Book Review – Everyday Clothing Fixes – Step-by-Step Guide for All Your Alteration Needs

February 28, 2023 by Shellie Wilson Leave a Comment

I recently reviewed the book “Everyday Clothing Fixes: Step-by-Step Guide for All Your Alteration Needs” and I have to say, I’m thoroughly impressed. When I was a beginner in the world of sewing, I was looking for a comprehensive guide that could teach me the basics of garment mending and this book delivers just that. The author, Lily Ardor, is a talented artist and sewing enthusiast who takes you through each step of the process with ease.

From choosing and setting up a sewing machine to finding that perfect stitch tension, the book covers all the important aspects of garment mending. I especially appreciated the Fitting 101 and Sewing 101 sections which helped me understand the basics of hemming, taking in, and tapering clothing. Lily’s teaching style is easy to follow and engaging, making the learning process a breeze.

What I found most helpful about this book were the projects included in it. From hand stitching to fixing zippers, I was able to put my newfound skills to use right away. I was especially impressed with the denim knee patch and taking in a blouse projects which givse me the confidence to tackle bigger alterations. The book even includes a section on replacing a jacket zipper, which I never thought I could do until now.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their clothing alterations skills. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sewer, there’s something in this book for everyone. So, grab your needle and thread, and get ready to hem those pants and sew those buttons!

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Sew a Pincushion for Pins, Needles, and Fabric Clips

It doesn’t matter whether you sew by hand or by machine, you need a pincushion. You need a spot to parks pins and needles and keep them within easy reach for when you need them again. There are a lot of styles of pincushion to choose from. Some magnetic, some fabric. Some cute, some purely functional. This “little bit extra” pincushion has a spot to store all the different types of pins and needles you might need while sewing. Polka Dot Chair has a free sewing pattern you can use to make one for yourself.

This handy little pincushion has a circular shape and is divided into sections to store different types of pins. The bottom section is for your regular straight pins. Just poke them in and they’re ready for when you need them. The top has one section with a felt flap perfect for holding your sewing needles. I don’t know about you but I don’t like mixing my hand sewing needles in with my pins on a pincushion. It makes it hard to find the needle when I want it. So having a separate section for the needles is a great idea.

This “little bit extra” pincushion also has a spot to hold a few fabric clips. Fabric clips have become popular alternatives to a traditional straight pin. They hold fabric pieces together without piercing the fabric, which is important when sewing leather, vinyl, or other materials that will show permanent holes from pins.

You can sew the “little bit extra” pincushion from large fabric scraps or small fabric cuts (fat eighth). You probably already have all the supplies you need to sew one in your sewing supplies already.

Get the free pattern for this “little bit extra” pincushion over at Polka Dot Chair.

[photo credit: Polka Dot Chair]

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