A News Cafe dot com » Barbara Stone

What to Wear in Unpredictable Weather? Layers

Barbara Stone — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:00:18 +0000

Spring and early summer weather is unpredictable so it’s hard to know what to wear. The mornings can be cool and windy and by afternoon, it may be hot and dry. In Northern California, when we look outside and see sun, we think it’s short sleeve and sandal weather. However, when we actually step outdoors, we quickly begin to shiver…

Summer Weddings — What to Wear?

Barbara Stone — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:00:32 +0000

I know, I know, it’s only March. So why should you start thinking about your summer wardrobe? Have you gained or lost weight since last summer? Is your wardrobe too casual or does it contain lots of “work wear”? Or is it time for something new? Do you have the appropriate color for the bridal party pictures? Are you an odd siz…

How to Find a Perfect Prom Dress Without Breaking the Bank

Barbara Stone — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:17:50 +0000

It’s time to start thinking about what your daughter will wear to the prom, unless you are one of those who likes to wait until the last minute, get something from the clearance rack and try to make it work. Everyone is trying to save money these days, but waiting for tat special gown to go on clearance is an “iffy” way to get a…

January Closet Cleaning

Barbara Stone — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:33:55 +0000

I don’t know about you, but I get into a real cleaning mode during January. Something about the new year, a fresh start, etc. Or maybe it starts with putting away all the Christmas decorations, cleaning up after company leaves, and putting away all the pots and pans and serving dishes that we only use once a year.

Then the urge carries thr…

Hemming Chiffon

Barbara Stone — Mon, 18 May 2009 11:00:45 +0000

My teenage daughter chose a full-length chiffon gown for her prom. She is only 5′1″ tall, so of course we need to hem it. HELP! What is the best way to go about hemming chiffon and other slippery fabrics?

First the bad news: chiffon has got to be the most difficult fabric to work with. But the good news is that once you have accomplish…

Patterns of Frustration

Barbara Stone — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:00:59 +0000

Q: I have sewn since I was a girl, starting in 4-H and continuing in home economics in high school. I used to be able to take a pattern and with very little tweaking, make it fit me. Nowadays, patterns need so much tweaking that I get frustrated and my undone garment sits dejectedly in my sewing room. Is it me? Is it the patterns? I enjoy sewing but no…

How to Pick a Wedding Gown

Barbara Stone — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:54:31 +0000

I just got engaged and now I have to plan a wedding. I’d like to start with the dress but I’m not sure where to begin. I’ve looked at a few bridal magazines and some online sites. The models look so perfect. How do I decide what will look best on me?

Carla J. Las Vegas, NV

Congratulations on your engagement! When looking for a gown, the choices can be d…

Honey, the Closet Shrank My Suit!

Barbara Stone — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:03:42 +0000

I have a suit that I bought several years ago from a local men’s shop. I don’t wear suits on a daily basis because our work is pretty casual, but I wanted a suit to use for special occasions. I have a wedding coming up that I would like to attend, but the suit seems to have shrunk in the closet since the last time I wore it. Can anything be done?

W.…

How to hem distressed jeans

Barbara Stone — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 05:00:56 +0000

Question: I just bought a brand new pair of jeans for my daughter that in the “olden days” I would have tossed into the trash long ago. They are raggedy, holey and faded, but I guess that’s the style. My question is: how can they be hemmed and still keep that raggedy edge?

Answer: I understand where you are coming from. We used to have to wear our jea…

Vintage garments: How to alter and care for them

Barbara Stone — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:57:35 +0000

Q: My grandmother died recently and left me all sorts of beautiful clothes and furs. She was much heavier than I am and a couple of inches shorter. Would it be worth having some of my favorite pieces altered?

First, I’m sorry to hear about your loss – but your grandmother was lucky to have lived through so many fashion trends. She must have seen…

Sew and Sew: Bugs, blood and vinegar

Barbara Stone — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:59:56 +0000

Summer is here. Please clean your winter silks and woolens and store them safely away from bugs. Bugs like dark, warm places and they love to chew on natural fibers, especially the ones with perspiration and food residue. Yes, I know dry cleaning is expensive these days. But when you consider how much it costs to replace a bug-infested favori…

DIY wedding-dress alterations

Barbara Stone — Fri, 09 May 2008 06:38:04 +0000

It’s officially Wedding Season and I am flooded with questions about alterations for the wedding gown as well as dresses for the bridesmaids, mothers of the bride and groom, and even guests. I’ll try to answer one or two more of them and then we’ll move on to other topics.

My daughter is getting married in June and we are on…

Barbara Stone Q&A Expert Dressmaker & Alterationist Wedding Gowns

Barbara Stone — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:54:36 +0000

With wedding season approaching, I’d like to talk about a couple of subjects that always seem to come up this time of year: alterations for the wedding party and preservation of the bride’s gown.

Sarah M. of Lancaster, PA, asked a common question: When should I get my gown altered?

The answer is to make your appointment AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

If y…

Barbara Stone Q&A Dressmaker & Alterationist

Barbara Stone — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 07:01:22 +0000

Q: Can moth holes in my husband’s wool jacket be repaired? Diana M., Redding

Moths and other fiber-eating critters are a big problem in the north state, and they like the best fabrics. Cashmere seems to be their favorite. Holes in wool garments can be repaired, but how well depends on the kind of weave and the extent of the damage. If the h…

Barbara Stone Q&A Expert Dressmaker & Alterationist

Barbara Stone — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 04:58:12 +0000

I was first struck by Barbara’s skill, wit, tenacity and talent many years ago when I interviewed her for a story about her then home-based custom clothing designs.

I reconnected with Barbara about eight months ago when she designed and created a beautiful raw silk pants suit for me to wear to my son’s June wedding in the Czech Re…