I made a linen dress, for the first time, based off the one you did. I absolutely love it! Softened the fabric with Coke. It doesn't stick to your body on hot days. The gathers under the bust end up being more vertical lines as they drape. I dressed it up with a shell necklace, wore it to a party. Wore it to church & now I'm wearing it as a house dress, like I remember old ladies doing. I'm becoming an older lady myself. One & done dressing, shaded legs, no tight waistband on a hot day. I'm making more!
Great information! I recently bought linen sheets and I'm really loving them. I've lost 70 pounds over the last year and I need to make some new clothing. After getting my sheets, I really want to try making some linen clothing. This video is really helpful. By the way, you can use food grade citric acid or vinegar instead of coke to soak and soften your linen. Its cheaper, and doesn't have the sugars and excess chemicals that soda does. The acid in the soda is just citric acid.
@@sylvievicenza179 I use the recipe from a blog called mommyinparis. It’s 6 tablespoons of citric acid powder to 1 liter of water, let it dissolve (warm water makes it easier to dissolve), and then use 50-100 ml of that solution per laundry load. She says you can add 15 drops of fragrance to the solution when you mix it if you want a scent. She also has a recipe for a vinegar based solution. I don’t know if I can leave links in the comments, I’ll try in a separate comment.
Another tip is to buy sheets for sewing clothing. You get a lot of yardage from a king size flat sheet you will get 3 yards of 60" fabric and 3 yards of 45" fabric. Then there's all the extra fabric from the fitted sheet. Use the pillowcases to sleep on. Nice!
Amazing! I almost skipped over the store recommendations, as I live in New Zealand and was ready to assume your recommendations would all be USA based! What a treat to hear you start out with The Fabric Store as a recommended store!
I just found two linen dresses at a local thrift store. And yesterday, I purchased linen in two different colors, to make clothing to wear to my first Renaissance festival, in my home state of Texas, this November. It is usually rather warm in November, in the 60°s, but plan on having a short lightweight wool cape with me, in case a cold front comes through, or it rains. I am usually cold, so need the extra warmth, especially in the mornings. Oh, I am an 80 year old widow, who loves to make period garb, and wear them for everyday. Obviously, there is a little bit of an entertainer in my genes.
I loved this video I love linen fabric, my son-in-law’s in his mid fifties asked me to make a Wardrobe by Me tropical shirt out of a pure linen sheet which was one of a pair which had been an unused wedding present belonging to his parents so it must have been at least 45 years old and it turned out lovely he was over the moon. I love your makes.
My grandson is getting married on a cruise to the Caribbean and their outfits are going to be linen. Many of us are also going to wear linen. A most beautiful material.
I just love your conversational videos. I put them on in the background while I clean or sew. I don't care much about the color palettes for complimenting my complexion butttt I have made a color palette for my family (me, hubby, two littles) based on our favorite colors and patterns. We have recently gotten really overwhelmed by the baby and toddler clothes because they usually come in sets and then you have to match them when they come out of the wash which is more stressful than I can describe. So we made an intial list of a kids wardrobe that we can work with and the idea will be making their clothing less... abundant and easier to match. The family color pallet is Christmas red and green and silver, wheat tan, flyers orange (Philly hockey team), and Pitt yellow and blue. I know those colors are all very bold but we don't wear clothes for other people, we wear clothes for us! I'm doing pretty well learning how to sew clothing (I come from a quilting background) so hopefully I'll be able to buy large quantities of the same fabrics and make an item or two for each of our closets at a time. We're more practical wardrobe people than fashionable. I started sewing apparel because my husband buys linen shirts and wool briefs that are extremely expensive (he works construction so they help him with the sweating and heat)
I am another person who has been sewing for many years but never with linen. Living in Northern Ireland this seems odd as we have a great traditional linen history and my grandparents grew it! Anyway, you inspire everyone who watches and listen’s to you and I have to get the linen out of the stash and into a garment 😄 Thanks for the inspiration xx
Just as lock down happened I bought fifteen yards of linen. I have never tried sewing real one hundred percent linen. I have your capsule wardrobe pdf. This was just so perfectly timed for me! Not sure why it took me a couple of months to find this video. Thank you!
I have a friend who, like me, loves linen. She says if all you have to worry about is wrinkles in linen, life is good. I agree. Love you chanel, and the shorts look fab. Best wishes from new Zealand, and Yay the Fabric Store is a great fabric store in my town.
Whitney...I'm a brand new sewist who is just fascinated and mesmerized by sewing garments. I have quilted for years and loved color and fabrics for decades. I particularly want to thank you for teaching me how to wash and dry my linen. I have asked groups a couple of times without a clear answer so thank you. Any other lessons on different types of fabrics would be much appreciated. You show us a lot about different fabrics and patterns (yes I took big advantage of the last Love Notions sale) and love you and your channel and have shared it with members of my favorite podcast, Make and Decorate with Stephanie Socha. hugs...Karen
Linen is my fav! My first sew with it was the Cielo top out of my grammas white linen tablecloth that had a stain or two! It turned out so beautiful. Cut out a button shirt from the leftovers. Two of my staple wardrobe items. Made the Sienna jacket and several more styles that I wear constantly. I never iron any of them after drying. Just shake out of the dryer and hang them up! Many more summer projects with luscious colors. Making Carolyn PJs now with some Amy Butler piping. So darn cute! My two granddaughters now want some too! This was fun watching!💕
I pulled out my linen and rayon last night and started going through my patterns to see what I will make. It’s getting very warm here and my long-sleeve knits and denim are just too warm. Yay for linen!!
I love your videos Whitney! We have an online store in Australia called "de Linum" who only sell linen and they ship internationally. Thanks for the coke trick 😊
Just had to say I LOVE your hair in the Elodie dress picture. I watch your videos obviously for hints and tips but mainly because you are so jolly and fun to watch. Always a treat!
@@TomKatStitchery It's definitely an unsung skill! As is less formal and indeed global sharing of creative skills. Lockdown changed lives in so many ways and sewing is so good for our mental health, so taking it up properly has opened a whole new world for me. PS yesterday I went to buy a zip and obviously came back with some fabric too.... I bought a remnant of cotton curtain fabric in a large-pattern yellow and white gingham as I thought in the worst case scenario I could try the coca cola trick. In the even worse scenario it can become a tablecloth!
Sandra Betzina says linen wrinkles look like "rich people wrinkles" - lol. Press your linen with a hot, DRY iron before washing to remove the sizing before washing. A Kenneth King trick for reducing wrinkles is to wash in hot water and dry on hottest heat FOUR TIMES. I need to try the Coke trick! I love the Robert Kaufmann linen/rayon blend - it resists wrinkles well. I'm about to make some Calder Pants and a Cielo dress with it. I also picked up the Robert Kaufmann linen from the Cashmerette discount this month - it washed up really well.
I have ordered several pieces of linen from the Fabric-Store, but never made clothing with them. You inspire me and recommending pattern sources is huge, because clothing patterns are not easily found locally any more. I made a lot of clothing years ago, but not recently. I am especially interested in the pants.
I treat my linen that same. It's my absolute favorite fabric and I don't mind the wrinkles one bit. It feels comfy and casual, yet luxurious. No need to fight the linen. But yes, I air dry and then toss them into the dryer before wearing to soften up because they're always stiff from air drying. Great video and info!
Love this video. Thanks for all the recommendations. Peggy Sagars is the Coke tip from years ago. Love your ideas and so excited to have found you. I am in Cashmerette club too. I am going to watch this several times. Love the fit notes for each one. Great job.
