family. I occasionally sew things for friends and once in a long while for the house or sewing area.
I taught myself to sew from patterns and books with a bit of help from my Mom on using the machine, and I’ve now been sewing for nearly 30 years, since I was a teenager. Recently, say since 2007, my skills have experienced a massive upgrade as I’ve benefited from the knowledgeable and generous online sewing community, particularly the members of the Stitcher’s Guild. Since sewing is very complex, and also since sewers are usually reluctant to put themselves forward, I would rate myself as an intermediate sewer by the standards of the Guild. I am not yet proficient in tailoring and in all types of pattern drafting and alteration, you see.
My main interests in sewing are in wardrobe collections, on which I have expended quite a bit of thought; on vintage sewing machines and attachments, which appeal to my gadgety nature; and in sewing techniques. I like drafting and fit. I’m not very keen on fashion usually.
My own style is generally fairly plain but with romantic touches here and there. I think you’d be hard pressed to describe any of my clothes as remarkable. But they are nicely made, nicely fit, and they last. And I enjoyed making them.
For the reader, I try to include many details of how I construct my clothes and I also try to discuss some of my thought processes.
My medium-term goal is to have an entirely self-sewn wardrobe.
The Fabulous Dr. E's Fabulous Blog 
been following you for awhile and think you are doing fantastic.Myself I am quit old and still sew everything I wear.I am originally from Holland and learned to sew one hour a week in elementary school, although I had a Mam and Grandma who were fashion-plates Look forward to more of your creations Fia
So glad to have found your log. I have similar goals and style as yours so will solos avidly from Melbourne, Australia.
I saw you posted on a forum in 09 about fixing pants because they were too loose and just in case you hadnt found a solution, i found this on pinterest and wanted to share it with you 🙂
http://www.thevaultfiles.com/2012/04/tips-file-from-straight-to-skinny.html
Hi Elizabeth….Syndi from Stitchers Guild….its july 15….is something wrong with the site?
I have just started following your blog…fascinating! I have recently started learning to sew in order to turn an idea into a business and never thought there would be so much to the world of sewing. Would anyone happen to know why the needle thread on my dressmaker machine won’t go all the way around the bobbin mechanism? Seems to make it 3/4 of the way and then wraps around the bobbin mechanism instead of being pulled back up to the fabric with the bobbin thread?
Make sure your bobbin is threaded properly into the bobbin case. Is the thread coming off the bobbin in the correct direction? Is the bobbin case sitting in its housing correctly? Did you use the same thread in the bobbin as up top? Sometimes that makes a difference.
Hello, Should I address you as Dr. E?
You sound so much like me. I learnt stitching from watching my mom, who used to make clothes for my sis and me as kids, and into our teens. When I was fed up of not finding the clothes of my liking, in the stores, during my late teens, and did not want to trouble my mother any more, I started stitching. Those days, we didn’t have a motor on the machine. So, it was manual peddling…
Soon I attached a 1/12th. motor to it and started making simple gathered skirts etc. Learnt some techniques as I went along.
Now, of course, 30+ years later, I made most of my clothes, saved a bundle of money, get lots of satisfaction. I also make clothes for friends on and off. Still using my mom’s old machine.
I aim to buy a good sewing machine which stitches woven as well as knit fabrics. No fancy embroidery etc.
If you guide which would the best one, that will be great!
All the best
Sadhana