Seamwork 22: Power Dressing

The September issue of Seamwork is up and ready for you to read!

First, a big round of applause for our Editor-In-Chief, Haley. She’s been at the helm of Seamwork for quite a while, but you can read her very first letter in this month’s issue, as she shares some encouraging thoughts on power dressing, with a little help from Dolly Parton.

Speaking of power dressing, this month’s patterns will encourage you to wear your me-mades to the office. We’ll teach you some couture finishing techniques for your seams, guide you through an up-close-and-personal experience with your iron, and give you reasons to be thankful for your pants.

Here are the two new quick-to-sew patterns in this issue:

Neenah is a classic turtleneck dress, appropriate for both the office and cocktails. Its body skimming shape and knit construction make this dress as easy to wear as it is to sew.

Use a solid-colored, merino wool knit to create a sleek look, or try a fun print for a dress with more flare. It’s easy to shorten Neenah into a top, so it can be worn with other Colette and Seamwork favorites like Phoebe, Beignet, and Osaka.

Delavan is a classic blazer that will add a polished touch to any outfit. Make this wardrobe staple in a wool suiting for a sleek look perfect for the office. Or opt for a cotton linen blend for a casual look ideal for pairing with jeans.

This unlined jacket features a shawl collar, center back vent, and a blind hem. Add a special touch by finishing your seams with a Hong Kong finish or by drafting a custom lining, as detailed in this month’s issue.

A Peek Inside the Issue:

• Power in Individuality: Power dressing isn’t all pantsuits and button-up shirts.
• The Seamworker’s Guide to Amsterdam: Unearth the hidden gems this city has to offer, by Tracy Majka.
• Wally’s Wisdom: What are finished measurements and how do I use them?
• Sewing Specifics: Add a couture touch to your seam finishes.
• One Pattern, Three Ways: Get more out of your me-made garments.
• Block Paper Scissors: Add a shaped collar to Delavan, by Anna Aguirre.
• Women in Pants: A two-legged revolution, by Betsy Blodgett.
• A Lesson in Lining: The guide to drafting linings for unlined jackets and coats, by Sabrina Lee.
• A Pressing Matter: Get to know your iron, the ultimate fabric shaper, by David Page Coffin.
• Sewing Clearly: How my eye disease renewed my love for sewing, by Tanya Hughes.
• Business Casual, Handmade Edition: Bringing personal style to the office, by Jessica Yen.
• Handmade Beauty: Indulge in a hydrating sheet mask while skipping the waste, by Kat Siddle.
• Swatch Service: Become a fabric expert with this month’s patterns.
• Seamwork Style: Mix and match patterns for a unique me-made wardrobe.
• Resources: Where to get fabric, supplies, and recommended additional reading for this issue.

“So, the next time you pull out your favorite pair of pants, take a moment to appreciate the century of effort that it has taken for you to not be shunned or arrested when you wear them outside. Consider them symbolically, as a measure of how far the fight for women’s (and trans) rights has come, but also how far it needs to go. Then, put on those pants, walk outside, and like pants hero Katharine Hepburn, live as you please.” -Betsy Blodgett, Women in Pants

“Clear eyesight and sewing are two things that go hand in hand. Imagine threading a needle or sewing with an accurate seam allowance while trying to look through dirty, wavy carnival glass. It’s hard for me to believe that I used to sew like that. It’s even more difficult for me to understand how I created the garments that I did and not have them turn out looking like a hot mess.” -Tanya Hughes, Sewing Clearly

“Sewists tend to be detail-oriented by nature. We thrive when fussing over the perfect welt pocket or finding the perfect shade of thread to match. Those times when we really slow down and cherish the details are when we shine the brightest. ” -Katie Whittle, Sewing Specifics

Also, Also, Also, there’s a new episode of Seamwork Radio!

In 2008, sewing blogger Melissa Fehr revealed something on her blog: she’d been diagnosed with a rare blood disorder. Soon, she’d need a complete bone marrow transplant. In this episode, Melissa shares how her relationship with her body changed before and after this life-changing experience—and how this relationship eventually led her to designing her own patterns.

Read the whole issue

You can visit Seamwork.com to read the issue, download it from the current issue page, or subscribe to get the patterns.