Submit Your Questions for the Live Stream!

In terms of fabric selections, it would be SO MUCH FUN if you maybe put together a capsule set of fabrics to make into a few things (separates/dresses) every year/season. That way, for those of us who can't find a particular fabric but still want your fab eye/taste on our closet, we could buy your latest fabric/color recommendations? :)

Also, you and Dita in a room talking about clothes/your patterns would just be my dream come true.

OMG, can we get an episode/walkthrough of your closet?!

Do you plan to open a FB Group so we can help each other if we got questions on your patterns?

Why is it after carefully tracing and cutting out my pattern pieces the notches and hems never match up?

Do you have any tips for sewing during weight loss? I don’t want to put a lot of time in a project that won’t fit in a few month. Any suggestions would be great 👍

Are you going to Viva this year? And if so, are you going to have a meet up or working as a vendor or anything?

Would you consider any videos that help us learn how to tailor clothes we already have? I would love to not just make pieces for my body, but also have some store bought clothes fit me better to. I have a smaller waist in proportion to my hips and I find it difficult to have things fit right.

Which works best with full pleated skirts...chiffon or tule style crinoline? Does either one produce a different shape or fullness?

Any favorite tips or tricks for working with particularly slippery rayons?

Is there a way to download videos from Patreon to watch offline? My mom was hit by a car and I'm taking care of her and would like to watch videos at her house, but she has no internet access. Love everything you've posted so far! Can't wait to get started on my projects.

I watched the Princess Coat Video and loved the way you used the basting strip of fabric to set in the sleeve. Do you think this method could be modified in any way to be used in an unlined bodice?

How did you get started in this line of work and take off as a business. And or what was your inspiration to do so.

What's something you've learned from a project you've abandoned, be it sewing or business related?

is there any chance of you eventually doing a petal bust pattern?

Is there anything on your blog, in an older book, or in an older pattern that you wish you could rewrite as your sewing knowledge has grown?

How do you keep your nails looking so good working with your hands all the time? Seriously!

I have questions about fabric - what do you look for in fabric for dresses like the Starburst. Is quilting cotton okay? Do you have any sources your like to share?

I'm wondering if you have ever done any swimwear, if a standalone pattern for such might be a thing, or if there might be some expansion/alterations for such from current patterns.

Are you planning on releasing any vintage versions of corporate wear at some point? I personally would love to see some Katharine Hepburn inspired clothes for work (so I can add my own flair to stuffy boring corporate stuff that I’m forced to wear 80% of my time).

I would love to know your favorite storage methods for your clothes to keep them looking new. Like do you prefer padded, wood, wire, or plastic hangers? Do you use something like a hope chest? Or are you not particular about storage?

What's your advice for modifying Liz (or any of your dresses) for wedding dress? (i.e. working with satin, still getting the right structure)

I’ve been rereading your old blog, and I’m really enjoying looking back at all your past projects. I was wondering, what were some of your favourite garments that you posted on there? And do you ever think of revisiting any of your previous makes, maybe with a different spin.

Hi Gertie, I was just wondering whether you’d ever come to the UK to do some workshops?

I would love a tutorial on print matching please!

Can you explain what you wear as undergarments to provide the structure under your dresses? you always look so polished.

Have you ever lost your sew-jo? If you have how did you get it back? (Mine has been MIA but I’m finding the excitement of this Patreon page is helping!)

Where do you get your fabric to make your patterns? Is there an online fabric site your recommend?

What if I forget to download e.g. the starburst pattern before march? Will I still have a chance to download it in march if I was a member in feburary?

Also would love advice on how to make a very warm coat (like at or below freezing!) for winter that isn't too bulky. I'm guessing that its a combination of the outer and lining fabrics with interlining but I'm not very experienced in this area!

This might be off-topic but I was wondering how you might go about sewing office appropriate vintage pieces. I often feel overdressed (I work at a university where the professional dress is fairly casual) but I would still like to wear fun things without feeling too costume-y!

What do a you do with all your left over scrap fabric from your finished makes? Just wondering myself since I feel like I'm contributing to so much waste just by tossing pieces away. Do you give them to others for quilting or do you recycle them somewhere?

I could really use some advice on getting a good dressform: The rib cage and shoulders of all the ones I’ve found are too big so even if the BWH measurements are correct, and on the smallest setting, they gape on me. I’m a 28DD, 22W and apparently have impossibly narrow shoulders according to dressform makers. I tried making a duct tape form but the stuffing was never strong enough to keep the shape and it was hard to set up. Should I pad a child form (worried this will come out wonky)? Or take a bread knife to a cheap styrofoam form?

