Patterns, Techniques, Articles, Blogs, and other resources to learn how to sew
Tutorial: How to install an exposed zipper
Sometimes you want a zipper to be concealed (invisible zipper), but it’s also fun to make your zipper a standout part of the design of a garment. An exposed zipper can do that. Maddie Flanigan shares a tutorial at Bernina’s We All Sew showing how you can install an exposed zipper.
Click the link below to go to her tutorial:
How To Insert An Exposed Zipper, by Maddie Flanigan
[photo from Maddie Flanigan on We All Sew]
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]
Had to share this with the sewing group I run!!!! When I was in the Sewing Class at school (which I hated as the teacher reckoned she knew what she was doing but my Grandma – a Tailoress showed me different ways) I designed a ‘play-suit’ it was Blue with a white collar and cuffs on short sleeves and- as was the fashion in the 1960’s, I wanted an exposed zip. EVERYTIME I put the zip in the teacher ripped it off, damaging the fabric and told me I had to put it in Properly. I loved my fabric and my design but I never finished it and threw it away eventually (and our parents didn’t have money to waste in those days) – all children learn differently and have different ideas – teacher, please be aware – sometimes the kids know what they are doing better than you do!!!! …..and do not suppress creativity just because you don’t understand what they are trying to do!