20 Instagram Accounts that will Advertise your Handmade Products

Having an Instagram account is a great way to advertise your products but it can take time to build up followers. So would't it be great to tap into someone else large amount of followers. Well here is a list of Instagram account that will feature your handmade products. 

1. Craft Finder

2. Creators Lane

3. Happier Handmade

4. Handmade Revolution

5. Exclusively Handmade

6. Creative Hive Co

7. Etsy Crafternoon

8. Beautiful Things

9. Handmade Loves

10. Handmade Curator

11. Handmade is Better

12. Etsy Gifts

13. Etsy Owl

14. Etsy Buzz

15. Handmade Free Trade

16. Etsy Crafty Fever

17. Etsy Sellers

18. Handmade Exchange

19. Lovable Handmade

20. Fave Handmade 

Fitting a Toile- An Essential Couture Skill

A toile is an essential part of the couture process. The fabrics being used are expensive and there would be no room for error. Making a toile allows you the opportunity to fit and plan the garment before you make it. It would save you damaging the final garment through unpicking.

Furthermore, fitting your toile will mean less time fitting your final garment. The markings on a toile need to be clear and can be marked with pencil or carbon paper. Marking on the waist, hip, bust and centre front and back will help you line up the garment when you are fitting. When taking in excess from the front or back, you must remember to check the side seams are still in the correct position. They can easily be pulled too far forwards or backwards. One way to stop side seams from travelling is to pin them in place, if something is being worn underneath that you can pin to. After the fitting, mark any corrections with coloured pencils. Then the toile can be altered and re-fitted until you are happy to make the final garment.

Dressing like the Peaky Blinders- A Historic Moment in Style

For most 1920's fashion conjures up images of flappers in fringed dresses. But what about the men?

The First World War brought on huge cultural changes with the relaxation of society rules. This did not however change the importance of the suit. A vital part of a man’s wardrobe since the 17th century, though these 20th century suit bare little resemblance to their predecessors, they are still worn by men of every class.

In this age of excess, when it came to men’s suits, the world looked to Saville Row. The tailors that populated the street handcrafted exquisite suits that fitted the customer like a glove. It is these tailors that favour the lounge suit over the morning suit, which leads to the lounge suit being adopted for the next hundred years.

One of the clear distinctions that separates 1920’s suits from other decades is the suit is made from a thick wool or a wool tweed. The jackets also have high lapels and 3 or 4 buttons on either a single or double breasted jacket. The one thing that changed over the decade, was the slim fit jackets became a much more boxy fit. Flap pockets were another characteristic of 1920’s jackets. The colour palate was very simple. Suits would be either brown, blue, grey or green.

Trousers always matched the jacket. They had two pleats at the top of the leg and a sharp crease down the centre. There would be a slit at each side for a pocket and a welt pocket on the back. Trousers would also have a thick cuff at the hem. The one significant change was the silhouette. The decade began with narrow slim fitted trousers and ended with oxford bags.

Draping on the Stand- An Essential Couture Skill

The first step a major fashion house takes in the creation of a couture garment is a the toile. The toile is simply a calico garment. By draping calico on the stand a pattern can be created for a one off couture garment, that will perfectly fit the buyer.

As the name implies, this technique is best used for a soft garment rather than a stiff tailored one. Many Couturier designers, such as Lanvin and Chanel provide the drapers with a drawing. Then the drawing is made into a toile and once the toile is made the designer can critique and make changes.

DIY Infinity Scarf

Winter is coming! Be prepare by starting your crochet infinity scarf now. A very simple crochet project. Simply crochet a large circle to go around your neck. Then use double or single crochet until your infinity scarf is the length you're happy with.  

The Art of Flat Tacking - An Essential Couture Sewing Skill

Alternatively know as basting, this is an essential skill of couture sewing. The term simple means a temporary stitch, that allows you to assemble your garment flatly.

Tacking is often seen as an unnecessary process but taking the time to lay out your fabric and tack together, can  transform your work from average to exquisite. This Elizabethan corset is made up of three layers. A layer of coutil, beige suiting fabric and a layer of lace.