Love the proposed time. I’d like “sewing space 101” how do you recommend setting up a sewing area, assuming space is limited? From your perspective what are some tips and tricks to keep sewing area tidy when in the middle of a project and have to stop for work or family obligations etc etc. ..... another is for making button holes do you prefer machine or hand? I find machines tend to make them look “thin”— would like a more tailored look without spending hours.

What kind of music do you listen to? And also wondering if you wear any besame make up products??

As some others asked, recommendations/suggestions for bras and shapewear that correspond to each of your patterns would be greatly appreciated.

Hey Gertie - are there any plans to increase the sizing on the night and day dress? I am close to a size 20 with an H cup, and am obsessed with that dress! I am reasonably proficient with pattern grading, but that one is so complex I'm not sure I could successfully grade it up that far.

Do you think there can be anything such as a capsule wardrobe for vintage wear? If so what would be your key pieces?

I'd love a quick run over of hand sewing, I feel that's probably my weakest skill and I'm never quite happy with how it comes out

I think bra recommendations would be great.

Hi Gertie, are you looking at expanding your sizing into the 20’s?

I was wondering if you have a release date for the pencil skirt (featured in chestnut/brown color) with the Princess coat debut? I dearly love this skirt!

Do you have any plans for an expansion pattern for various sleeve lengths and shoulder seam styles? Sometimes I want a 3/4” sleeve on my dress or top for instance. I don’t always want to wear a bolero or cardigan.

I’d love to see your take on loungewear/activewear/sleepwear. What do you wear? What patterns do you recommend? How do you incorporate your retro style, especially in activewear? I feel so not myself in the gym

Besides your Beacon retreats, will you still be traveling around the USA to do the smaller workshops, like you did at Craft South in Nashville? It was fun!

Will there be more casual clothing in the future? I'm a big fan of women in pants ala Katherine Hepburn/Rita Hayworth and want to add more to my wardrobe.

I'd love to see a FBA/SBA tutorial and tips for non-standard bodices such as a shirt dress, or gathering like your Simplicity S8882 and Butterick B6380.

I keep on having trouble with the facings of your dresses 😔 I know that's a rather complex question, but are there any regular pitfalls when preparing and sewing them?

I would love to know how to get a really good fit with sleeves. I personally have a very broad back with small boobs. 😝 Therefore I struggle to get a good fit that. I can move freely in.

Fabric recommendations for adding the hood to the princess coat. Does it need to be light weight fabric? Would a mid weight coating work or be too bulky with the seams at the neck/collar?

I would love to make the Starburst dress with either a Night and Day sleeveless bodice or with maybe a Princess line bodice, so it is more flexible and wearable in cooler months. Can you explain what tips and tricks we would need to hack the pattern?

I have a fairly heavy black wool coating fabric that I had planned to use on a Vogue pattern, However, now that I have the Princess coat pattern I want to use it for that. I have white satin for the collar. I am concerned about the weight and thickness of the fabric for the princess. Is that type of fabric suitable for the Princess coat and would the satin collar work?

I would love to have a video on sewing with plaids. I need help learning how to line up prints in the fabric at the seams.

Will you be coming to New Zealand again anytime soon? I understand you’re super busy of course 😅 it would be amazing to see some of the sewing methods you use in really life and while there are plenty of seamstresses in NZ, there’s only one you 💕

I struggle with which seam finishes to use with which fabrics.

What are you go-to beauty products / hair and skincare regiment?

I'd love a bit more of an overview on types of fabrics, I have a hard time finding some of the suggestions online or at the local stores. Also what fabric would you recommend for the muslin version of the Princess coat? I really want to make it but trying to keep the cost down for the test versions

Hello, LOVE everything in this Patreon! So excited to see what’s to come....my question is, I was wondering if you ever use other patterns besides you own? If so, do you have any favorites? Any favorite indie pattern makers you like as well? Thanks for all you do!

I would like to make the Princess Coat in cashmere as you have done in the aqua. Fashion Sewing Supply has two weft interfacings, one is light and one is medium. Which is the best choice for a cashmere as you have shown in that project?

I’m a bit of a beginning sewist so I would love recommendations for methods and patterns to use to build up my skills

I would love to know more about petticoats and other foundation garments for your dresses!