Love linen! Just finished sewing a Sew Over It Kitty Blouse in an enzyme washed linen from Beyond The Pink Door (online fabric shop in Ireland with lots of lovely linen fabric). Thanks for this vlog I find it awesome. Have a nice day from Anna in Sweden 🌷🌷🌷
First time viewer and I am hooked!! I love the patterns you shared. It seems like they would all fall into a classic type category. I have sewed clothing for a long time and always selected patterns that would flow from year to year instead of chasing the latest trend which often did not fit my body type. I've always gotten compliments on my garments with most thinking that I'm either on trend or really fashion forward. I love linen as well but years ago could not usually afford it as I was a single mother. (kids are not cheap but so worth it.) I still do have a jacket (not sure what happened to the matching skirt) in my closet that I made of navy blue linen and a purchased oyster-colored skirt. Both have stood the test of time and many washes. I have a purchased light tan pants and jacket set for summer although I need to shorten the legs on the pants; the set was on sale but it's so easy to shorten pants. Now that I know where to get really nice linen, I'll be doing some shopping. My wardrobe is in sad need of near total replacement. I live in the Mid-Atlantic region where summers tend to be sultry and I wanted to be more comfortable this year going out for walks in parks or wherever instead of hunkering down with the AC. Just before the lockdowns, I'd taught all the granddaughters how to sew. I brought my machines (so I can sew while the other does embroidery--ridiculous multi-tasking, I know) and used the one they share. They all loved it. Maybe I can talk one of them into trying to sew clothing. One made a doll for a class as her contribution to the project (again before lockdown) depicting an American Indian and it was incredibly gorgeous! I know I've babbled on here but this video has me quite inspired.
@@TomKatStitchery I particularly liked all the patterns you showed. I've become disenchanted with the big four commercial pattern companies because they are too much like off-the-rack. Since I have a number of fitting problems, having things like the plunging necklines or ultra-close fitting pants leave me looking far too immodest. It's one thing to appear attractive but another thing entirely to put all the goods in the store window so to speak. The links you shared led me to look at many of the designers offering most of which seem to fit into a category I would find useful and quite likeable. I was not aware of these places and sincerely appreciate the knowledge.
I love linen too! Great video, a lot of fun to see someone else's style. I've made a few Paper Theory Block Tee's in lovely linens and they get better and softer with time.
I love linen too and I agree let linen do whatever it wants. I think I’m the one that told you about the Coke trick from Peggy Sagers and it works great for softening any jeans or denim fabric. I just made a sewing workshop Hudson pants with line and they did grew. I had to remove the waist and lower it. Thanks for your tips for linen.
I’m just getting into sewing clothes (I’m a quilter) really keen to learn to sew linen AND I live in New Zealand 🥳🥳 so happy to get gorgeous linen from good old NZ . Have just come across your Chanel
Just chiming in to say vinegar softens linen too (you can use it to soften all your laundry actually). It has the same acidity as coke, and is cheaper and less sticky!🤓 Loved the video! Linen is the best!
I live in the South and linen is my favorite summer fabric. I recently made the Stella Skirt by Sew to Grow out of the Kaufman Essex Linen Blend fabric and it is a great combination.
Hi Whitney-you are so inspiring and I always look forward to your videos! I love your pattern choices and fabrics even though I wear jewel tones and cool colors. You have so much to teach others and I do appreciate you! Thank you!
I love linen! It’s called the Noble Fabric for a reason… I work with every weight, from very coarse to handkerchief. FYI, handkerchief linen is lightweight but very densely woven, great for boho summer tops. I always prewash before cutting (run cut edges thru serger first). Sal Suds organic liquid soap to wash in cool water. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the rinse to soften. I use vinegar as my fabric softener in all laundry (also to rinse hand wash silk). Finally, dry in dryer on delicate. I usually hang it for a few days to straighten the grain before cutting. Cheers from Chelsea, QC!
What perfect timing for you to have this video. I have just bought some off white, almost a pale beige to make some walking shorts, I never use a drying but I did wash it in the temp that the directions said, which is 40 degrees just a bit warm. After I make anything after that first before cut, then I pretty much just use cold.
Loved this video. Perfect timing for me. I have been wearing 100% thrifted linen clothes for 3 years now. Those hot flashes are gone when wearing linen. I have used linen tablecloths and napkins to make bedding and pillow cases. Amazing. But I am ready to trace the pieces i currently have to practice sewing clothes with linen. You made a reference to body heat causing the fabric to grow as an issue with bottoms. What happens? How do you compensate for it? Thanks so much for your videos and you have a new subscriber. 💜
In bottoms, linen does have a reputation for bagging out at the knees and for waistlines growing. The knees don't bother me as much as most of my linen pants are pretty loose so it's not an issue. For fitted waists, sewing elastic into the top seam allowance keep it from growing. I have a video here: th-cam.com/video/1OOJ-tmfwi8/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the ideas! I will be attending Palmer Pletsch sewing camp this summer so I love your ideas for dresses. They may make my TO DO camp sewing list. I enjoyed the episode. You can really have a party for one, can’t you? Too Funny! I love you laughing at yourself. 🤣🤣🤣 Looking forward to your Friday episode.
I enjoyed this video on linen as last year I bought a pretty pink 100% linen fabric and after pre-washing and drying it in the dryer it felt stiff and rough. I was eager to try your tip to soften linen by soaking it in Coca Cola. You mentioned that you had tried this with white linen and it didn't stain. I used 2 liters of regular coke and water in a basin as you suggested. After soaking my 3 1/2 yards of linen for 12 hours in the coke and water solution, then rinsing and washing, the fabric not only still felt stiff and rough but the coke turned the pretty pink a brownish color. Thinking that OxyClean might get out the stain, I soaked the fabric in hot water and OxyClean for 11 hours, then rinsed twice and dried it in the dryer. The brownish stain improved but was still not completely gone. I will be donating this fabric to a thrift shop as I no longer like the color and texture. I take full responsibility for the result, but wanted to let you know as this tip doesn't work for all linen fabrics. I had bought mine at JoAnn's and it may be that there was another fiber(s) with the linen that was not specified on the bolt.
Oh no! I'm so sorry that happened! What a disappointment! I should have suggested trying a test sample first as some fabrics do react differently to different methods.
Thank you so much! I did see that but I made a pair of pants out of a linen rayon blend that grew so much I couldn't have worn them with 4 inch heels! I took them in and shortened them by 2 inches on each side and two inches at the hem and waist. I love the fabric but the pants still grew a bunch. I guess I was hoping for some miracle tips! I always look on your channel. It's great.
Ahh! When rayon is added to the mix, the weight can definitely make them grow. Unfortunately, this might have just been the fabric. While some linen/rayon blends will need to be re-hemmed over time (the same for viscose or rayon jersey knits), they usually don't grow width wise as well. That's a frustrating problem, though!
I have done the Coke treatment and it works great! I use 2 liter Coke in a top loader washer without soap and it works great on ALL natural fibers. A fabric dealer in New York shared it with PeggySagers of Silhouette Patterns and she shares it on her videos.
I use Palmer/Pletsch Perfect Fuse Sheer and Medium for almost all my interfacing, so it would depend on the weight of the linen on which one I would use. Unfortunately, linen just grows with wearing. While there are tricks to keep waistbands from growing, the vertical stretching is harder.
Thanks for asking Pat. I was going to add a comment. I was looking forward to some tips, but I think Whitney forgot to add that to the video. Thanks for answering Whitney.
This video is like you are reading my mind; and I so wanted to pick your brain on linen , my thoughts as I was shopping in SR Harris last week! I walked out without any linen because it's so confusing when I don't have any experience with this fiber. Thank you for the Coke trick! I purchased a piece of linen from So Sew English fabrics and when it arrived I almost thought it was home decorating fabric it's so stiff and didn't soften enough to use after washing. I will be trying the coke soak. Thanks for all your videos!
