· David Hubbard
Read the Label First: A Simple Guide to Clothing Care
Make sense of garment-care instructions, plan washing and drying together, and know when to ask a professional cleaner.
Alterations, Care, News
David’s Digital Journal
Custom garments and thoughtful clothing choices
Notes on planning a garment, understanding cloth and noticing the choices that affect how clothes feel and wear. The Journal gives these subjects room for a closer look, from early design ideas to the practical details inside a finished piece.
Read the latest articles
Browse the published articles below. Each piece focuses on a useful question about custom dressmaking, tailoring or choosing and caring for clothing.
Take Body Measurements You Can Use Again
A tape measure, a few clear landmarks and a dated paper record make choosing a sewing pattern size easier. Learn what to measure and how to check it.
Measurement and Fit, Patterns
· David Hubbard
How to Take Clothing Measurements at Home
Learn how to record body and garment measurements clearly, use a sewing tape, and prepare useful notes for your next fitting.
Alterations, Fittings, Measurements, News
How to Build a Useful Brief for a Custom Garment
A clear brief connects the look you want with the way a garment needs to work. Start with purpose, movement, personal preferences and a realistic order of priorities.
Design and Planning
Slopers, Blocks, and Garment Patterns: Where to Begin
Understand the different jobs of a sloper, a block, and a garment pattern, then make a small, practical plan for your first paper-and-fabric test.
Drafting, Patterns
· David Hubbard
Marking Clothes for Alterations: Show Your Preferred Trouser Hem
A step-by-step guide to showing your preferred trouser length with temporary folds and clear notes before a fitting.
Alterations, News
· David Hubbard
Sashiko and Boro: What Japanese Textile Repair Can Teach Us
Explore the relationship between sashiko stitching, boro textiles, and the thoughtful practice of keeping cloth in use.
Alterations, News
· David Hubbard
Before You Buy New: Give Your Clothes Another Chance
Repairing or altering clothes can preserve a favorite, improve its fit, and help avoid an unnecessary replacement. Here is why it is worth considering.
Alterations, Care, News, Repairs
· David Hubbard
Is It Worth Altering? A Practical Guide to Clothes You Already Own
A better fit can bring a favorite garment back into regular use. Here are the questions to consider before deciding whether an alteration is right for you.
Alterations, Care, News, Repairs
Design studies ahead
David plans to share new sketch designs for wedding dresses and Santa garb in future Journal posts. These will offer a look at ideas as they develop.
Follow the Journal
Use the RSS feed in your preferred feed reader to follow new Journal articles.
Looking for sewing instructions
Visit Resources for links to measuring, printing and fabric guides in the Pattern Studio. For the current approach to a new custom garment, start with Custom Tailoring.