NEWS AND UPDATES FROM NANCY - PLUS Jackets Workbook Don't miss it!

The Skirt and Jacket Add-on Pattern Details and Yardages

Jacket Front and Collars -- Pattern 1945C $12.00: Here is a "collar" variation of 1945 -- collarless, a new collar, and a casual hood. This jacket has a straight front with the front facing cut in one with the front panel, and a plain round neckline. You can then make a quicker-to-sew short length by eliminating the welt or patch pockets. There is also a new front lining piece, so if you want to really zip along you can eliminate the shaping darts of the original lining and use this one in 1945 and 1945A too. Don't forget you'll need pattern 1945 to complete this jacket. The Jackets Workbook includes pattern 1945B which has three new collars for the 1945 series jackets.

In sizes 8-12, the long version with or without the collar requires 3 1/4 yards of 45" fabric or 2 1/4 yards of 60". In sizes 14-18, this version requires 3 3/4 yards of 45" fabric or 2 3/4 yards of 60" wide. The shorter versions for sizes 8-12 are 3 yards of 45" or 2 yards of 60", and in sizes 14-18, 3 1/2 yards of 45" or 2 1/2 yards of 60". Add a 1/2 yard of 60" fabric for the hood or 5/8 yard of 45" for any size.

Figure Flattering Skirts -- Pattern 1964 $15.00: This pattern has two versions, for those occasions you just want to whip up a quick skirt to go with a suit, and other times when the skirt is important. Neither skirt has a waistband. The quick version has a self-fabric facing at the top and can be lined or not. The second skirt has a center front slotted seam, drawing the eye to the center of the body. The back has four slimming panels. Every seam of this skirt works to flatter. This skirt has a faced yoke, with with a one piece lining attached to the lower edge of the facing.

The January 2003 newsletter featured 16 different ways to make the skirts pattern. That back issue has been reprinted and available for just $5.00 including postage. Just mail me a check or email me for it since the redesigns can also be used with other skirt patterns as well.

The simple skirt takes 1 3/4 yards of 45" fabric and 1 1/8 yards of 60" for all sizes. The slotted front skirt in sizes 8-12 requires 1 3/4 yards of 45" or 60" fabric, and in sizes 14-18 2 1/8 yards of 45" or 1 3/4 yards of 60".

Marfy Patterns and Catalogue

The Fall/Winter 2007catalogues have been shipped with just a few remaining. I am also offering periodic Postage Amnesty Days. That means a number of orders will be combined and then sent to you for only $1.50 up to ten patterns. The next one is September 30, 2007. Otherwise, patterns are usually ordered on Sunday evenings and mailed to you within one week. You can order through my email address: sewfashion@aol.com. If you want to use visa or mastercard for your order, you need to snail mail it to our office at Erickson Group, 613 Hickory Grove Ct., Dunlap, IL 61525.

I Have the Hard-to-Find Tailor Boards

Since every single seam on all garments must be pressed open even though it may be pressed together later, the MUST piece of equipment for my ironing is a Tailor Board. I use it to press open the seams of a collar, neck facings, front facings, etc. It has a variety of curved edges that suit any kind of seam's shape and pointed ends that work beautifully in corners. Since these are so important during our Chicago Fashion Sewing Weeks, I sell them for just $26.95 + postage to subscribers, $28.95 for all others. (These are normally $34.95 each or more.) Order them on the order form in the comments box before you print it out, or just email me.

Ambiance Linings are Available at Lowest Price Anywhere

This wonderful lining fabric is available to subscribers to match the newsletter fabrics and is otherwise available in at least 40 colors. Though I still have about 8 colors in the 54" width, it has been discontinued in this width by the manufacturer. I'll continue to sell it until it's gone from my shelves. It's treated to be static free and can be washed or dry cleaned which is why it is the perfect fabric for the pants liner included in pants pattern #1961 Whether you use it for the liner or in your jackets to cut down on winter static cling, you'll soon make this your first choice for lining fabrics. The 45" wide version is just $6.50 for subscribers with a fabric purchase, and just $6.75/yard for anyone else. The 54" has been discontinued by the manufacturer but what I have left is $7.50 for subscribers with a fabric purchase, and $7.75 for everyone else. I had washed some to make new pantsliners and managed to get an entire jacket lining for 1945A out of the leftover. The discovery I made was that the pre-washing gave the Ambiance a wonderful hand that made the lining easier to handle during sewing. It's also more matte which is another nice look for the lining as well. From now on, I've decided I'm going to machine wash the Ambiance for all of my projects whether they're ultimately washable or dry clean only. I just appreciate the new hand that pre-washing gives it.

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Copyright © 2005. Nancy Erickson Consulting