Thanks for another lovely and thoughtful video, Whitney! I learn so much from you with each video! Beautiful patterns to consider! ALso thanks for sharing photos of the finished makes, it's so helpful to see the examples.
I agree with you about linen - it is also my all time favorite fabric to sew. I found a knit linen that i've made several t-shirts from as well. I also love Merchant & Mills linen fabrics. Enjoy your video! Very inspiring for me to get moving on my wardrobe.
I dry it as yardage in the dryer and then air dry the finished garment. However, about 5 minutes in the dryer really does release some of the creases and soften it up once it's dry!
I'm in Canada and my go to linen store is Pure Linen Envy. It's located in Ontario so the shipping doesn't take too long and they have shipping discounts if you purchase more than $150. They sell three different weights and they have extra wide which is great for making bed sheets. I overheat very easily and am allergic to heat so linen has been a blessing in general but especially in the summer months. I find that even thin linen isn't as see through as a thin cotton so I can have super lightweight clothes but not feel exposed. The fact that linen is naturally antimicrobial is a cool bonus.
I picked up the rhapsody pattern during the LN sale recently so I'm looking forward to trying that in linen. First up will be the Friday Pattern Co saguaro set, though. I've got some black fabrics-store linen ready to go for it and I am so excited!
I Love, love love this video. There is only one pattern you mentioned I do not already own. And about 3 I have cut out and ready to go for vacation at Memorial Day.
What do you think about linen with stretch in it to avoid wrinkling? I’ve decided to make linen pants. I was watching your most recent video & looked up ‘making linen pants” and your video was the first video to pop up! Do you realize how much information you have up? Wow! Thank you!
I LOVE that! To answer your question, I think the addition of lycra will help with some of the wrinkling in linen. I also find that linen/silk and linen/cotton blends don't wrinkle as much either.
Whitney, I just bought some linen from the Fabric-store and wasn't sure what to make with it. Thanks for the suggestions. The Coke idea was very helpful. Suzanne
This was super inspiring! I've also seen that Lauren from Guthrie and Ghani has just posted a video all about linen, talking through what they have in their shop. I think the linen gods are trying to tell me something!! I felt like I had enough linen garments, but I have been reaching for them so much during Me-Made-May. Apparently I need more now? 😬
Another great video Whitney! Loved all your suggestions and ideas - I have been using a can of coke in my wash for denim but for sure it would work on any fabric that's stiff with "sizing". My aunt who has lupus also has had a sun allergy for decades (she's now 80) and she uses sunscreen all the time, hats, umbrellas and buys SPF clothing. I think it's Ritz that makes a product that you can wash you clothing in that offers SPF through a few washes that you might want to check out. Unfortunately this allergy does get worse with aging. It's dangerous. :(
Perfect timing! I was just looking at my linen fabrics wondering what to do with them (I bought them from Blackbird Fabrics). Strangely enough I haven't made anything with them yet because I wasn't sure which patterns would be good. So now I've decided that the Rhapsody and the Cadence will be first on my list. Thanks for all your suggestions. Oh and I think the coke thing might have been Peggy Sagers saying that it softened up denim. That's interesting to know it can work for linen also. Thanks again!! Love your videos. :-)
Even though I have been sewing for many years, I have never sewn with 100% linen fabric. I do have 2 yards of a light weight linen from Core Fabrics that I was thinking of using for the ITS Seychelle blouse (or maybe LN Rhapsody). The linen is rather sheer so I was going to underline just the bodice in cotton lawn. Do you think that would be okay? Thanks for all your linen tips, pattern ideas, and shopping choices. I would like to start making more garments out of linen. P.S. After asking you about shipping, I placed an order with Minerva on Sunday evening and got an email Monday morning saying my order had been shipped already. Talk about fan-girling, I have learned so much from your videos since coming back to garment sewing this year. So much has changed in the two decades I haven't been sewing. Thanks so much, Whitney!
I've always loved linen, but I used to live in a really humid part of the country. now that I live in a dry area, it's not so great, The fibers absorb moisture from the air, and the clothing hangs beautifully; That's why those white linen suits used to look so great in New Orleans. Now I still love it when we have a rainy week
I made the sienna maker long jacket from a linen viscose + I so love love love that jacket. It worked really well-Thanks for all the suggestions. Need some more linen -LOL
Great video, I love the look and the idea of linen but am never sure what to buy or make! Also my son now lives in Wellington which I believe is where The Fabric store is. He is coming home for a vacation in the summer, might have to put in a wee order! 😂
I am so enjoying the heck out of your videos this week, well I enjoy all of them, but this week is great for me. Thank you so much for your cola tip on softening linen. I have some in my stash that I will definingly be using this tip on. I've purchased many of my pieces of linen from the Fabric-store and have been very pleased, especially their Signature Finish line. I made the Ava dress from Pattern Scout out of that linen and oh my, it turned out gorgeous. You and I have similar body measurements (5'2", short torso, swayback, 39', 33', 40') so I really look forward to hearing what you did to your patterns for that perfect fit. Thank you again!!
Thanks for this video! I had been wondering if I was looking at the wrong Fabric Store - I thought they were the same, but the Fabric_Store newsletters just didn't seem to match up with the linen you talk about occastionally. So those links are really helpful. I've used a couple Stylemaker linens and they are lovely! ( Peppermint Pocket Skirt and M & M Hattie Dress. ) I love working with linen, too and will watch for your next linen-y goodness!
loved all your beautiful linen tops. Plain solid linencolours really show off the design lines.Great tip with the coke. sounds like a better use than drinking it! We are very lucky to have The Fabric Store here in Australia. The shops have a mindblowing array of fabrics! Linen is much much more sustainable than cotton. To read about the nightmare of cotton production have a look at the movieThe True Cost...its a mindblowing movie .
@@TomKatStitchery yes you must! Love to show you round! I was born in New Zealand and there's only my mum there now. We have lived here for nearly 20 years
I also prefer dresses in Summer. I find trousers of any sort too uncomfortable to wear then. I recently made a linen shirt from Liesl and Co Classic Shirt but I made a hack version with a tab front. Very nice with 3/4 pants in Autumn. I have also made a shirt and dress from Linen-silk! Well that is a blend made in heaven! Cloth Edit in Australia sells it....beautiful. I also tumbled across a linen-cotton blend and made the Closet Core Pietra pants (cropped) which were also lovely for our mild Autumn weather. Thank-you for this.
I have really been eyeing Cloth Edit. They have some stunning pieces! Their international shipping is a bit prohibitive for me, but, man, they have gorgeous stuff!
@@TomKatStitchery Yes we both have similar problems don't we regarding getting things from one side of the planet to another. Maybe when there is a sale on you might find it more economical?
I love your videos and really enjoyed this one. I think you said at the beginning of the video that you were going to talk about what to do about growing in linen. I didn't see it and really want to get some help with that!
Sorry about that! For growing waistbands, I sew a piece of cotton twill tape into the top waistband seam. I show you how I do this in this video: th-cam.com/video/1OOJ-tmfwi8/w-d-xo.html
Florida (USA) resident here… I machine wash my linen and then hang it on plastic hangers and give it a good dousing with water to set vertical lines. Very easy and looks casually pressed.
You really must try the 1C64 in French Lilac (on sale today) at the Fabric-Store. It is part of their luxury linen line and is so much nicer than the IL019 or the IL020. And, if you’re really feeling ritzy then buy a yard of IL098 in Loire Natural/Insignia Blue (again, on sale today) and make a GORGEOUS fall/winter scarf. I promise you you will not be disappointed! Thank you for the wonderful video on linen.
I also sort of beat it up before sewing. I press my seams like crazy when constructing the garment, including the hem. Then I do tumble dry, but don’t iron after finishing it. If it gets crumpled in the dryer, i put it on a hanger and mist with water and let it hang overnight. More water is needed for sharper wrinkles/creases.
