The Grainline Blog

Oaktag pattern pieces with handwritten notes, two rulers forming a right angle, and green measuring tape on white surface

Tips & Tricks: Estimating Yardage

Jen Beeman

We get a lot of questions along the lines of "I have the ___ pattern and I want to do a contrast ___. Do you know how much yardage that...

Tips & Tricks: Estimating Yardage

Jen Beeman

We get a lot of questions along the lines of "I have the ___ pattern and I want to do a contrast ___. Do you know how much yardage that...

Needle-turn applique in Carolyn Friedlander fabric: mustard shapes on grid and medallion blocks on white background

Carolyn Friedlander Weekend at Fancy Tiger Crafts

Jen Beeman

I know most of you are just here for the garment sewing tips, but I really think my knitting and quilting combine with garment sewing to make me better at...

Carolyn Friedlander Weekend at Fancy Tiger Crafts

Jen Beeman

I know most of you are just here for the garment sewing tips, but I really think my knitting and quilting combine with garment sewing to make me better at...

Person wearing blue silk noil Luna Jacket by Papercut Patterns with black jeans and mules, against a brick wall

Papercut Patterns Luna Jacket

Jen Beeman

When you've been in the indie pattern business for a while, as I have, you start to get to know many of the other pattern designers and eventually some of...

Papercut Patterns Luna Jacket

Jen Beeman

When you've been in the indie pattern business for a while, as I have, you start to get to know many of the other pattern designers and eventually some of...

Five fabric swatches on white: black denim, black and white woven geometric, rust linen, gray and white check, and dark denim

Fall '18 Sewing Inspiration and Plans

Jen Beeman

I've been thinking a lot about how I wanted to organize my fall wardrobe plans in a way that wasn't overwhelming and didn't set me up for guaranteed failure and...

Fall '18 Sewing Inspiration and Plans

Jen Beeman

I've been thinking a lot about how I wanted to organize my fall wardrobe plans in a way that wasn't overwhelming and didn't set me up for guaranteed failure and...

Julie Hoover Addison sweater in gray marled yarn beside Woolfolk Flette boucle skeins in tan, gray, light gray, and cream

My Fall '18 Knitting Plans

Jen Beeman

I've got the windows open at home while I work and that can only mean one thing - it's time to plan my fall knitting & sewing! This is pretty...

My Fall '18 Knitting Plans

Jen Beeman

I've got the windows open at home while I work and that can only mean one thing - it's time to plan my fall knitting & sewing! This is pretty...

Uniform Tunic in light gray linen with long sleeves and scooped V-neckline, styled with gold pendant necklace and black pants

My Uniform Tunics and Cardigan

Jen Beeman

While I often knit and sew garments to wear together I've never made two garments that were designed to go together. Enter the Uniform Tunics & Cardigan that we designed...

My Uniform Tunics and Cardigan

Jen Beeman

While I often knit and sew garments to wear together I've never made two garments that were designed to go together. Enter the Uniform Tunics & Cardigan that we designed...

Plaid brushed cotton shirt with visible mending stitches beneath pocket, shown with pocket partially detached and folded back

Mending - Do You or Don't You?

Jen Beeman

So I know we all sew, that's why we're here, but how do you all feel about mending? Personally I find it a bit soul crushing and I'm not sure...

Mending - Do You or Don't You?

Jen Beeman

So I know we all sew, that's why we're here, but how do you all feel about mending? Personally I find it a bit soul crushing and I'm not sure...

Scout Tee in teal with eye motif print showing backtack placement on shirt hem highlighted with orange circle annotation

Strategic Backtack Placement

Jen Beeman

Do you ever think about where your backtacks go when sewing? Or do you just start wherever when you sew things like hems? I'm a huge fan of strategic backtack...

Strategic Backtack Placement

Jen Beeman

Do you ever think about where your backtacks go when sewing? Or do you just start wherever when you sew things like hems? I'm a huge fan of strategic backtack...

Woman wearing Felix Dress in black rayon with multicolor floral print, in front of weathered brick building with green door

My Felix Dresses

Jen Beeman

Pattern: Felix Dress Fabric: April Rhodes for Art Gallery Fabric Content: Rayon Size Made: 8 Necklace: Tiro Tiro Shoes: Bryr Clogs It's been a hot minute since I posted a...

My Felix Dresses

Jen Beeman

Pattern: Felix Dress Fabric: April Rhodes for Art Gallery Fabric Content: Rayon Size Made: 8 Necklace: Tiro Tiro Shoes: Bryr Clogs It's been a hot minute since I posted a...

Felix Dress in blue and white striped linen with crossover V-neckline, showing bias facing applied to sleeveless armhole

Felix Sew-Along: Hems

Jen Beeman

Alright, today is the last day in the Felix Sew-Along and we'll be hemming our dresses! Hemming the dress is pretty much exactly the same as hemming the sleeves so...

Felix Sew-Along: Hems

Jen Beeman

Alright, today is the last day in the Felix Sew-Along and we'll be hemming our dresses! Hemming the dress is pretty much exactly the same as hemming the sleeves so...

Felix Dress in blue and white striped linen-rayon, crossover V-neckline, showing bias facing applied to sleeveless armhole

Felix Sew-Along: Sleeveless

Jen Beeman

Today we'll be using a bias facing to finish the armholes of the sleeveless version of the Felix Dress. If you've done this before or followed our flat bias facings...

Felix Sew-Along: Sleeveless

Jen Beeman

Today we'll be using a bias facing to finish the armholes of the sleeveless version of the Felix Dress. If you've done this before or followed our flat bias facings...

Felix Dress in teal abstract mark print, close-up of flutter sleeve construction and underarm seam detail on dress form

Felix Sew-Along: Sleeves

Jen Beeman

Alright, if you're putting sleeves on your Felix Dress, today is for you! If not, just sit back and wait for our next post. The instructions in the pattern booklet...

Felix Sew-Along: Sleeves

Jen Beeman

Alright, if you're putting sleeves on your Felix Dress, today is for you! If not, just sit back and wait for our next post. The instructions in the pattern booklet...

Felix Dress in teal abstract print with pink lining, showing interior construction with side seams open and lining exposed

Felix Sew-Along: Side Seams

Jen Beeman

We've got an easy day for you today in the Felix Sew-Along, we're just sewing up those side seams. Four seams and you're all done and can finally try on...

Felix Sew-Along: Side Seams

Jen Beeman

We've got an easy day for you today in the Felix Sew-Along, we're just sewing up those side seams. Four seams and you're all done and can finally try on...