This video will make you a better sewist (Compilation)

[@MyFocusVaries]

For North Americans, the UK term "fancy dress" translates as what we'd wear for a costume party. I remember when I first heard the term from English relatives, I incorrectly translated it in my head as "formal wear".

[@RetroClaude]

Oh yes, fancy dress party = costume party. The kind you wear on Halloween ☺️ thanks for providing some cultural context!

[@kiragarvie]

Oh! That makes several videos I've watched make much more sense, thank you!

[@mwillis7791]

Thanks!!!!

[@LucindaSutherland-w2u]

Thanks. I have never remembered to ask about that, perhaps because I was never invited to such an event while I lived over there.

[@MyFocusVaries]

@@kiragarvie :) my husband is a dual citizen. As a Canadian, I jokingly call British my second language.

[@alittlebitofkatie]

I think we took our GCSEs at around the same time (because I finished year 11 in 2008) and you describing the fabric buying experience is giving me PTST flashbacks to buying fabric for my own textiles project. I did the "east Asian inspired modern clothing" brief (because I was really into anime at the time) and I used a stencil to hand paint white (centre) to red (edge) ombre dragonflies all over my black fabric. Except once I was done, the edges were far more pink than red and did not match the red fabric I'd bought to use as the edging. So I travelled 15 miles (because I also lived in the countryside) to a fabric land to buy something more pink, but they just didn't have anything suitable. There was also a john Lewis a short walk away so me and my mum trudged off to look at their shockingly small selection of dressmaking fabric and somehow they actually had a cotton in the perfect shade. It was genuinely the only thing in the entire shop that was the right fabric and it was in the perfect shade. Also this was about a week before the deadline because I'd spent so much time painting dragonflies 😅 Also this video kinda makes me want to recreate my GCSE project now

[@RetroClaude]

I highly recommend revisiting an early project to see how far you’ve come. It’s great for the ego!

[@elleghe4560]

Have kept my first ever attempt at a medieval "icecream cone" headdress (an "atour", by the way, not a hennin). Discovered a stain on the fashion fabric, then discovered the fabric puckered when wet, so I'd have to wet the whole thing. That's when I discovered the structure in the foundation fabric was watersoluble starch which promptly went down the drain. Was left with a structure about as stiff as a paper tissue standing on its side. The original attempt lives in my stash as a decoration and reminder of my journey. Somehow the whole thing was just so hilarious it doesn't feel embarrassing, not much anyway..

[@RetroClaude]

I love this story!! I'm glad you can laugh about ☺️

[@Wombletron]

I wonder if you could restarch it like a historical petticoat 🤔

[@sarahkarineknits]

it's so fun to hear you mention 5000 subscribers, knowing you're at nearly 45k now! loving these compilations!!!

[@KristiChan1]

16 year old you did really well for her first sewing project! My first two were in jersey, and while I feel I did quite well with minimal mistakes, jersey is also a nice forgiving material. My current non jersey project has been sitting in my UFO pile for over a year now lmao.

[@petrasouth1133]

My first project more than 40 years ago, was a bikini from non stretchy cotton fabric. Great fabric choice. But at least I only needed a tiny piece of fabric.

[@ConstanceCravingnz]

Hey this is so entertaining thank you. Honestly, that poly satin is really hard to press and get any kind of crisp out of it so young you may have tried and been defeated by the fabric! I also LOVE that you chose orange, not pink or blue or purple. I award points for that ;-)

[@dexaria]

16 year old me had also never even heard of pressing! Now it’s one of my favourite parts of sewing

[@meowdee]

Oh god same! Soooo satisfying!

[@MegaSnowcat]

I hope that this encourages lots of viewers to try out sewing again to see if they can use the techniques in the video.

[@leaf2576]

Perfect thing to watch as I procrastinate setting the sleeves of the dress that's been in my WIP pile for half a year.