@@TomKatStitchery It’s amazing what a spray of water will do. I keep a spray bottle in every room. Even in the kitchen, there are so many times where that’s all you need.
Thank you so much! I’m new to sewing and you are an inspiration! Unrelated to linen ! Random suggestion for a video topic - Sewing for work - and fabrics that don’t need ironing ? I want to sew a capsule wardrobe for work but I’m not sure how to select fabric that will last and wear well at work/ minimal ironing ? Or maybe you could mention a good source to learn what different fabrics are ? 💕🙌
I love your videos! So inspiring. I bought some lovely linen last fall that I need to make up. I love hearing about your makes, since my shape is not unlike yours.
Linen is constantly rinsing itself - taking in and giving off moisture to the exact tune of whatever it's covering seems to need. From the humidity or dryness of an indoor environment (with thick linen drapes or wall hangings and Japanese norens to babies to hard-working sweaty people. It's magical! Instantly warms when it's cold and cools when it's hot. I had a favorite, off-white linen shirt with a huge coffee stain on the front. It was older and I didn't want to attack the stain aggressively and thought I'd dye it someday so it got relegated to being worn around the house UNTIL I noticed that, after not wearing it for a couple of years, it had "rinsed" the remaining coffee stain away, all by itself! Tip - don't wash natural fibers with that homemade laundry soap crap. It's far too alkaline, gets into the fibers and slowly eats away at them. It's the same as using baking soda for an alternative to shampoo. It's great for a while but then your hair starts breaking off. It is too alkaline to have down in hairs and fibers. It just is. You can neutralize it with a citric acid rinse/soak but the truth is, detergent makers really do know what they're doing and that detergent is far better than soap when it comes to natural fibers. Plus, with linen, you don't have to wash it that often. Unless its really gross and dirty, just hang it up and let it rinse itself out and kill off whatever bacteria might be in it and if you use it as bath towels, be aware that the reason bath towels get so gross is because you're NOT merely wiping water off the skin. If you're not taking cold showers - which are actually good for you - what you're wiping off your skin is SWEAT. Same with hot baths. There's a whoooole lotta sweat in that bathwater.
Thank you so much for this! This was fascinating and I learned more about linen! It really is a magical fiber and there are clearly reasons it's the oldest used clothing fiber!
@@TomKatStitchery I forgot I was going to say that an old truck driver my ex knew used flat coke to clean his windshield wipers. Claimed he never had to replace them. Never tried it so not sure about that one - I was wondering what they used to soften linen - maybe they use Coke! I've been playing with citric acid, as well, which seems to be an excellent water softener, definitely works to clean out a Keurig and cleans a dishcloth with an overnight soak but tht's as far as I've gotten, other than little things like adding it to my hand soap bottle and dishwater. Haven't tried it for cleaning the washing machine - but I have high hopes for it!! Maybe I'll add a little Coke, too!!
I got my linnen shirts from storage for the summer, and they had lots of folds - i solved that by hanging them in the shower (not under it) and let it steam up in there and turned off the shower and just left them: no more folds to be seen after just half an hour.
Very nice pattern choices for linen..my fav fabric! Have you purchased any linen from Pure Linen Envy in Canada? I’d love to hear your assessment. I was surprised to see that you chose the Elodie dress as the bodice can be overwhelming from some shapes. I’d love to see you do a video on proportion and how to adjust for our bodies.💕
I haven't tried Linen Envy, but I'll go have a look! I sewed the Elodie as is with a slight FBA and find it really flattering. It's one of my favorite dresses!
@@TomKatStitchery it is very flattering! I worry about looking swamped in some designs so I probably err on the conservative side but I trust your design sense😊
Thanks for the coca cola tip! I'm going to try that one for sure. I'm loving all things linen now - just ordered some of the Vintage Linen from the Fabric Store to try out - I'm excited!
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I made a linen dress, for the first time, based off the one you did. I absolutely love it! Softened the fabric with Coke. It doesn't stick to your body on hot days. The gathers under the bust end up being more vertical lines as they drape.
I dressed it up with a shell necklace, wore it to a party.
Wore it to church & now I'm wearing it as a house dress, like I remember old ladies doing. I'm becoming an older lady myself. One & done dressing, shaded legs, no tight waistband on a hot day.
I'm making more!
This makes me so happy and that dress sounds perfect for the current weather!
Great information! I recently bought linen sheets and I'm really loving them. I've lost 70 pounds over the last year and I need to make some new clothing. After getting my sheets, I really want to try making some linen clothing. This video is really helpful.
By the way, you can use food grade citric acid or vinegar instead of coke to soak and soften your linen. Its cheaper, and doesn't have the sugars and excess chemicals that soda does. The acid in the soda is just citric acid.
Hello from Italy, Do you know the proportion of citric acid? I have a big bag of it in powder form.
@@sylvievicenza179 I use the recipe from a blog called mommyinparis. It’s 6 tablespoons of citric acid powder to 1 liter of water, let it dissolve (warm water makes it easier to dissolve), and then use 50-100 ml of that solution per laundry load. She says you can add 15 drops of fragrance to the solution when you mix it if you want a scent. She also has a recipe for a vinegar based solution. I don’t know if I can leave links in the comments, I’ll try in a separate comment.
This is such a great tip! Thank you so much for sharing this! I'll pass this along on the channel!
Another tip is to buy sheets for sewing clothing. You get a lot of yardage from a king size flat sheet you will get 3 yards of 60" fabric and 3 yards of 45" fabric. Then there's all the extra fabric from the fitted sheet. Use the pillowcases to sleep on. Nice!
If you soak linen in salt it softens it and reduces the creasing
That's a great tip as well!
Do you do this before sewing up or after? And does it need this just once?
@@SeasidePrincess She says she does it as yardage.
@@susanbarnhart1616 thank you! And thank you for replying! I was just thinking about this and couldn’t remember who talked about it!! ☺️😇🙏
@@susanbarnhart1616 How many tablespoons is required
Amazing! I almost skipped over the store recommendations, as I live in New Zealand and was ready to assume your recommendations would all be USA based! What a treat to hear you start out with The Fabric Store as a recommended store!
They are my favorite place to grab linen!
I go in there to shop all the time. They are such a fantastic shop. Beautiful stuff
I just found two linen dresses at a local thrift store. And yesterday, I purchased linen in two different colors, to make clothing to wear to my first Renaissance festival, in my home state of Texas, this November. It is usually rather warm in November, in the 60°s, but plan on having a short lightweight wool cape with me, in case a cold front comes through, or it rains. I am usually cold, so need the extra warmth, especially in the mornings. Oh, I am an 80 year old widow, who loves to make period garb, and wear them for everyday. Obviously, there is a little bit of an entertainer in my genes.
This sounds like so much fun! I love that you are repurposing thrift finds!!
I loved this video I love linen fabric, my son-in-law’s in his mid fifties asked me to make a Wardrobe by Me tropical shirt out of a pure linen sheet which was one of a pair which had been an unused wedding present belonging to his parents so it must have been at least 45 years old and it turned out lovely he was over the moon. I love your makes.
That's a great upcycling project!
My grandson is getting married on a cruise to the Caribbean and their outfits are going to be linen. Many of us are also going to wear linen. A most beautiful material.
I just love your conversational videos. I put them on in the background while I clean or sew. I don't care much about the color palettes for complimenting my complexion butttt I have made a color palette for my family (me, hubby, two littles) based on our favorite colors and patterns. We have recently gotten really overwhelmed by the baby and toddler clothes because they usually come in sets and then you have to match them when they come out of the wash which is more stressful than I can describe. So we made an intial list of a kids wardrobe that we can work with and the idea will be making their clothing less... abundant and easier to match.