The most basic flat tacking stitch is simply a long running stitch used to hold several layer of fabric together. This can be anchored with either a back stitch or a simple knot. Cotton is the best thread for tacking as it will snap much easier than poly-cotton. Making your life much easier as you remove your temporary stitching.

The Easy Crochet Phone Case

A really simple DIY project for you at home. All you need to know prior to this tutorial is how to crochet a rectangle. I choose to use the lemon peel stitch because of the great texture it creates but double and single crochet would work too. No matter what stitch you use, you need to have a rectangle the same length as your phone and 2 1/2 time its width to make the purse.

Lemon Peel Stitch

1. Chain a odd number to stitches (this chain should be the same length as your phone).

2. Do a single crochet in the second stitch of your chain. 

3. Go through the same hole and do a double crochet on top of the single crochet.

4. Miss a stitch and move on to the 4th stitch in the chain. Repeat the process before by doing a single crochet and a double on top.

The Phone Case

1. In the middle of the last row you crochet, chain 4 stitches instead of doing single and double crochets. This will make the loop for you button to go through.

2. Fold your rectangle into its purse shape. When you are happy with it sew the sides together with a stab stitch.

3. Sew on a button.

Now you phone case is ready for your phone. 

Find me on Bloglovin

Bloglovin is a great website that keeps you up-to-date with all your favourite bloggers. It's basically instagram for blogs.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin 

Free Kindle Books to Read When Setting Up an Etsy Shop

There are a number of resources you can use when setting up an Etsy shop. One great resource is free kindle books. I've collated a list of 7 for you to download and read now.

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1. 15 Handpicked Unique Suppliers for Handmade Businesses by Renae Christine

2. Passive Income Box Set by Vanessa Riley and Lawrence Mack

3. TEESPRING ETSY COMBO by Steph Ernest

4. ETSY SELLING FACEBOOK by Red Mikhail

5. Etsy: Simple Steps To Huge Profits by Sharon Kohl 

6. Etsy: The Etsy Guide to Setting up Your Own Etsy Business by E. Harrington

7. Amazon FBA and Etsy Box Set by Andrew Wood, David Turner, Michael Moore and Vanessa Rogers

Top 5 Free Online Dressmaking Patterns

Lots of blogs and pattern manufacturers are generously offer free patterns. I've collated a top five favourites and would like to share them.

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1. On The Cutting Floor Olivia Top - Off the shoulder tops are a big summer trend and you can now make your own. I'm currently making myself a yellow gingham version.

2.  Madalynne's Noelle Halter Bralette + Panty - My personal favourite of the Madalynne free patterns. I made mine out of blue jersey and wear it as a crop top.

3. Peppermint Magazine's Sewing School Kimono - I only found the Sewing School Patterns very recently but this pattern caught my eye. It's now on my list of future projects. 

4.  So Sew Easy Culotte Pattern - This Culottes are practical, comfortable and extremely glamourous.  

5. Colette Pattern's Sorbetto Top - So simple but the retro style means it's but boring. 

Also see

On The Cutting Floor

Madalynne's other free patterns

Peppermint Sewing School Free Patterns

So Sew Easy Free Patterns

Free Colette Patterns

The Cutest Way to Wear POM POMS

Pom Poms are everywhere, so why not have them in your hair too. I've been making Daisy Flower Pom Poms for my Pom Pom hair clips. Now available on Etsy. Available in pink, blue, gray, white and peach.

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Back Stitch

The second most important hand stitches, second to the running stitch. It leaves you with a solid line of stitching which I think is more aesthetically pleasing than a running stitch. I recently used back stitch to make a Fedora.

Sew a single straight stitch. Push your needle up a space ahead, then bring your needle through the same hole as the previous stitch. Continue the process, leaving with an unbroken line of stitching.

Handmade Retro Style Collars

Detached Collars with ribbon for an Adjustable size. Now available @ HandmadebyIsobelle on Etsy.