[@julianachandler2975]

That new blouse is particularly lovely. ❤

[@mwillis7791]

I love that you are putting these compilation videos out! ❤

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

The owl video was one of the many videos KZbin has been showing me. That outfit turned out so astoundingly adorable! I highly recommend everyone watching it!👑😁

[@kiragarvie]

I made my first Ren Faire costume last year, and the hem of the shirt was TERRIBLE because I had never done something like that before, and you know what, I didnt care because it was tucked in, I was proud that I tried! and the second time I made that shirt, it was better! ADDITION: Can you make a video of sewing that dinosaur pattern???? Please???

[@KatiJaha]

This was so much fun to watch

[@ConstanceCravingnz]

PS Your Bernina, gorgeous creature that it is (mine is a 1220 from the early 90s and I LOVEZ IT) would totally take a buttonhole foot. It's called a 3A, has a wee red slider that you use to set the size against the button, then you use it as a guide. I love Bernina buttonhole feet because they make it towards you not away from you like other brands. I've only ever used Berninas in the last 30+ yers and other brands give me the collywobbles hehehe.

[@myinnermagpie]

A very good job for a 16 year old sewing. I was lucky enough to have taken an old-school sewing class in high school. Our teacher taught us techniques that I’ve seen in higher end sewing videos. It’s so nice that you kept one of your first projects.

[@BookCat18]

So happy to have this compilation and the others! Hope you are well ❤

[@CecilyaKitty]

What a nice video to show how far you've come! As a mostly self-taught hobby sewist I'm always a bit jealous when you talk about your training with teachers correcting you - on the other hand I am also quite proud of how far I've come on my own, one project at a time. :) I'm currently constructing a pattern for a costume and will be using your perfect sleeve tutorial for setting in the sleeves of the blouse. Wish me luck!

[@lesliesgarden6798]

What a fun and entertaining series! Thank you for putting it all together.

[@Westibule]

My GCSE design technology project was a shocker 🙈 I have improved significantly but I'm also not a natural designer... ah well!

[@RetroClaude]

We all start at the beginning! 😁

[@marilys3549]

I think your blouse turned out lovely. I would be proud to wear it .❤

[@janeww2783]

Your shirt looks very princes Diana :) and looks very good on you :)

[@Puppy52]

I loled at the thumbnail because it is so not you😂 but hey do what you gotta do❤❤❤❤ love your videos because they are helpful and informative!

[@RetroClaude]

I know 😂 my attempt at a attention grabbing, general interest thumbnail 😂 let's hope it works!

[@Puppy52]

We love youuu❤

[@crooked-leg-rabbit]

How exciting! I keep saying I need to practice my sewing skills, maybe if I survive Finish It February I actually will 😂

[@RetroClaude]

You can do it! 💪🏻

[@waywardsister8367]

As a knitter, this was surprisingly interesting. Not bad from someone who would later be told to stick to crochet! Lol. The skirt is beautiful.

[@roadrunnercrazy]

This was so much fun to watch again. I sort of wish I still had some of the outfits I made in high school, but then, they were dreadful. It was the 80s after all.😂

[@Loralit4]

What a great reminder of how far you’ve come!

[@pkwork]

You rocked that zipper! I, too, love that book. My mother taught me on an early electric Singer starting when I was 11. Ran into that book later, and it has never failed me when it came time to do rarely practiced techniques.

[@roxannlegg750]

Playing thread chicken with a sewing machine is one thing - doing it on your overlocker is another! You know your game of thread chicken is getting serious when youre going thru pulled thread cabbage for that last little amount to finish that last 30 cm. Thoughht I was the only one!

[@RetroClaude]

I have such a hatred of waste I've been known to reuse tracking threads!

[@roxannlegg750]

@@RetroClaude Snap girl - high five. I also re-use tacking threads, anything longer than 30 cm i end up keeping. Some say im just overcompensating for my hugely expensive fabric habit but when you realise how expensive quality threads are, they would never waste them either eh!

[@ellasheridan7637]

It went from costume to fashion. It's amazing to see how as we learn we can achieve better and make more informed decisions

[@poetmaggie1]

Mother had a heming tool but I found it a bottom, also in the "50's we did hems not bias, we used very little bias. And the skirt is delicious.

[@zanili]

I love the thumbnail!

[@RetroClaude]

Thanks!