The family color pallet is Christmas red and green and silver, wheat tan, flyers orange (Philly hockey team), and Pitt yellow and blue. I know those colors are all very bold but we don't wear clothes for other people, we wear clothes for us!
I'm doing pretty well learning how to sew clothing (I come from a quilting background) so hopefully I'll be able to buy large quantities of the same fabrics and make an item or two for each of our closets at a time. We're more practical wardrobe people than fashionable. I started sewing apparel because my husband buys linen shirts and wool briefs that are extremely expensive (he works construction so they help him with the sweating and heat)
I love that you are sewing for yourself and your family! I'm all for wearing what brings you joy and ease!
I am another person who has been sewing for many years but never with linen. Living in Northern Ireland this seems odd as we have a great traditional linen history and my grandparents grew it!
Anyway, you inspire everyone who watches and listen’s to you and I have to get the linen out of the stash and into a garment 😄 Thanks for the inspiration xx
You definitely need to sew up some linen! What a wonderful family lineage!
I like the way you are natural in your delivery and don’t cut every stumble out of your video.
That is so nice to hear! Thank you!
Just as lock down happened I bought fifteen yards of linen. I have never tried sewing real one hundred percent linen. I have your capsule wardrobe pdf. This was just so perfectly timed for me! Not sure why it took me a couple of months to find this video. Thank you!
Oh good! Linen is so lovely to work with and wear!
I have a friend who, like me, loves linen. She says if all you have to worry about is wrinkles in linen, life is good. I agree. Love you chanel, and the shorts look fab. Best wishes from new Zealand, and Yay the Fabric Store is a great fabric store in my town.
You are so lucky to have The Fabric Store in your area! I love their fabrics!
How lucky can a person be? A great linen store in your town!
Whitney...I'm a brand new sewist who is just fascinated and mesmerized by sewing garments. I have quilted for years and loved color and fabrics for decades. I particularly want to thank you for teaching me how to wash and dry my linen. I have asked groups a couple of times without a clear answer so thank you. Any other lessons on different types of fabrics would be much appreciated. You show us a lot about different fabrics and patterns (yes I took big advantage of the last Love Notions sale) and love you and your channel and have shared it with members of my favorite podcast, Make and Decorate with Stephanie Socha. hugs...Karen
Thank you so much for sharing the channel! That is so kind of you! I can definitely talk more in depth about fabrics going forward!
Linen is my fav! My first sew with it was the Cielo top out of my grammas white linen tablecloth that had a stain or two! It turned out so beautiful. Cut out a button shirt from the leftovers. Two of my staple wardrobe items. Made the Sienna jacket and several more styles that I wear constantly. I never iron any of them after drying. Just shake out of the dryer and hang them up! Many more summer projects with luscious colors. Making Carolyn PJs now with some Amy Butler piping. So darn cute! My two granddaughters now want some too! This was fun watching!💕
I bet those PJs are going to be adorable!!!! I think I need some linen Carolyn PJs now!
Your makes are inspiring. Pure Linen Envy in Canada has a great range at a great price. Thanks for the Coke tip!
This is great to hear! I've never heard of that fabric shop, but I'll go have a look!
I’m from Canada but live in Ohio. Thanks for sharing, they have lovely colors & affordable!!
I pulled out my linen and rayon last night and started going through my patterns to see what I will make. It’s getting very warm here and my long-sleeve knits and denim are just too warm. Yay for linen!!
Yay for linen!!!
I love your videos Whitney! We have an online store in Australia called "de Linum" who only sell linen and they ship internationally. Thanks for the coke trick 😊
Ooh! I'll go have a look!
Just had to say I LOVE your hair in the Elodie dress picture. I watch your videos obviously for hints and tips but mainly because you are so jolly and fun to watch. Always a treat!
I love being called jolly! Thank you so much for just a lovely comment!
@@TomKatStitchery It's definitely an unsung skill! As is less formal and indeed global sharing of creative skills. Lockdown changed lives in so many ways and sewing is so good for our mental health, so taking it up properly has opened a whole new world for me. PS yesterday I went to buy a zip and obviously came back with some fabric too.... I bought a remnant of cotton curtain fabric in a large-pattern yellow and white gingham as I thought in the worst case scenario I could try the coca cola trick. In the even worse scenario it can become a tablecloth!
Sandra Betzina says linen wrinkles look like "rich people wrinkles" - lol. Press your linen with a hot, DRY iron before washing to remove the sizing before washing. A Kenneth King trick for reducing wrinkles is to wash in hot water and dry on hottest heat FOUR TIMES. I need to try the Coke trick! I love the Robert Kaufmann linen/rayon blend - it resists wrinkles well. I'm about to make some Calder Pants and a Cielo dress with it. I also picked up the Robert Kaufmann linen from the Cashmerette discount this month - it washed up really well.
I love a good linen/rayon blend as well!
I have ordered several pieces of linen from the Fabric-Store, but never made clothing with them. You inspire me and recommending pattern sources is huge, because clothing patterns are not easily found locally any more. I made a lot of clothing years ago, but not recently. I am especially interested in the pants.
You can do it! Check out my website for my favorite pattern companies (and some discount codes) www.tomkatstitchery.com/resources
I treat my linen that same. It's my absolute favorite fabric and I don't mind the wrinkles one bit. It feels comfy and casual, yet luxurious. No need to fight the linen. But yes, I air dry and then toss them into the dryer before wearing to soften up because they're always stiff from air drying. Great video and info!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Love this video. Thanks for all the recommendations. Peggy Sagars is the Coke tip from years ago. Love your ideas and so excited to have found you. I am in Cashmerette club too. I am going to watch this several times. Love the fit notes for each one. Great job.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Love linen! Just finished sewing a Sew Over It Kitty Blouse in an enzyme washed linen from Beyond The Pink Door (online fabric shop in Ireland with lots of lovely linen fabric). Thanks for this vlog I find it awesome. Have a nice day from Anna in Sweden 🌷🌷🌷
I bet that is a beautiful top!
First time viewer and I am hooked!! I love the patterns you shared. It seems like they would all fall into a classic type category. I have sewed clothing for a long time and always selected patterns that would flow from year to year instead of chasing the latest trend which often did not fit my body type. I've always gotten compliments on my garments with most thinking that I'm either on trend or really fashion forward.
I love linen as well but years ago could not usually afford it as I was a single mother. (kids are not cheap but so worth it.) I still do have a jacket (not sure what happened to the matching skirt) in my closet that I made of navy blue linen and a purchased oyster-colored skirt. Both have stood the test of time and many washes. I have a purchased light tan pants and jacket set for summer although I need to shorten the legs on the pants; the set was on sale but it's so easy to shorten pants.
Now that I know where to get really nice linen, I'll be doing some shopping. My wardrobe is in sad need of near total replacement. I live in the Mid-Atlantic region where summers tend to be sultry and I wanted to be more comfortable this year going out for walks in parks or wherever instead of hunkering down with the AC.
Just before the lockdowns, I'd taught all the granddaughters how to sew. I brought my machines (so I can sew while the other does embroidery--ridiculous multi-tasking, I know) and used the one they share. They all loved it. Maybe I can talk one of them into trying to sew clothing. One made a doll for a class as her contribution to the project (again before lockdown) depicting an American Indian and it was incredibly gorgeous!
I know I've babbled on here but this video has me quite inspired.
Welcome to the channel! I'm so glad you found me and so glad to hear that you've been inspired!!
@@TomKatStitchery I particularly liked all the patterns you showed. I've become disenchanted with the big four commercial pattern companies because they are too much like off-the-rack. Since I have a number of fitting problems, having things like the plunging necklines or ultra-close fitting pants leave me looking far too immodest. It's one thing to appear attractive but another thing entirely to put all the goods in the store window so to speak. The links you shared led me to look at many of the designers offering most of which seem to fit into a category I would find useful and quite likeable. I was not aware of these places and sincerely appreciate the knowledge.