Hi! I have been watching some projectors reviews (FB group projectors for sewing), those are used to project the pattern onto fabric or paper and trace it directly instead of having to cut and tape all pages (this takes forever...). For this you can use A0 pages, but sometimes, to fit in an A0 page, designers try to fit them all, thus rotating some pieces. Usually, for peojector files, designers put all pieces in one direction (on the direction of the grainline). I will definitely buy one projector, for I am a bit tired of the cuting and tape method. Buying a printed pattern usually the postage to Spain is way to expensive, and customs can hurt so bad when the price is above $20, abd printing A0 is a luxury! PLUS! With the print and tape method not only you use an enormous amount of time, but also ink, paper and Scotch tape, using a projector helps you to be more eco friendly and space (and time) saver! So, my question is, would you consider this new approach (the use of projector files) for the future? I don't know if it is a difficult change, but I was wondering ❤️❤️❤️ Oh, also some reviewers were pattern designers and they said that it helped them to reduce the time a lot to fit and test the pattern since they didn't had to print it, just to broadcast it and put it on the fabric, just in case you might also be interested :D Ah, and if you have a different opinion on the projector, I would love also to know ❤️❤️

Petticoats! What petticoats do you use? Or are there some good patterns out there to make your own? Also best fabric to make it out of.

Do you ever find yourself having a lack of discipline when writing your blogs and making your videos? Or even just getting too much in your head thinking things like “no one is going to like this why am I trying?”.. I feel like this is what has kept me from creating my own content.. if you have felt this way how did you combat it and turn it into the fantastic confidence that you display now?

I work for a jewelry-making magazine, and I am going to be hosting videos featuring the pieces that will appear in our upcoming issues along with tips/tricks on how to make them. I am FREAKING OUT about being on camera. I judge how I look, sound, move, etc. etc. etc. on and on. What on-camera advice or tips can you help me with? Are your videos highly scripted? Do you use cue-cards for reminders? I tend to feel very on-the-spot (no matter how much I understand the subject matter or practice) and I forget my words or judge myself in my head while I'm talking. My coworkers are so nice and supportive, and they think I am doing great. BUT, I'll take whatever advice I can get on this because I don't feel great, lol! I hope to be as charming, friendly, and informative as you one day. Thanks Gertie and Melisha <3

I love to sew, and I've been sewing for years. My biggest problem is that I get scared that I'm going to make a mistake when I cut my fabric. Sometimes the fear paralyzes me and I don't make a project because I don't want to ruin the (expensive!) beautiful fabric. How do I get over my fear of cutting? Do you ever get scared before you cut? Help!

Been loving all the new things recently!! Are there any holy grail books or videos (besides your own lovely line 😉) that really help in your sewing and designing process?

Have you ever been to Ohana in Lake George NY? (Its a great local tiki event that is for charity ) if not you should totally go!

I'd be really interested in a bit of a crash course in the hand stitching/sewing techniques! The instructions included with the patterns are great but sometimes a video really helps to figure out what you should be doing and when! Being self-taught it's always great to learn the easier way or prettier way to do things.

Interfacing: Could you address the different types of interfacing and how to know which one is the best to use for a particular project?

You always look so amazing! Do you wear loungewear at home, like joggers/sweatpants and hoodies? If so, have you made your own and which patterns do you like? (As I type this I'm wearing the hoodie dress version of Tilly's Stella Hoodie from the Stretch book) xx

Another fabric question! What is the process in terms of coming up with the pattern design? Do you also digitally create the pattern design then send it off to be printed? If so, which program(s) do you recommend?

Similar to above question, it would be amazing if you had a shop or even links where we could buy the fabrics you use to make your sample clothes. I’ve tried to track down a few specific fabrics that you’ve used and it can be difficult. You always make such amazing fabric choices!

Love all your patterns! Any chance of a Pake Muu or Shaheen-inspired teatimer pattern in future? 🤞❤️

How do you choose test sewists for upcoming projects? Maybe I’ve missed recent applications, but I am curious as to the process. Thanks for being awesome.

Can we get a tutorial on how to hack the Dorothy Bolero with long sleeves? Maybe bonus pattern peices for it? I'm in love with it but I am still fairly new to sewing and don't have the confidence to make alterations to the pattern myself.

What is the process of publishing patterns through Butterick/Simplicity like? Thank you 💕

Have you considered opening a Spoonflower fabric shop? Its sometimes hard to get your hands on your fabric, and this way it could be ordered on demand. I love the two border print fabrics I've bought from your lines especially.

How do you pick fabrics online? How can you gauge the weight of the fabric and how it will hang? I’ve heard a little about ‘hand’ but I’m not really sure what it means! (Sorry if this is too basic)