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Wire Stitch

Wire stitch is a stitch often used in millinery. I recently used the stitch to attach wire around the rim of the wool fedora.

Wire stitch is simply a blanket stitch used to attach a piece of wire to fabric. You will need to hold your wire in position on the end of your fabric. The next step is to push the needle through the fabric from back to front. Do the same stitch again, through the same place and going from back to front. One you pull the needle through this will leave you with a loop going over the wire and holding it in place. Push your needle through the loop you have just made. Move a short distance along and repeat the process.

Tilly and the Buttons Arielle Skirt

I've been looking for the perfect button front a-line mini skirt in shops but I just couldn't find it. I have now given up and decided to make my own. Tilly and the Buttons have a great pattern called the Arielle skirt, which interestingly buttons asymmetrical.

Fabric-I made my skirt out of blue corduroy I had lying around the house.

What Else will you need- To make the skirt you'll need interfacing for the facings and between 6-8 buttons.

Pattern- I bought the paper pattern from Tilly and the Buttons website

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Difficulty- This was a very simple make with easily understandable instructions. 

Shape and Fit- The skirt is a very flattering shape.

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Overall, I think this is a great pattern and I've finally got a a-line skirt to add to my wardrobe. I paired it with the Lace Scallop Body from Topshop. 

Stab Stitch

This stitch is incredibly easy and incredibly simple. If you do this stitch well it can be practically invisible. I have previously mention Stab Stitch in my post about the fedora I made. In this case I used the stitch for the ribbon around the brim.

Stab stitch is like a running stitch but much smaller. The needle is put through the fabric diagonally so there are spaces between the stitches.

Sew Vintage Magazine's 1950's Dress

The latest copy of The Vintage Sewing Magazine came with a 1950's dress pattern. With an interesting cross feature at the front and a skirt which can be worn both with and without a petticoat. 

Fabric- I decided to make my version with a crinkle satin polyester in a burgundy colour. Incredibly slippy but a very pretty colour.

What else will you need- The dress needs a invisible zip and a little bit on interfacing for the facings.

A Little Tip- If you need step by step instructions on how to insert underarm reinforcement squares,  I found a useful tutorial on Handmade Jane's Blog. This post explain the processes a lot better than the pattern, with lots of useful pictures.

Shape and fit- There quite a lot of fabric in the bodice and I would probably take it in a little bit more if I was to make the dress again. 

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the dress. It has a lovely drape to it and a great new addition to my wardrobe.

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The Secret World of Millinery: How to make a Fedora

The word Fedora comes from a play "Fedora" by Victorien Sardou . In 1882, the actress Sarah Bernhardt played the role Princess Fedora Romanoff and wore a centre creased soft brim hat. The hat also became popular choice for women's rights activist's. It wasn't until the 1920's, that men began wearing fedoras (popularised by Prince Edward).

Now I've decided to make my own. Using a Stetson crown block and wide circular brim block. I used two bottle green wool felt capeline which I steamed and stretched over the two blocks.

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Traditionally a  milner would sew the entire hat by hand so that's what I did too. Putting the hat together requires three different hand stitches; wire stitch, back stitch and stab stitch.

Wire Stitch

Wire stitch is the stitch I used to sew the wire round the brim.

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Back Stitch

Back stitch is one of the essential hand stitches. I used it to attach the crown and brim.

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Stab Stitch

Stab stitch is the stitch I used to sew petersham around the edge of the brim and sew in the hat band.

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After hours and hours of hand sewing, all that's left to do is add a hat band. Then it will be ready to wear. 

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The Dressmaker

I'm a costume making student, currently studying in Glasgow. I've always had a love of  

clothes, particularly vintage. This blog will follow my costume making work, the new items I make for my wardrobe and my projects on the side.

You can follow me on instagram @isobelle_joyce

Visit my online costume portfolio @ http://isobellej.wixsite.com/costumeportfolio

Or take a look at my Etsy shop @handmadebyisobelle