Fabrics-store is my go to for linen. They have "softened linen" and "signature finish". They are both great and soft.
They have really great prices as well!
Russian linen. Not what many of us who support Ukraine want to do.
Great video! Thanks🙏
My pleasure!
I love linen too! Great video, a lot of fun to see someone else's style. I've made a few Paper Theory Block Tee's in lovely linens and they get better and softer with time.
Ooh! I need some linen woven T-shirts!
I love linen too and I agree let linen do whatever it wants. I think I’m the one that told you about the Coke trick from Peggy Sagers and it works great for softening any jeans or denim fabric. I just made a sewing workshop Hudson pants with line and they did grew. I had to remove the waist and lower it. Thanks for your tips for linen.
You were the one that shared that tip with me and it has worked so great!
You are very talented girl. Lots of great ideas. That being said….. I’ll be watching you.
Thank you
I’m just getting into sewing clothes (I’m a quilter) really keen to learn to sew linen AND I live in New Zealand 🥳🥳 so happy to get gorgeous linen from good old NZ . Have just come across your Chanel
Wonderful!
I’m so excited to try the Coke trick. I need that for sure. Thanks for passing along that tip.
Let me know how it goes!
Just chiming in to say vinegar softens linen too (you can use it to soften all your laundry actually). It has the same acidity as coke, and is cheaper and less sticky!🤓 Loved the video! Linen is the best!
That's a great tip! Thank you!
I live in the South and linen is my favorite summer fabric. I recently made the Stella Skirt by Sew to Grow out of the Kaufman Essex Linen Blend fabric and it is a great combination.
The Essex Linen blend is delightful!
You’ve inspired me to get out my sewing machine. Linen is my favorite fabric and I agree with you about not ironing. I like the crumply look 😉
Oh good! I'm so glad!
Great information! I just learned something new today!
Thank you!🪡🧵🪡
Oh good!
Hi Whitney-you are so inspiring and I always look forward to your videos! I love your pattern choices and fabrics even though I wear jewel tones and cool colors. You have so much to teach others and I do appreciate you! Thank you!
Thank you so much for the kind comment!
I love linen! It’s called the Noble Fabric for a reason… I work with every weight, from very coarse to handkerchief. FYI, handkerchief linen is lightweight but very densely woven, great for boho summer tops. I always prewash before cutting (run cut edges thru serger first). Sal Suds organic liquid soap to wash in cool water. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the rinse to soften. I use vinegar as my fabric softener in all laundry (also to rinse hand wash silk). Finally, dry in dryer on delicate. I usually hang it for a few days to straighten the grain before cutting. Cheers from Chelsea, QC!
What great tips! I'm going to share these!
Thank you for the tips, I'm about to sew for the first time with linen and I'm so excited kkk...
You will be great!
Wonderful, informative video, I have never seen linen and now I am inspired. Thank you so much
It's a really easy to manage fabric. It's definitely one of my favorites to sew and to wear!
What perfect timing for you to have this video. I have just bought some off white, almost a pale beige to make some walking shorts, I never use a drying but I did wash it in the temp that the directions said, which is 40 degrees just a bit warm. After I make anything after that first before cut, then I pretty much just use cold.
Me too. I wash almost everything in cold.
Loved this video. Perfect timing for me. I have been wearing 100% thrifted linen clothes for 3 years now. Those hot flashes are gone when wearing linen. I have used linen tablecloths and napkins to make bedding and pillow cases. Amazing. But I am ready to trace the pieces i currently have to practice sewing clothes with linen. You made a reference to body heat causing the fabric to grow as an issue with bottoms. What happens? How do you compensate for it? Thanks so much for your videos and you have a new subscriber. 💜
In bottoms, linen does have a reputation for bagging out at the knees and for waistlines growing. The knees don't bother me as much as most of my linen pants are pretty loose so it's not an issue. For fitted waists, sewing elastic into the top seam allowance keep it from growing. I have a video here: th-cam.com/video/1OOJ-tmfwi8/w-d-xo.html
Try lining them past the knee, maybe just the front pieces.
Thanks for the ideas! I will be attending Palmer Pletsch sewing camp this summer so I love your ideas for dresses. They may make my TO DO camp sewing list.
I enjoyed the episode. You can really have a party for one, can’t you? Too Funny! I love you laughing at yourself. 🤣🤣🤣
Looking forward to your Friday episode.
😂 you've got that right. Part of one here all the way! Have fun at your sewing camp! That sounds delightful!
I enjoyed this video on linen as last year I bought a pretty pink 100% linen fabric and after pre-washing and drying it in the dryer it felt stiff and rough. I was eager to try your tip to soften linen by soaking it in Coca Cola. You mentioned that you had tried this with white linen and it didn't stain. I used 2 liters of regular coke and water in a basin as you suggested. After soaking my 3 1/2 yards of linen for 12 hours in the coke and water solution, then rinsing and washing, the fabric not only still felt stiff and rough but the coke turned the pretty pink a brownish color. Thinking that OxyClean might get out the stain, I soaked the fabric in hot water and OxyClean for 11 hours, then rinsed twice and dried it in the dryer. The brownish stain improved but was still not completely gone. I will be donating this fabric to a thrift shop as I no longer like the color and texture. I take full responsibility for the result, but wanted to let you know as this tip doesn't work for all linen fabrics. I had bought mine at JoAnn's and it may be that there was another fiber(s) with the linen that was not specified on the bolt.
Oh no! I'm so sorry that happened! What a disappointment! I should have suggested trying a test sample first as some fabrics do react differently to different methods.
Thank you so much! I did see that but I made a pair of pants out of a linen rayon blend that grew so much I couldn't have worn them with 4 inch heels! I took them in and shortened them by 2 inches on each side and two inches at the hem and waist. I love the fabric but the pants still grew a bunch. I guess I was hoping for some miracle tips! I always look on your channel. It's great.
Ahh! When rayon is added to the mix, the weight can definitely make them grow. Unfortunately, this might have just been the fabric. While some linen/rayon blends will need to be re-hemmed over time (the same for viscose or rayon jersey knits), they usually don't grow width wise as well. That's a frustrating problem, though!
I love your pattern suggestions, and the NZ Fabric Store is just wonderful! I see lots of linen in my future!
That shop is my favorite for linen!
I have done the Coke treatment and it works great! I use 2 liter Coke in a top loader washer without soap and it works great on ALL natural fibers. A fabric dealer in New York shared it with PeggySagers of Silhouette Patterns and she shares it on her videos.
I'm still scared to try on light colored fabric. I should really try swatch and conquer my fear
Love your tips on linen fabric. Thanks for sharing all of you resources. Ann from Va.
Thank you so much!
I loved your show! Especially for dad !
I'm so glad!
Lots of great ideas. Do you have a favorite interfacing to use with linen? How do I stop the legs of pants from growing?
I use Palmer/Pletsch Perfect Fuse Sheer and Medium for almost all my interfacing, so it would depend on the weight of the linen on which one I would use. Unfortunately, linen just grows with wearing. While there are tricks to keep waistbands from growing, the vertical stretching is harder.
Thanks for asking Pat. I was going to add a comment. I was looking forward to some tips, but I think Whitney forgot to add that to the video. Thanks for answering Whitney.
This video is like you are reading my mind; and I so wanted to pick your brain on linen , my thoughts as I was shopping in SR Harris last week! I walked out without any linen because it's so confusing when I don't have any experience with this fiber. Thank you for the Coke trick! I purchased a piece of linen from So Sew English fabrics and when it arrived I almost thought it was home decorating fabric it's so stiff and didn't soften enough to use after washing. I will be trying the coke soak.