[@story.stitcher]

I did biasbinding on my first skirt cause i was lazy and didn't have access to an overlocker.

[@natalieslayton1676]

I sewed my very first lapel collar on a toile I’m working on today, and when it came time to press it I remembered your tip for rolling the seam between your fingers! I love your channel and I’ve learned so much from you. I’m really enjoying these compilations as well! ❤

[@christinenewell2679]

Lovely job on blouse and , for me, the sleeves look very, very lovely. (I just found your channel and subscribed). I used to see like this all the time and loved making my own clothes and also dresses and nightgowns for mum I’m. She loved me sewing and used to help with any hand work. Very happy days. When i was about 22 I bought my first electric sewing machine…….before this I had used mum’s old , hand wheel Singer. Yes, watching you sew brings happy memories to me. I still see, easy stuff like pillow cases and always do the running repairs:). The one thing I have NEVER done is put in a Zip!! It’s my New Year Resolution EVERY year but is a big FAIL!!! (At 76 and post stroke I think I’ll just carry on sewing and enjoy what I CAN do. Keep up your very good work❤️.

[@emmalemon26]

Something about the blouse is reminding me of the film Heathers and I can't quite figure out why! I love it though. I love a big sleeve

[@sheilawaterman9196]

I love how you make sewing so interesting. Your updated outfit is fabulous.

[@jillyb9995]

I've still got my copy of The Complete Guide to Sewing too 😊 Mine is dated 1985 so not a first edition but it looks like the patterns are the same as in your edition. Blimey, they take me right back to the seventies. Berni Inn anyone? 😂

[@daxxydog5777]

I made a very similar shirt and utterly hated the weird way they wanted the camp collar done. Then I found a video by Lifting Pins and Needles showing where she made a one piece facing instead of the two the pattern called for and it looked much easier.

[@jackiejames4551]

Both projects turned out really nice. ❤

[@hollibarnett3899]

Love the commentary! 😂

[@marieadlerherrera]

Please please please! Whats that green sweater in the first video?! Love these compilations, I went through the 6h one over the course of the week😅

[@hjboonman4534]

I had the exact same question. I just went over the comments from the video from 2 years ago to see if anyone else had asked this question already, and there would be an answer. I would love to see a pattern from this popcorn sweater 😍.

[@abbielynnjuett4031]

Too funny! I actually have that same pattern in my stash. I may have even made some version from that pattern. 🤣💚💚💚

[@tlowenbraun]

So fun. What great ideas!

[@betsymach2435]

Very nice!

[@WatchedPlot]

I know you won't be sewing as much anymore, but if you do feel better, can I make a request for Derek the Dinosaur? I need to see how that works out! 🤣 🦕🦖

[@Chibi-kittenplays]

wait. .why should buttonholes be vertical? Then the button will make the holes gaping at any kind of tension on them. Horisontal the button hooks into the end of the hole really nicely

[@petapendlebury9024]

It's very usual when you have a narrow button band down the front - as in a man's shirt. So if a blouse pattern has enough ease and a similar style the buttons will sit nicely in the band looking better. You are right on tops with less ease though - buttons horizontal to take the tension. Patterns in the 70s and 80s had a lot of room! Wide shoulders with pads and dropped shoulders - it certainly was a look 😂

[@ConstanceCravingnz]

Vertical for shirts and blouses, horizontal for overwear. It's such a strong tradition it is really weird going against it!

[@CraftsyPenguin]

at times I was all "Claude, be kind to yourself!" But you were, actually, in the end :) Adding to the chronological playlist that now has over 39 hours of Claude: kzbin.info/aero/PLfEU046kSCXbS0pOD-m3ApThqvyQpkSxi

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Did you get your skirt hemmer yet? I know another clothes making content creator who made xir own one.

[@christianeedel5160]

I was wondering about the same thing. I‘ve had one since quite early in my sewing journey (it was a gift) and it‘s such a huge help! Although you may not need it now 😢

[@melstephen5191]

💕💜💜💜💕

[@vikkizoo1]

🌈🌈🦋🦋

[@sasabinz7331]

13

[@gisellejones1139]

So much fu😊n