From my studio last week: June 7, 2011
So after last week’s test run of the bike shorts, I had planned to make piles and piles of bike shorts for my daughter. And I did get one made, and photo’d it along the way so I could write… Read more ...
Tutorial: Shorten a too-long tee without hemming
I’ll be the first one to say that I can’t stand a t-shirt that’s too short, but they can also sometimes be too long Lizzie from Cotton and Curls shows a fun way to shorten the length of a t-shirt… Read more ... Tutorial: How to sew a blind hem when you don’t have a blind hem foot
If you want to sew a blind hem, a blind hem foot is helpful in keeping everything lined up just so. But Julie from julie-k shares a quick how-to on her blog showing us that you don’t actually… Read more ... Tutorial: My tried and true method for elastic casings
Elastic threaded through a casing is a quick, easy way to cinch in fabric. It creates pretty gathers that are also stretchy. It’s most often used on a waistline, but you can also use it to gather in the hems… Read more ... Tutorial: Sew a rolled hem on a sewing machine
Jill from Made It On Monday shows how to make a rolled hem on your sewing machine. The narrow hem is perfect when finishing curved edges or floppy fabrics. She uses a rolled hem foot to make it easy. Get … Read more ... My Singer Sew Very Easy House Party
I’m a little obsessed with sewing. Given the smallest break in the conversation, I’ll talk your ear off about this style of little girl dress or that shape of a neckline, bias tape and foldover elastic, exposed zippers, and… Well,… Read more ... Tutorial: Craft”tee” Tote bag from a t-shirt
Megan from Brassy Apple guest blogs over at Liberate Creativity with a tutorial showing how to make her Craft”tee” tote bag out of a t-shirt. This is such a cute tote! The body of the bag is easily made from… Read more ... Tutorial: Finished unfinished hem for knits
Jennifer Brasher from Two Butterflies shares a tutorial on her blog showing how she creates a finished unfinished hem for knits. It keeps the raw edge which is very fashionable right now, but it also has a finished edge further… Read more ... Sewing Pattern Get the tip: Cutting open a buttonhole
So you’ve sewn the perfect buttonhole, and now it’s time to cut the slit in the middle. This is such a nerve-racking step! Sarah from Modern Country Style guest blogs at Pickup Some Creativity in the Sewing 101 series with… Read more ... Tutorial: Add pockets to an existing garment
How many times have you found “the perfect jacket” only to discover that it has no pockets? The perfect jacket quickly becomes “the almost-perfect jacket”. Natalina on Instructables shows how to add in seam pockets to an existing jacket or… Read more ... Sewing Tutorial: Add side seam pockets to a skirt (or dress or tunic)
Elizabeth fromSimple Simon & Co. shares a tutorial on her blog showing how to she added a pair of side seam pockets to a circle skirt that she made. You can use this same technique to add side seam pockets… Read more ... Tutorial: Stretch knit skirt with rows of ruffles
Abby from Morning by Morning Productions shares a tutorial for making a cute ruffled skirt. It’s made from a stretchy knit fabric with an easy foldover waistband. No buttons, zippers, or elastic. Just rows of fabulous ruffles on a comfy… Read more ... Tutorial: Easy throw pillow cover
Ginger from Literally Inspired shows how to make an easy throw pillow cover. Because it’s made entirely from straight seams with no buttons, zippers, or complicated closures, this is a great project for a beginning sewist. Get the how-to.… Read more ... Sewing Tutorial: Back button closure for a dress or shirt
Elizabeth from Simple Simon and Company shares a tutorial on her blog showing how she creates a button closure for the back of a dress or shirt. A slit at the center seam is held together at the top with… Read more ... Tutorial: Blind hem
A blind hem is a magic little hem for skirts and trousers. Most of the stitching is actually on the hem allowance, with just the littlest of stitches on the front of the garment itself. They’re barely visible, hence the… Read more ...