Thanks for all your videos!
I am so jealous you were in SR Harris last week. I HAVE to get back up there sometime! Let me know how the Coke goes!
Thanks for another lovely and thoughtful video, Whitney! I learn so much from you with each video! Beautiful patterns to consider! ALso thanks for sharing photos of the finished makes, it's so helpful to see the examples.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
I agree with you about linen - it is also my all time favorite fabric to sew. I found a knit linen that i've made several t-shirts from as well. I also love Merchant & Mills linen fabrics. Enjoy your video! Very inspiring for me to get moving on my wardrobe.
I need to make some knit linen t-shirts as well!
My favorite also . I would of never taught linen could go in the dryer . Dryers is not my favorite toy lol . Thanks ! Great Chanel .
I dry it as yardage in the dryer and then air dry the finished garment. However, about 5 minutes in the dryer really does release some of the creases and soften it up once it's dry!
I'm in Canada and my go to linen store is Pure Linen Envy. It's located in Ontario so the shipping doesn't take too long and they have shipping discounts if you purchase more than $150. They sell three different weights and they have extra wide which is great for making bed sheets. I overheat very easily and am allergic to heat so linen has been a blessing in general but especially in the summer months. I find that even thin linen isn't as see through as a thin cotton so I can have super lightweight clothes but not feel exposed. The fact that linen is naturally antimicrobial is a cool bonus.
Ooh! I"m going to have to look at that site! Thank you for the recommendation!
Great video with fabulous information. Thanks! 😃
My pleasure!
I picked up the rhapsody pattern during the LN sale recently so I'm looking forward to trying that in linen. First up will be the Friday Pattern Co saguaro set, though. I've got some black fabrics-store linen ready to go for it and I am so excited!
I have been eyeing that pattern!
I Love, love love this video. There is only one pattern you mentioned I do not already own. And about 3 I have cut out and ready to go for vacation at Memorial Day.
Oh good!
What do you think about linen with stretch in it to avoid wrinkling? I’ve decided to make linen pants. I was watching your most recent video & looked up ‘making linen pants” and your video was the first video to pop up! Do you realize how much information you have up? Wow! Thank you!
I LOVE that! To answer your question, I think the addition of lycra will help with some of the wrinkling in linen. I also find that linen/silk and linen/cotton blends don't wrinkle as much either.
Whitney, I just bought some linen from the Fabric-store and wasn't sure what to make with it. Thanks for the suggestions. The Coke idea was very helpful.
Suzanne
Oh good!
This was super inspiring! I've also seen that Lauren from Guthrie and Ghani has just posted a video all about linen, talking through what they have in their shop. I think the linen gods are trying to tell me something!! I felt like I had enough linen garments, but I have been reaching for them so much during Me-Made-May. Apparently I need more now? 😬
😂 I get it! I have a hard time turning down linen!
Thank you Whitney, I appreciate this video! I am going to commit to at least two linen dresses this summer.
Good for you!
Another great video Whitney! Loved all your suggestions and ideas - I have been using a can of coke in my wash for denim but for sure it would work on any fabric that's stiff with "sizing". My aunt who has lupus also has had a sun allergy for decades (she's now 80) and she uses sunscreen all the time, hats, umbrellas and buys SPF clothing. I think it's Ritz that makes a product that you can wash you clothing in that offers SPF through a few washes that you might want to check out. Unfortunately this allergy does get worse with aging. It's dangerous. :(
I was afraid that would be the case 🙄. I will continue my vampire ways in the warmer months and definitely have a look at that SPF product!
My BFF is allergic to the sun, too. It doesn't matter how much sunscreen she slathers on, she breaks out in horrible looking itchy hives 😢
Perfect timing! I was just looking at my linen fabrics wondering what to do with them (I bought them from Blackbird Fabrics). Strangely enough I haven't made anything with them yet because I wasn't sure which patterns would be good. So now I've decided that the Rhapsody and the Cadence will be first on my list. Thanks for all your suggestions. Oh and I think the coke thing might have been Peggy Sagers saying that it softened up denim. That's interesting to know it can work for linen also. Thanks again!! Love your videos. :-)
I think you might be right. It works great with linen as well!
Even though I have been sewing for many years, I have never sewn with 100% linen fabric. I do have 2 yards of a light weight linen from Core Fabrics that I was thinking of using for the ITS Seychelle blouse (or maybe LN Rhapsody). The linen is rather sheer so I was going to underline just the bodice in cotton lawn. Do you think that would be okay? Thanks for all your linen tips, pattern ideas, and shopping choices. I would like to start making more garments out of linen. P.S. After asking you about shipping, I placed an order with Minerva on Sunday evening and got an email Monday morning saying my order had been shipped already. Talk about fan-girling, I have learned so much from your videos since coming back to garment sewing this year. So much has changed in the two decades I haven't been sewing. Thanks so much, Whitney!
I'm so glad you're trying Minerva. I really enjoy them! I think underlining/interlining with cotton lawn would be perfect!
@@TomKatStitchery Thanks.
Thanks for recommendations. Love wrapped dresses. I also found luxury pattern linen dresses of Grand Duchess brand.
I love wrap dresses as well!
I've always loved linen, but I used to live in a really humid part of the country. now that I live in a dry area, it's not so great, The fibers absorb moisture from the air, and the clothing hangs beautifully; That's why those white linen suits used to look so great in New Orleans. Now I still love it when we have a rainy week
That is so interesting and makes complete sense!
Love, love love anything linen, nice ideas!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
I made the sienna maker long jacket from a linen viscose + I so love love love that jacket. It worked really well-Thanks for all the suggestions. Need some more linen -LOL
I bet that's a gorgeous jacket!
Sew Me Sunshine has beautiful linen, also.
Great vid, Thank you! )
Ooh! I'll go have a look at her stuff!
Great video, I love the look and the idea of linen but am never sure what to buy or make! Also my son now lives in Wellington which I believe is where The Fabric store is. He is coming home for a vacation in the summer, might have to put in a wee order! 😂
That's a great idea!
Wonderful video. I am so glad I found you.
Thank you! I’m glad you found me as well!
I am so enjoying the heck out of your videos this week, well I enjoy all of them, but this week is great for me. Thank you so much for your cola tip on softening linen. I have some in my stash that I will definingly be using this tip on. I've purchased many of my pieces of linen from the Fabric-store and have been very pleased, especially their Signature Finish line. I made the Ava dress from Pattern Scout out of that linen and oh my, it turned out gorgeous. You and I have similar body measurements (5'2", short torso, swayback, 39', 33', 40') so I really look forward to hearing what you did to your patterns for that perfect fit. Thank you again!!
I'm so glad to read this! Thank you!
The Upland Dress works beautifully in medium weight linen. I did a pleated skirt with flutter sleeves. Chef's kiss.
That sounds beautiful!
Thanks for this video! I had been wondering if I was looking at the wrong Fabric Store - I thought they were the same, but the Fabric_Store newsletters just didn't seem to match up with the linen you talk about occastionally. So those links are really helpful. I've used a couple Stylemaker linens and they are lovely! ( Peppermint Pocket Skirt and M & M Hattie Dress. ) I love working with linen, too and will watch for your next linen-y goodness!
It is very confusing with the shop names being so similar!
I love your stiff linen solution, it sounds so cool and I'll try it if needed.
I’ve only known about this for a couple of years, but it’s worked so well when I’ve done it!
I love your sewing nook 😍
Thank you!
