Sewing Techniques – Page 13

Read all about it: Getting the size right on a sewing pattern

August 4, 2010 by Anne Weaver

There is little that is more frustrating than spending hours creating a garment only to realize at the end that you cut the garment out on the wrong size from the pattern. Suzannah from Adventures in Dressmaking dedicates a post… Read more ...

Tutorial: Materials and measurements to draft your own patterns

August 1, 2010 by Anne Weaver

LiEr from ikat bag begins her series of tutorials on drafting your own patterns. This first post gives a rundown of the materials you’ll need and how to take measurements. Her tips for getting accurate measurements are awesome! She makes… Read more ...

Tutorial: Creating bound edges on knit fabrics

July 28, 2010 by Anne Weaver

Ann from Gorgeous Fabrics shares a tutorial on her blog, Gorgeous Things, showing how to create a bound edge on knit fabrics. This may be my favorite way to finish off the edge on knits. It’s so simple and… Read more ...

Tutorial: Perfect edgestitching and stitching in the ditch with your edgestitch foot

July 26, 2010 by Anne Weaver

The edgestitch foot is one of my absolute favorite specialty feet. Not only does it help you achieve perfectly straight lines of edgestitching, but you can also use it to stitch in the ditch. Amy from Badskirt gives a great… Read more ...

Tutorial: Create ruffles using a gathering foot

July 17, 2010 by Anne Weaver

Pam from Off the Cuff shows how to use a gathering foot to create ruffles. No more basting, no more gathering it in by hand, no more pulling your hair out trying to get the gathers even, and no more… Read more ...

Video tutorial: How to make a blind hem

July 15, 2010 by Anne Weaver

Kathleen from The TumtumTree and Grosgrain shares a video tutorial showing how to make a blind hem. A blind hem is barely noticeable from the front of the fabric and is often used to hem trousers or skirts. The secret… Read more ...

Tutorial: Perfect rolled hems on a serger

July 14, 2010 by Anne Weaver

Pam from Off the Cuff Style shows how she achieves a perfect rolled hem on a serger. Once you master the serged rolled hem, you can use it to quickly finish off the edges of napkins, tableclothes, or even… Read more ...

Tutorial: Decorative pocket opening or bound buttonhole

July 13, 2010 by Anne Weaver

Head over to Threads Magazine to find out how to make a decorative pocket opening or bound buttonhole. Go to the tutorial. [photo from Threads Magazine] [tags]sewing, tutorial, buttonhole, pocket, bound, decorative[/tags]… Read more ...

Tutorial: Lining pants and skirts

July 7, 2010 by Anne Weaver

OnlineFabricStore.net shares a tutorial on their blog telling how to add a lining to the next skirt or pair of pants that you make. A lining can serve as a layer between a scratchy fabric (like wool) and your skin,… Read more ...

Sewing Pattern Tutorial: How to sew a sleeve placket for a buttondown shirt

June 30, 2010 by Anne Weaver

Kathie from Ramonster and Ramonsterwear shares a tutorial over at Sew, Mama, Sew! showing how to make a sleeve placket for a buttondown shirt. Go to the tutorial. [photo from Sew, Mama, Sew!] … Read more ...

Tutorial: Finding and working with repeats in a fabric design

June 29, 2010 by Anne Weaver

Donna Babylon, author of Decorating Sewlutions, shares some tips at Sew4Home for finding and working with repeats in the designs printed on fabrics. Go to the article. [photo from Sew4Home] [tags]sewing, tutorial, fabric, repeat, motif[/tags]… Read more ...

Tutorial: How to make thread bars for garment closures

June 27, 2010 by Anne Weaver

Susan Khalje shares a tutorial at Threads Magazine’s website for making thread bars for garment closures. A thread bar is a sturdier version of a crocheted thread chain, and can be used in place of a metal “eye” in a… Read more ...

Read all about it: Tips for sewing knits, plus a tutorial for a mock coverstitch

June 26, 2010 by Anne Weaver

Knit fabrics have a reputation for being difficult to work with, but really I think it’s just a matter of them behaving differently under the needle than other fabrics. Not harder, just different and requiring some adjustments in the tools… Read more ...

Tutorial: Easy way to turn a strap right side out

June 8, 2010 by Anne Weaver

Making straps seems like such a quick little step in a sewing project – until it’s time to turn them right side out. Rae from Made By Rae shares a new trick she learned that makes this annoying step a… Read more ...

Tutorial: Easy workaround for a busted zipper

May 27, 2010 by Anne Weaver

Polly from Helping Little Hands shows an easy fix for a busted zipper that doesn’t involve ripping out the zipper and putting in a new one. Instead, she adds hook & eye closures to the zipper flap. Granted, that doesn’t… Read more ...