Patterns, Techniques, Articles, Blogs, and other resources to learn how to sew
Say a pattern calls for 1.5 yards of 44″ wide fabric. How much would you need of 56″ wide fabric? What about 36″ wide fabric? This handy yardage conversion chart by Rostitchery will help prevent complicated algebra in the fabric store. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust your totals to account for directional fabric or large or odd-shaped pattern pieces. Get the conversion chart.
[tags]sewing, fabric, yardage, conversion, chart[/tags]
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 have a quilt top that measures 97″ – if I add 4″ all around for backing & batting it will be 105 square – how do I figure yardage if using 110″ backing?
Thank you.
Rose Womack
I’m not an expert quilter by any means, but I think you could just get 110 inches (3 yards?) of 110″ wide fabric and still have a few inches to spare. You might want to take the quilt to a local quilt shop and have them measure for you. You’d get the extra benefit of having everyone there ooh and ahhh over your creation.