How to use a thimble

When I saw this in my book "Successful Dressmaking", I thought "Oh, that's how it's done". So, you're probably thinking I've never used a thimble ........ I have and I own one. I do however remember not knowing how to correctly use it and mucking around until I finally came up with the idea that's illustrated (I think I did anyway - it was quite a few years ago). In the intervening years, I'd apparently forgotten again. Which leads me to another thing - I recently had to use my thimble and it's way too small. I know I would have bought a cheap one and I'm pretty sure that at the time I didn't have a choice of sizes. Maybe it's one of those situations where you need to pay more for a 'custom' fit?

Some advice from McCall's in 1969

I have a lot of old sewing books and sometimes the advice they give really cracks me up, here's an example:

"FOR SHOPPING. In the city, a simple dress or suit is most appropriate. Add a comfortable top coat when necessary. Pants are out.
For neighborhood shopping in the suburbs, follow the same formula using casual styles. However, if you look well in slacks, you can wear them here."(McCall's Step-By-Step Sewing Book, 1969)

Okey dokey ..... pants are OUT for the city, I've been quite the rebel without even realising it.


And completely unrelated, here's a pic from Quito - I did buy some of those scarves. The table runners I bought in Otavalo look similar to the lime & orange number at the bottom of the pic too.

Quito, Ecuador 2010

How to make a cape / capelet

This is from a book I just received - Successful Dressmaking The Complete Book of Dressmaking, fully illustrated with step by step instructions by Ellen & Marietta Resek