Hi Whitney how long do you soak the linen in the coke? thx
I think I let mine sit about an hour, but you might not need that long.
loved all your beautiful linen tops. Plain solid linencolours really show off the design lines.Great tip with the coke. sounds like a better use than drinking it! We are very lucky to have The Fabric Store here in Australia. The shops have a mindblowing array of fabrics! Linen is much much more sustainable than cotton. To read about the nightmare of cotton production have a look at the movieThe True Cost...its a mindblowing movie .
One day, I want to visit Australia (and New Zealand) and I am putting a trip to The Fabric Store on my list of places to visit!
@@TomKatStitchery yes you must! Love to show you round! I was born in New Zealand and there's only my mum there now. We have lived here for nearly 20 years
I also prefer dresses in Summer. I find trousers of any sort too uncomfortable to wear then. I recently made a linen shirt from Liesl and Co Classic Shirt but I made a hack version with a tab front. Very nice with 3/4 pants in Autumn. I have also made a shirt and dress from Linen-silk! Well that is a blend made in heaven! Cloth Edit in Australia sells it....beautiful. I also tumbled across a linen-cotton blend and made the Closet Core Pietra pants (cropped) which were also lovely for our mild Autumn weather. Thank-you for this.
I have really been eyeing Cloth Edit. They have some stunning pieces! Their international shipping is a bit prohibitive for me, but, man, they have gorgeous stuff!
@@TomKatStitchery Yes we both have similar problems don't we regarding getting things from one side of the planet to another. Maybe when there is a sale on you might find it more economical?
Great video. Thanks for all the suggestions. I hope you consider doing a sewing segment on the cropped Sienna pattern.
While I can't do a sew along for it (they offer paid classes on their site), I can definitely show some bits and pieces!
I love your videos and really enjoyed this one. I think you said at the beginning of the video that you were going to talk about what to do about growing in linen. I didn't see it and really want to get some help with that!
Sorry about that! For growing waistbands, I sew a piece of cotton twill tape into the top waistband seam. I show you how I do this in this video: th-cam.com/video/1OOJ-tmfwi8/w-d-xo.html
Florida (USA) resident here… I machine wash my linen and then hang it on plastic hangers and give it a good dousing with water to set vertical lines. Very easy and looks casually pressed.
That's a great idea!
19:05 writing this to remember the pattern. Beautiful wrap dress!
Thank you!
You really must try the 1C64 in French Lilac (on sale today) at the Fabric-Store. It is part of their luxury linen line and is so much nicer than the IL019 or the IL020. And, if you’re really feeling ritzy then buy a yard of IL098 in Loire Natural/Insignia Blue (again, on sale today) and make a GORGEOUS fall/winter scarf. I promise you you will not be disappointed! Thank you for the wonderful video on linen.
Ooh! I"ll go have a look!
I. Absolutely adore linen, thank you for the inspiration
Me too!
I also sort of beat it up before sewing.
I press my seams like crazy when constructing the garment, including the hem. Then I do tumble dry, but don’t iron after finishing it.
If it gets crumpled in the dryer, i put it on a hanger and mist with water and let it hang overnight. More water is needed for sharper wrinkles/creases.
The water misting is so smart! I'm going to try that!
@@TomKatStitchery It’s amazing what a spray of water will do. I keep a spray bottle in every room. Even in the kitchen, there are so many times where that’s all you need.
Loved that hack for the Alton. :) I might get into dresses again yet.
Me too! I thought that was so cute!
I love rumpled linen!
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Hi...how long do you let the linen soak in the Coke? I'm anxious to try it! Thanks for the tip!
I soaked mine for about 45 minutes!
Thank you so much! I’m new to sewing and you are an inspiration! Unrelated to linen ! Random suggestion for a video topic - Sewing for work - and fabrics that don’t need ironing ? I want to sew a capsule wardrobe for work but I’m not sure how to select fabric that will last and wear well at work/ minimal ironing ? Or maybe you could mention a good source to learn what different fabrics are ? 💕🙌
That's a fabulous idea for a video series. I think a work and vacation capsule would be similar in using fabrics that wash and wear well!
I love your videos! So inspiring. I bought some lovely linen last fall that I need to make up. I love hearing about your makes, since my shape is not unlike yours.
I'm s glad you enjoyed it!
Love all of these patterns…..
Thank you!
Thanks Whitney, I'm about to make a black linen cadence!!
Oh good!
Linen is constantly rinsing itself - taking in and giving off moisture to the exact tune of whatever it's covering seems to need. From the humidity or dryness of an indoor environment (with thick linen drapes or wall hangings and Japanese norens to babies to hard-working sweaty people. It's magical! Instantly warms when it's cold and cools when it's hot. I had a favorite, off-white linen shirt with a huge coffee stain on the front. It was older and I didn't want to attack the stain aggressively and thought I'd dye it someday so it got relegated to being worn around the house UNTIL I noticed that, after not wearing it for a couple of years, it had "rinsed" the remaining coffee stain away, all by itself!
Tip - don't wash natural fibers with that homemade laundry soap crap. It's far too alkaline, gets into the fibers and slowly eats away at them. It's the same as using baking soda for an alternative to shampoo. It's great for a while but then your hair starts breaking off. It is too alkaline to have down in hairs and fibers. It just is. You can neutralize it with a citric acid rinse/soak but the truth is, detergent makers really do know what they're doing and that detergent is far better than soap when it comes to natural fibers. Plus, with linen, you don't have to wash it that often. Unless its really gross and dirty, just hang it up and let it rinse itself out and kill off whatever bacteria might be in it and if you use it as bath towels, be aware that the reason bath towels get so gross is because you're NOT merely wiping water off the skin. If you're not taking cold showers - which are actually good for you - what you're wiping off your skin is SWEAT. Same with hot baths. There's a whoooole lotta sweat in that bathwater.
Thank you so much for this! This was fascinating and I learned more about linen! It really is a magical fiber and there are clearly reasons it's the oldest used clothing fiber!
@@TomKatStitchery I forgot I was going to say that an old truck driver my ex knew used flat coke to clean his windshield wipers. Claimed he never had to replace them. Never tried it so not sure about that one - I was wondering what they used to soften linen - maybe they use Coke! I've been playing with citric acid, as well, which seems to be an excellent water softener, definitely works to clean out a Keurig and cleans a dishcloth with an overnight soak but tht's as far as I've gotten, other than little things like adding it to my hand soap bottle and dishwater. Haven't tried it for cleaning the washing machine - but I have high hopes for it!! Maybe I'll add a little Coke, too!!
@@hootiebubbabuddhabelly I would definitely try some citric acid to soften your linen!
I got my linnen shirts from storage for the summer, and they had lots of folds - i solved that by hanging them in the shower (not under it) and let it steam up in there and turned off the shower and just left them: no more folds to be seen after just half an hour.
Steam really does work wonders on linen!
Very nice pattern choices for linen..my fav fabric! Have you purchased any linen from Pure Linen Envy in Canada? I’d love to hear your assessment. I was surprised to see that you chose the Elodie dress as the bodice can be overwhelming from some shapes. I’d love to see you do a video on proportion and how to adjust for our bodies.💕
I haven't tried Linen Envy, but I'll go have a look! I sewed the Elodie as is with a slight FBA and find it really flattering. It's one of my favorite dresses!
@@TomKatStitchery it is very flattering! I worry about looking swamped in some designs so I probably err on the conservative side but I trust your design sense😊
Thanks for the coca cola tip! I'm going to try that one for sure. I'm loving all things linen now - just ordered some of the Vintage Linen from the Fabric Store to try out - I'm excited!
Oh good! That vintage finish linen is just perfection!
This was so informative… thank you!
My pleasure!
Enjoyed your presentation
I'm so glad!
I'm trying to make a linen tank dress
Thanks so much - great information here.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
In Canada, Blackbird fabrics has excellent linen too!
I've never ordered their linen, but going by the rest of their stock, I bet its amazing!