Patterns, Techniques, Articles, Blogs, and other resources to learn how to sew
Carla from The Scientific Seamstress has teamed up with Jennifer Paganelli from Sis Boom to create a free downloadable pattern for their Bosco Bowtie. The pattern is offered in celebration of Jennifer Paganelli’s new book, Girls’ World: Twenty-One Pretty Sewing Projects to Make for Little Girls and includes a template for creating perfect pleats. Get the free pattern from Sis Boom.
[photo from The Scientific Seamstress]
I’m always tempted by the pretty velvets at the fabric store. So much texture! And the way the fibers catch the light! But sewing on velvet is trickier than you’d think. That nap that lends beautiful texture also likes to slip and crawl. That nap can also spell disaster if you cut a piece the wrong direction. That isn’t to say you shouldn’t use buy that velvet and sew it into something gorgeous, you just need to go into your velvet sewing project prepared. And Melissa at Melly Sews has a post that takes you step by step through sewing on velvet.
Velvet is such a luscious fabric, especially for winter sewing projects. Of course there are velvet Christmas sewing projects – stockings, tree skirts, santa hats – but velvet is beautiful for all winter. Think of all the gorgeous velvet dresses, evening bags, hair accessories, even pillows and other home décor that you see all winter long.
Melly Sews’ post gives you the tips and tricks you need to know in order for your velvet sewing project to end up a success. There are types of projects better suited for velvets, and kinds of projects to avoid. She describes the different types of velvet available. And she also tells the best way to lay out and cut your pattern pieces from velvet fabric. Her tutorial also covers marking, pressing, and of course sewing that beautiful fabric. There’s also a video included in case that’s your preferred method for learning.
Head over to Melly Sews to learn how to sew on velvet fabric.
And if you want to learn more about that lovely blue velvet dress shown, she has a post that tells more about it including 2 ways to style it depending on if you want to be more dressy or more casual.
[photo credit: Melly Sews]
I am amazed by the meticulousness of the instructions. I think even a beginner to sewing could competently construct this bowtie. And it is just great now that I have it on file that I can make it in different sizes, confident that it will turn out exactly the size displayed in your print-off. I could have made this without the instructions but I would probably have had to readjust my measurements and hence wasted a good deal of time. So thank you so much for this and if you have any more free downloadables I would love to know about them. Also your book for girls looks fab so cant wait until I have a grandaughter to make for and will then order it so that was good putting the link on the pattern page!